Re: Virus Protection Problem?

From: R. McCarty (PcEngWork-NoSpam__at_mindspring.com)
Date: 09/24/04 

Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 16:20:13 GMT

Just to add a different take on Firewalls & Security software.

Symantec can still be an acceptable choice. However, before blindly
locking step with Norton, investigate other vendors. My only caveat
is that I still cannot use and recommend McAfee. After their recent
email debacle, you still have to watch out for McAfee and it's frequent
over zealous actions. Symantec has their problems as well, updates
and re-installs can cause Registry problems. Norton also has a big
problem with memory usage. Nis is still running 7-8 processes and
taking up 35+ Megabytes of memory.

 Everyone has a personal preference. I used to work in a company
that used McAfee. It destroyed more desktop setups than viruses.
So even today if they offered me a Free copy, I'd have to think real
hard before installing it on my main system. At least they had the sense
to drop the company name Network Associates and go back to being
just "McAfee".

 Zone Alarm free is fine. The only downfall with it is most users aren't
too savvy with what to Allow or Block. So if you set it up go ahead
and trigger most of the common access programs and define the actions.
I've had to spend time with users helping them to adjust their program
actions when things get blocked that shouldn't be. For some reason
whenever the action box appears, people tend to block everything.

That's where Norton Firewall is a better choice. It's internal table of
"AutoConfigured" programs and services makes it easy on the user.
So I can both recommend Symantec and kick them in the pants in the
same posting.

"Alex Nichol" <alexn.mvpdts@ntlworld.delete.com> wrote in message
news:c1h8l01c6uch5gdqbunp1a4rjftf8pqk5a@4ax.com...
> NoNoBadDog! wrote:
>
>>Simply buy Norton Personal Firewall. It is the best on the market..and
>>yes,
>>it is better than ZoneAlarm (for all the ZA fans out there, test results
>>validate that NPF blocks more than ZA).
>
> And who knows what else. I have got to the point that nothing from
> Symantec is allowed near any machine I have dealings with
>
> ZA is quite adequate - and has the merit of being Free (I have not
> really seen benefit from the Pro, pay for version)
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
> Bournemouth, U.K. Alexn@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)

Relevant Pages

  • Re: choosing firewall and antivirus: Norton or McAfee ?Something else
    ... McAfee is notorious for screwing up Outlook Express and Norton puts too many hooks into the operating system and is a terrible resource hog. ... criteria for choosing a good firewall and a good antivirus program? ... stealthed the stealth option of little value? ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: FYI: Security Problems Plague XP SP2 via Symantec/McAfee
    ... Because eTrust & your Firewall are complimentary programs, ... the same company what happened isn't a violation of Firewall rules. ... >> Norton System Security, Norton Utilities, etc. are another thing ... >> Symantec has definitely lost their reputation in the past 5 years or so. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Symantec Common Client update prevents OE retrieving mail
    ... I turned email scanning back on and tried sending and receiving in OE. ... access them after disabling Norton Personal Firewall. ... I followed the instructions for "To restore the default General and Trojan Horse firewall rules." ... I have version 2005 and downloaded ISRIRstr.exe This is on the Symantec web page. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress)
  • Re: FYI: Security Problems Plague XP SP2 via Symantec/McAfee
    ... AVG is fine and Gary is absolutely correct on Norton ... products as well as McAfee products. ... I only use GoBack for my ... 98SE and although it is made by Symantec it was created by Roxio and only ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Windows Security Center Shows non exisitng Symantec firewall
    ... After several hours of chatroom discussion with Symantec suport people, ... I still see the same info about Norton Internet Security ... being ON in the firewall section if I turn off Windows firewall. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
Quantcast