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General discussion

Norton AntiVirus, help!

Apr 7, 2005 7:52AM PDT

I just got a new computer (Dell) a couple or few months ago, and the free subscription on my Norton AntiVirus is up. It says I can renew it for 52.77 canadian (One year), or I can buy it for 49.99 american.

I tried looking on the Norton site, but I couldn't find the information. I was just wondering if you actually buy the software for Norton, do you still have to pay a monthly fee? Because, it seems strange that I would have to may 50 dollars every year for my Norton, when I could just buy it for 65ish and never have to pay monthly.

Thanks for any help!Happy

Discussion is locked

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No, you are buying the license
Apr 7, 2005 8:19AM PDT

that allows you to continue using Norton's products, and you do not have to pay a monthly fee.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Still" have to pay a monthly fee. To my knowledge neither Norton's nor any other non-corporate anti-virus software is leased on a monthly fee.

Is that what you meant? Are you paying a monthly fee?

Mark

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Fees.
Apr 7, 2005 8:55AM PDT

Well, I thought I would be.. because my windows came with Norton on it, and it came with three months (I think, maybe it was two). Now, I can resubcribe for 12 months, or I can buy it for 15 dollars more, plus shipping I guess. I just assumed where it says I was paying 52.77 for 12 months that it would be a yearly fee. If I said montly fee, I meant yearly Happy Does this make sense? For there to be a fee to pay every 12 months?

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Antivirus programs
Apr 7, 2005 8:25PM PDT

require updated virus definitions as new malware is created. Without the latest definitions, the program only searches for the viruses already in its database. Buying the product or renewing your subscription allows you to download the latest definitions. Once a year, you either need to buy the latest version or renew your subscription for the program to be any good.

There are also free antivirus programs available. AVG is one. Avast is another. If you decide to switch to another program, be sure to uninstall or disable Norton. It is not a good idea to have two antivirus programs running at the same time.

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Antivirus programs..
Apr 7, 2005 8:28PM PDT

You mentioned some free ones, AVG and Avast, are they good? Do they work well? I have had some free ones (not those) and I didn't find they were very good.

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Yes they are very good
Apr 7, 2005 9:27PM PDT

I can't say about Avast personally as I have never used it, but all the reports I have seen are good.

I use AVG 7 myself, it is free and a very good Anti-Virus program. It's available from http://www.grisoft.com

As Gail says, if you do decide to go for a different AV, it would be better to uninstall Nortons before installing the new one.

However, Norton's is notorious for being difficult to uninstall. The best way is to go to Symantec's web site at http://www.symantec.com and search through for uninstall instructions. They may in the end just say use Add/Remove in the Control Panel, but it is better to check first, in my view.

Good luck,

Mark

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Thank you!
Apr 8, 2005 1:04AM PDT

You've all been very helpful. Thanks for the tip to check the website first. Happy

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Hmm
Apr 8, 2005 4:40AM PDT

Are you sure that it is free? I downloaded the file, and it says that I need a registration number that should have been emailed to me or came with the purchase.

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Sorry
Apr 8, 2005 4:54AM PDT

Sorry about the triple posting, but I just got Avast (AVG didn't seem free..). Now, my computer keeps saying I don't have a firewall, and yes, I only have the Avast antivirus. Is there a specific firewall I should download to work with Avast, or should I enable the Windows XP Firewall?

Thanks.

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Can we calrify this a bit?
Apr 8, 2005 6:32AM PDT

Pink, (sorry, I can't call you pinkcows, Happy )

First,

AVG "is" free. The web site for their free version is here;
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

But I have to agree that their web site is now not very clear, and they have buried the free version away. That's a shame because they have a good free product there, but it seems commercial concerns are now dictating their philosophy.

However, as you now have Avast, you will do well with that.

Next;

Norton's. In your first post you said you had Norton's Anti-Virus. Did you have Norton's firewall as well? EG was it actually Norton's Internet Security Suite?

I ask because if you have disabled or uninstalled Nortons and it had included a firewall, then it seems you may have disabled/uninstalled the firewall as well.

For the time being Please turn on the Windows Firewall, asap.

Depending on your answer, the following may apply;

1) - Re-enable Norton's firewall, then turn off the Windows firewall.

2) - If you have uninstalled Norton's firewall and do not want to re-install it, or re-install the whole Norton's package, keep the Windows firewall. It is better than having no firewall, but it is not the best.

3) - As 2, but download and install a 3rd party firewall, and when it is installed, turn off the Windows firewall.

There are many good firewalls around, and a lot of free ones. The one I use is ZoneAlarm, free version from;

http://www.zonelabs.com.

Let us know what the situation is.

Mark

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(NT) (NT) Er...... calrify means, of course, clarify !!
Apr 8, 2005 6:33AM PDT
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Clarifying..
Apr 8, 2005 12:30PM PDT

Yes, I did have the firewall too. I assumed because the AntiVirus was out of date that the firewall was also. So I uninstalled everything Norton related. I did turn on the Windows firewall right away, because I figured it was better than nothing.

I think I have heard of ZoneAlarm before, or I might have had it on my older computer at one point.

Now that I have told you everything (I think..), should I go ahead and get ZoneAlarm or another firewall?

Thanks!

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I have Zone alarm and it works fine
Apr 9, 2005 9:51PM PDT

I have used a variety of versions for years and find it suits my needs. If you do decide to download and install it, be sure to disable Windows firewall. Just like with antivirus programs, it isn't a good idea to run two firewalls at the same time.

When I've uninstalled Norton, I went in the registry and removed or deleted anything with the name Symantec. I exported a copy of the registry first. I'm not sure if the uninstaller from Norton will remove these entries or not. Be very careful if you change anything in the registry. Do something wrong and your computer may not work.

I also found Windows security center to be a pain. It doesn't recognize all antivirus programs or firewalls and gives error messages when it shouldn't. So I disabled it.