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General discussion

NAV versus NOD32

by Dewey Jan 7, 2004 7:14AM PST

I am looking for some "impartial" personal reviews comparing Norton Anti-Virus and NOD32 (by ESET) preferably from those of you who have tried both.

I have been a satisfied NAV user for some time but recently NOD32 was brought to my attention. I downloaded a 30-day eval copy and it seemed to work very well. Since my subscription for NAV Pro 2003 runs out in a couple of months I'd like to consider other alternatives.

Please don't suggest "links" to website reviews. I already checked the reviews at various websites but generally they are biased one way or the other so all you end up with is a 50-50 opinion. What I am looking for are personal opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
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Re:NAV versus NOD32. I abandoned the NAV ship over a year ago.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 7, 2004 7:24AM PST

Of course, Symantec and I haven't been on the best of terms as you see in my old discovery at http://www.bugnet.com/alerts/bugalert_010110.html (Yes, not a review, but just for fodder.)

For now I use a collection of Anti-Parasite tools like you read at http://reviews.cnet.com/4002-7600_7-5082864.html (read the Hot Topic) and my personal and home setup is some Linksys router (poor persons firewall) and on the machines the Anti-Parasite tools (Spybot's immunizing as well as SpywareBlaster.) For the AntiVirus it's Free AvG from http://www.grisoft.com and to top it all off, hpguru's HOSTS file is installed on every machine.

Bob

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Thanks Bob........
by Dewey Jan 7, 2004 8:43AM PST

Interesting article on NAV. I will check out the Grisoft website.

Just as a further note, (for those who may be interested in keeping their machines clean), in addition to my AV software (presently NAV), I am running ZA-Pro, AdSubtract Pro, Ad-Aware, SpyBot, and SpywareBlaster. I am happy to say I have not had ANY problems with any of my computers in over a year.

(Sure beats having to re-format like in the "old days!")

Thanks again!

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Re:NAV versus NOD32
by Willy Jan 7, 2004 9:10AM PST

I've used both and found them to deliever. The NAV2002 version started to act funny and it really wouldn't settle down and to the best of my knowledge at no fault of my own. I finally gave up on it as the cures Symantec offered didn't work, so I looked around. I tried many of the shareware or demoware out there. NOD32 seemed to fit the bill and I used it for the 30-days but I really didn't feel comfortable paying to a co. in OZland, so I tried other AVs like AVG, RAV, Panda, Proland, BitDefender, etc. and they seemed to work but I got just that more days w/o buying one Happy Happy I finally accepted AVG only because it was free. As for NOD32, I never had a problem with it. -----Willy

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Re:NAV versus NOD32
by Edward ODaniel Jan 7, 2004 11:58AM PST

While you will likely get a couple more here who have actually tried it, your best bet for AV specific questions would be over in the "Virus and Security alerts" forum at http://reviews.cnet.com/5204-6132-0.html?forumID=32&start=0

With some of the people over there, if they haven't tried it they will gladly download it and give it a test drive just to let you know their personal opinions.

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Comparison
by Angela Jan 8, 2004 11:29AM PST

Hi Dewey

I am an ex Symantec Norton AV user and a current ESET NOD32 user.

Whilst there is nothing actually wrong with Norton AV, there are a few reasons why I have found NOD32 V2 to be more user friendly.

Best of luck deciding what you want to do. Don't disregard NOD32 simply because you have to pay someong in Australia for it as Willy did. He has missed out on a great product because he likes to stay in his own safety zone. Viruses are global not local. By the way I'm in Australia.

Reasons following:

Cheers

Angela

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1. SUBSCRIPTION
by Angela Jan 8, 2004 11:31AM PST

NORTON offers online subscription ONLY and if you ever have to do a reformat and don't save the right file, then you have lost you subscription (a real ****** only 2 months into a 12 month subscription). Try spending hours and hours on the telephone to Symantec to explain why you need your subscription reactivated and you'll just pay again to do it online.

NOD32 can be subscribed online or by paying a corporate subscription by cheque and the user is issued via email with a username and password for the subscription period. If you have to reformat you just reenter your username and password to continue your existing subscription. If you do happen to lose it a quick email or telephone call to NOD32 will provide you with a new email confirming your username and password.

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2. SCANNING SPEED
by Angela Jan 8, 2004 11:32AM PST

NORTON is very slow at scanning for viruses and therefore is a waste of valuable time as you should not carry out other tasks wilst performing the system scan as open files cannot be scanned.

NOD32 has a very fast scan engine and what nortons takes half an hour to scan NOD32 will do in about 2 minutes.

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3. PRICE
by Angela Jan 8, 2004 11:33AM PST

NORTON annual subscription is around AUD$70 for virus definitions ONLY. Depending on what version you are running, you may need to pay extra to updates to your software to enable you to continue receiving virus definition updates and when your version becomes around 4 years old, you will have to purchase a whole to software product as your current one will become unsuported like GOLD or 95 already is.

NOD32 all software product and virus definition updates are included in the annual subscription of around AUD$70. If a new complete version is released it is free to all subscribers who just need to unistall the old, install the new and enter there existing subscription details.

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4. SCANNING ACCURACY
by Angela Jan 8, 2004 11:34AM PST

Both NORTON and NOD32 have a 100% detection rate for viruses in the wild, however whilst running two PCs one with Norton and the other with NOD32, I found NOD32 to be the first one to detect a new virus, even detecting a new virus before it new what it was, NORTON did't find the virus until the next day. This is partially due to Norton only update the virus definations on a weekly basis unless a major breakout occurs whereas NOD32 update them daily.

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NAV versus NAV (They shot themselves in the foot today.)
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 8, 2004 9:28PM PST
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Good Timing!
by Dewey Jan 8, 2004 11:15PM PST

I must have just missed this problem because I decided to dump my remaining 5 months with Norton and switch over to NOD32.

As Angela points out it is a GREAT program but in some cases she "under-rates" it, it is better than she describes. Not only does NOD32 have a 100% wild-virus capture rate, it has done this an unprecedented 5 years in a row. Also, in addition to being much faster, you can set it to check for new virus definitions or updates not just every day but every hour! Rather than waiting for a week for new virus definitions (NAV), you can get them virually in "real-time" as NOD32 adds them to their list.

One final thing (but not least) - Technical Support. While Norton charges you $30 for advice on how to fix their mistakes, NOD tech support is not only free but fast. I e-mailed them a question and had an answer in two hours - heck, you can wait two hours on the phone just waiting for a Norton tech-rep!

Anyway, I'm sold on NOD32. Thanks to all for your input.

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