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Resolved Question

Second anitvirus program?

Aug 14, 2011 3:42AM PDT

Hello,

I am a college student and the university I will be attending this fall requires that I download the Symantec Endpoint Anitvirus protection with a firewall onto my computer in order to use the ResNet internet infrastructure they have set up. From what I can tell Symantec Endpoint isn't one of the best anitvirus programs out there and I was wondering if I should download a second antivirus program in order to insure the security of my computer. Maybe Norton or a free antivirus program like Avast should do the trick? I know that running two antivirus programs can often lead to malfunctions between the two programs running on the same machine but I just don't feel like I am safe using a second rate security protection software alone. What are your opinions?

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bef18 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Re: 2nd Antivirus Program
Aug 14, 2011 4:58AM PDT

bef..

After letting us know the university requires "Symantec Endpoint Protection", you stated:

'From what I can tell Symantec Endpoint isn't one of the best anitvirus programs out there and I was wondering if I should download a second antivirus program in order to insure the security of my computer. Maybe Norton or a free antivirus program like Avast should do the trick?'

If you have faith in Norton products, you should have no problem with "Symantec Endpoint Protection". Symantec and Norton are one and the same. (See Symantec's ad for, "Norton AntiVirus" )

With the above said, if the university requires SEP, I would stick with it and not add another. Running two concurrently isn't going to give you added protection. In fact, you run the risk of added problems. To include crashes, freezes, false positives and over all instability issues.

Bob made the MOST important point of all when he said, "The first line of defense is us. And we know that no matter what protection we install, nothing is bullet proof so why not play it safe and not do anything risky?"

Best of luck in the fall!
Carol

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Excellent feedback
Aug 15, 2011 10:29AM PDT

I would just like to say that the information everyone gave me regarding this post was very enlightening. I agree 100% that the security of a system lies within the people who operate it. Obviously I am worried about safety on the internet and so I know this piece of advice well. The only disagreement that I have is Carol's statement:


'If you have faith in Norton products you should have no problem with "Symantec Endpoint Protection." Symantec and Norton are one and the same.'


Although Norton and Symantec are basically "one and the same" there is no reason for me to expect that every product from either the past or in the future will be satisfactory in the consumer market based on previous faith in the product line.

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Regarding all Symantec products: We ARE in agreement!
Aug 16, 2011 12:11AM PDT

bef..

'Although Norton and Symantec are basically "one and the same" there is no reason for me to expect that every product from either the past or in the future will be satisfactory in the consumer market based on previous faith in the product line.'

We are in agreement! It was my attempt at pointing out Symantec owns Norton. I "shudda cudda" worded it differently. Happy

Carol

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Answer
My opinion is that the user is more important than software.
Aug 14, 2011 3:47AM PDT

Every once in awhile you find a new computer user that thinks these antivirus and firewall will save us from our blunders.

The first line of defense is us. And we know that no matter what protection we install, nothing is bullet proof so why not play it safe and not do anything risky?

But you do bring up a good point. Do you think it's time that the Personal Computer era comes to a close? That is, should the next PC be locked down so nothing can be tampered with? Something like a PS3 or Xbox?
Bob