A new low for Norton.

[Seth]

- Vista system running Norton.

- Could ping out, but no browser or program could access the net.

- Only other problem was that MS Word wouldn't open and stopped responding.

- Confirmed the system was free of malware.

 

Norton didn't show in the tray, but all it's processes were running. Numerous troubleshooting steps did nothing. Safe Mode With Networking didn't help with either issue.

 

After trying a couple of other long shots, I opened word again. Word opened to a blank screen with no functions and again showed "Not responding" at the top. I sat back staring at the screen in frustration. I then noticed that in the bottom left of the Word window, a barely readable message said "virus scan":confused:

 

Now with everything I did, I would have suspected Norton if it was just a web access issue, but what about that odd Word problem? That virus scan message could only come from Norton, so I disabled it's services and processes from msconfig, but the issue remained. That's when I had enough and used the removal tool to rid the computer of Norton. On reboot, all internet access was restored:)

 

Now the crazy part? After the removal, Word came back to life as well.

 

In the words of a fellow tech, "I'd rather have a a virus on my computer than Norton".

[Goku]

What version of Norton was it? The newer version is rumored to be better than its predecessor.

 

-- Goku

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Do you mean the newer version is even better at completely bringing a system to its knees Goku?

[Dalo Harkin]

I hate Norton with a passion - and to coin another phrase from someone (Clarkson)

'As something to live with everyday - I would rather have bird flu'

[Goku]

No, I meant it for the better. I was relying on a review that was put by Scotty some time ago. :)

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

Goku,

 

Given it was a Vista system around one year old, it had to be 2007 or 2008.

 

...and Symantec always says that the new version takes care of customer's concerns. Well, at least that one customer concern about moving the scan button 1/8" lower:D

[Goku]

Sorry, confused myself. I was stating that on the basis of Steve a.k.a stevie85's review. Scotty's review was about Comodo.

 

Steve, I believe, still uses Norton and vouches loyally to it. This might be a good time to bring up some poits of debate with him.

 

...and Symantec always says that the new version takes care of customer's concerns. Well, at least that one customer concern about moving the scan button 1/8" lower

For that, the customer will soon have the button at the bottom of their Windows if they continue their policy. :p

 

Seriously though, despite its awful reputation as a resource hog, Norton still has a good detection rate; of course it does not bear Avira or Nod32 in that field!

 

If I had the bucks, I would buy Avira's Premium Suite. It definitely looks a great package to me for Internet Security. :)

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

For that, the customer will soon have the button at the bottom of their Windows if they continue their policy. :p

:D

 

Seriously though, despite its awful reputation as a resource hog, Norton still has a good detection rate; of course it does not bear Avira or Nod32 in that field!

 

I agree it has a decent detection rate, but that is overshadowed by other profound deficiencies.

[Plastic Nev]

Symantec have been told time and again about its problems with Norton and its resource hogging slowing machines to a virtual stand, (there is a novel concept! a virtual stand in a virtual machine existing in virtual reality :D )

However Symantec seem to take little notice, a great shame when in its earlier days it was one of the best I believe.

[Barryboy]

So in your experience what is the best AV to have my isp is virgin and I use their AV but it only suports 3 computers. I allready have three am about to build another and my Daughter has just come home from abroad with 2 laptops, One of my laptops I use mainly approx 90% of the time on a 3 dongle and thats the one I get the spam emails on?

Daft question did not search through threads enough.

Edited October 20, 2008 by Barryboy

[Dalo Harkin]

Norton did used to be very good, but I would only say on the corporate level.

 

I am guessing that you have a router - and if it has a built in firewall then thats more than sufficient - if you are looking for free AV then AVAST or AVIRA are 2 of the best.

If you are looking for paid AV then you cant get any better than NOD32