Norton AV

[bri]

Hi all
I don't actually know if this is a problem or not, so I figured I'd throw it out there to you all and get your thoughts on it.
I have Norton antivirus on my PC. (Previously, I've always used AVG, but my old computer packed up and this one came with Norton already installed). Anyway, I update it on a daily basis and it used to download the new protections, definitions or whatever they're called. They would always be about 3 to 4 hundred kilobytes. Now, within the last week, updating on a daily basis, they've leapt up to 4 to 5 THOUSAND kilobytes. So the burning question is, am I downloading new definitions or (horror of horrors), am I downloading viruses - or what the heck AM I downloading?
I know you can't really answer, as you don't know the computer, but it just seems a helluva jump for the size of the downloads, so I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and, as I said at the start, what are your general views on this? (Might go back to AVG).
Thanks
Bri
PS The computer does seem to be working ok.

[levi2]

well i stopped using norton years ago basically coz it slows yer system down dunno bout definitions though i could understand it if you were only updating ie once every 1 or 2 weeks is it only definitions its downloading maybe its updaing your prog aswell

[oldsage]

it depends on what system you are using.xp or vista?i know quite a number of people have had problems with norton,and have uninstalled it and used something else.i have tried quite a few myself,but settled on eset,s nod32.i know this is not freeware!,but for peace of mind,you wont find better!.you can download a trial of this program.try it out,and if you think it worthwhile purchase it.one thing though,only have 1 antivirus on your system at a time,otherwise they may conflict with each other.nod can work quietly in the background,and you wont even know it,s there. hope this might help you.cheers steve

[thingyy]

It probably is updating a years worth of updates if its 2007 version.
Go to the Nortons Symantec web site and you will find a bit of software to fix errrors in it.
I had nothing but trouble with mine till I downloaded the fix.

[Tubbs]

oldsage said:

it depends on what system you are using.xp or vista?i know quite a number of people have had problems with norton,and have uninstalled it and used something else.i have tried quite a few myself,but settled on eset,s nod32.i know this is not freeware!,but for peace of mind,you wont find better!.you can download a trial of this program.try it out,and if you think it worthwhile purchase it.one thing though,only have 1 antivirus on your system at a time,otherwise they may conflict with each other.nod can work quietly in the background,and you wont even know it,s there. hope this might help you.cheers steve

I agree 100% Steve, you won't find better than the Nod32, stay away from the freeware ones, even if you have had no trouble with them it could be just down to pure luck.

[bri]

Thanx lads. Lot to check out there. Steve, I know about the conflict that may be caused when 2 av applications are installed...but that's about all I do know. The rest is trial and error (and a lot of those). Off to have a look round now. Thanks again.
Take care all and a Very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you.
Regards
Bri

[levi2]

Re nod32 i have this on me sys i dunno why because it let thru a virus called virut.o and once you get it you might aswell reformat your drives cause it corrupts every .exe extension on your sys even nod32 The one that found it and is rated top in most mags is kaspersky but when i reformatted my drives i put nod32 back on dont ask me why prolly its summit ive used for a few years after changing from norton

[oldsage]

did you set your nod32 up to download new virus detections each hour?.i find this makes sure you dont get caught out with a new virus,and make sure it is set to detect suspect programs and files this is an adaptive program that will stop and quarantine any file or program that doesn,t act in a distinct fashion.you can then send off the alert notice,and they will check to see if it is a virus. cheers steve

[levi2]

its set to download every hour basically what happened was it found the virus but couldnt kill it and nod32 ended up getting corrupted. im a stickler for running AVs spyware blah blah

[Steptoe]

I've been recently using a program called SUPERAntispyware, there claim is:
"SUPERAntiSpyware is designed to remove ALL the spy ware, NOT just the easy ones!"
And it does!! I ran Avg anti spy ware and then Spybot which supposedly found all the spy threats, I then ran Superantispyware and it found a bunch more, including a nasty vundo!!!

It's a free program
www.superantispyware.com

[gibbo]

Thanks John, That's a new one for me. SUPERAntiSpyware sure does the job as claimed.
I have a heap of security stuff already but I guess you can never have too many security-tools!
A friend of mine once told me he was so paranoid about web-borne infections that he even wore condoms on his fingers when he typed! lol
Cheers, Dave.

[bri]

Just downloaded the latest Norton definitions...5000kb. At this rate, it's gonna have downloaded 150megs in under a month. Silly or what? Think I'm gonna have a rethink about Norton - which leads to a question. Is this SUPERAntispyware just that, or does it include antivirus stuff in the download as well?
Looking forward to your replies.
Rgds
Bri