Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

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Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by Marianna Schmudlach Nov 26, 2003 2:59AM PST

I have recently been informed about a free antivirus software service from Grisoft. The person has highly recommended it, but I have never heard about it.

Never heard of AVG 6 FREE edition?? Updates are here at least for several years

I would choose AVG 6 FREE over Symantec ! AVG free has NO tech support though ! You only will get tech support for the paid version.

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AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by Keith Marcotte Nov 26, 2003 3:01AM PST

AVG 6 free edition doesn't have tech support (what do you expect for free?). Some are saying that Symantec doesn't either. You may want to read this thread for more info. There is some uncertainty as to how long the free edition will be around. AVG 7 has no free version but Grisoft is currently supporting both releases.

Are you unhappy with NAV 2003? If you're happy with it, you can stay with NAV or you could still try AVG (it is free after all). Ensure that only one AV is active at a time (for real-time monitoring). Every computer is different so what works fine on one may not perform well on another. There are also the various bells and whistles and the user interface that might sway you one way or another. It all comes down to your preferences and what is important to you. AVG 6 is best of the free AVs but it isn't the best AV. However, many people use it with good/satisfactory results.

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Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by William Randall Nov 26, 2003 11:20AM PST

Ray,

From the FWIW department, I've used both, from AVG on Win98 to Norton 2002 on WinXP.

I've used several others on Win98. I'm still contemplating what do do when our sub runs out on the WinXP for Norton. I have several options and I MAY decide to go with AVG (free) on XP.

I've had NO problems with Norton 2002 on the XP, but I've read bad things about upgrades with Norton and I've yet to read anywhere that they have corrected their recent customer service fiasco.

I don't know what I'm saying except that many people have different opinions and some of us are not completely sure of our own.

William

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Symantec isn't fairing well. Look at the review and feedback at...

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 26, 2003 12:12PM PST

Version 2004's first words at http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_AntiSpam_2004/4505-3514_7-30524437-5.html were: "Norton's lackluster support"

The 2004 user reviews at http://reviews.cnet.com/Norton_Internet_Security_2004_PRO/4852-3514_7-30524435.html are not looking good.

"14%Thumbs Up 86%Thumbs Down"

I have never disparaged Symantec (much), but 2004 doesn't look like a good year.

Bob

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Re:Symantec isn't fairing well. Look at the review and feedback at...

by William Randall Nov 26, 2003 4:04PM PST

Bob,

I don't recall the site, but I think Marianna provided one and the reviews there were pretty much as you report. There did seem to be some question as to the authenticity of many of those reviews. Some claimed that others were out to "get" Norton with bad reviews.

I came away not knowing what to believe.

William

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Re:Re:Symantec isn't fairing well. Look at the review and feedback at...

by glenn30 Nov 26, 2003 10:48PM PST

Many people write many things... all I know is NAV has been good to me over the years and I plan to continue with NAV 2003. Don't know about all the chatter from some with 2004. Others seem to have no problems... suppose we need to order some more wool for paintballs!

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The Activation woes for Norton 2004.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 26, 2003 11:00PM PST

http://www.pcworld.co.nz/news.nsf/0/E2FCDF3EDB907A34CC256DD400636799?OpenDocument

"A glitch in this feature is causing some users of Norton Antivirus 2004, Norton Internet Security 2004, Norton Antispam 2004 and Norton SystemWorks 2004 to be asked for a product activation code every time their PCs are rebooted."

Why you would stick it out with Symantec when free alternatives are out there.

This does not appear to be a good year for Symantec.

Bob

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Bob and Glenn...

by William Randall Nov 27, 2003 5:42AM PST

Bob, I had thought of simply renewing the 2002 license for my wife's WinXP this time around and deciding next year the course of action to take at that time; in other words, NOT upgrading to 2004, simply paying for one more year of protection with 2002. I've been well pleased with the Norton 2002 that I ordered with the PC we had built locally in 12/02.

Overall, is it not true that Norton gets higher marks for catching the nasties versus AVG?

Glenn, are you SURE you are not pulling the WOOL over my eyes?

William

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(NT) Who? Me!!! ;)

by glenn30 Nov 27, 2003 7:53AM PST

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nt) No, your paintball stained evil twin :)

by William Randall Nov 28, 2003 10:18AM PST

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Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by Donna Buenaventura Nov 26, 2003 12:14PM PST

Hi Ray,

If your NAV is working fine, nothing is screwed (I mean if it does not conflict with other programs installed in your system), keep NAV 2003 but you can try AVG if you want. Just make sure you'll temporary disable NAV real-time protection and startup before installing AVG free version. Then you'll know if AVG is right or not right for you. It all depends on the needs of the users or how the AV satisfies them.

I'm also using NAV 2003 (in WinXP) & AVG 6 (in Win9 and must say satisfied with both. NAV gives what I want as an AV, no error, got no problem with their Support team. I don't have unanswered query from them. I also have NAV 2004 but it is not working fine. There are errors while running a manual scan and this error has no solution for now. That is why I go back to NAV 2003. Waiting for Symantec to solve the problem. I like NAV 2004 because it offers additional protection (Spyware, keyloggers, etc).

If you'll test AVG, have fun

Some reference that might help you to decide:
Most recent AV comparative reviews
Anti-Virus Software Review
The Anti-Virus test file - test your AV program for effectiveness

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Re:For several years

by Alan Copeland Nov 27, 2003 7:11AM PST

Norton's only shining star has been the stand alone AV. If they are having issues with 2004, then there is indeed a problem.

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Re:Re:For several years

by Donna Buenaventura Nov 28, 2003 12:19AM PST

The Knowledge Base of Symantec for 2004 speaks aloud There are issues that has not been resolved.

I think users of NAV 2003 or earlier should stay with it for now.

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(NT) Donna, thanks for update... those are my plans! :)

by glenn30 Nov 28, 2003 3:42AM PST

.

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nt) Mine too, Norton 2002 for one more year. TY Donna. :)

by William Randall Nov 28, 2003 6:07AM PST

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Re:Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by Ray Nov 28, 2003 12:03AM PST

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm not having any problems at all using NAV 2003 with XP or 98SE. So I guess the support issues with NAV that a lot of people are discussing doesn't really apply to me. Or at least not yet, and of course the free version of AVG doesn't provide support anyway. So, aside from cost factors I guess the biggest concern is does NAV 2003 outperform AVG 6.0 Free Edition? In other words does anyone have any performance data comparisons on the two? Or does anyone have some good links to check it out for myself? Thanks again for all the help.

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Re:Re:Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by Donna Buenaventura Nov 28, 2003 12:50AM PST

In other words does anyone have any performance data comparisons on the two? Or does anyone have some good links to check it out for myself?

I gathered some links or references and put them Security Software References - Articles/Review/Report/Polls which you can check.

Sorry if page is not presentable

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Re:Symantec vs. AVG 6.0 Free Edition

by dawillie Nov 26, 2003 1:18PM PST

i have been using AVG for nearly 4 years, started first with the free version AVG 6.0 then upgraded to the paid and now AVG 7.0.

as far as I know there is no move to discontinue the free version.

the only diff between AVG free and Norton paid is that Norton has a built in e-mail scanner.

all NAV defs being current, email goes from your ISP to the Norton Server where infected email has the attachment removed.

AVG 7.0 has this feature but regrettably AVG 6.0 does not.

it does however, subject to virus definitions being current, move the infected email once open to the virus vault.

this means that your system will not be infected if you open infected email.

david williams

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AVG 6.0 Free Edition here is scanning email.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 27, 2003 8:40AM PST

It's popped up more than a few times to note it detected such and has done its work.

There seems to be some confusion on this point.

Bob

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I recall some issue about AVG email scanning in the old forum...

by Keith Marcotte Nov 27, 2003 8:50AM PST

but I can't remember what it was. Some people said it worked and some said it didn't. Since I don't use Outlook Express as an email client, I wasn't affected and don't remember what the cause was (if it was found).

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Re:I recall some issue about AVG email scanning in the old forum...

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 27, 2003 9:22AM PST

It turned out to be a simple issue. It was turned off by the user because they read "OE 5.0" or such on a configuration screen. In spite of this, it still works in 6.0.

There was some side effect, but my memory about it faded with the old forum.

Bob

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It was about the "text" written by AVG underneath an outgoing e-mail

by Marianna Schmudlach Nov 28, 2003 12:40AM PST

nothing else - had nothing to do with the scanning !

The text by outgoing e-mails was:

"Outgoing mail is Certified Free"

Hope this helps - yeah - my memory is still good

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Re:It was about the

by William Randall Nov 28, 2003 10:11AM PST

Marianna,

"Hope this helps - yeah - my memory is still good"

Is this what I have to look forward to, selective memory?

William

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Re:Re:It was about the

by Marianna Schmudlach Nov 28, 2003 10:17AM PST

Is this what I have to look forward to, selective memory?

LOL - I know a LOT of people who have a "selective memory" - and they like it !!

Btw. "good memory"...... Happy Birthday and many happy returns !

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nt) Thank you Marianna and I APPRECIATE your tireless efforts here more than I can say. :)

by William Randall Nov 28, 2003 10:42AM PST

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