Re: Why does everybody seem to hate Symantec (Norton) ?

"Lisa" <0678768@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%232jPRlqGHHA.2464@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Anyone knows if any of these free products has a built in "parental control" feature like the one in Norton Internet security? If not, where can I get a good one, does not matter if it is free ort not.

Now, what do you suggest that I install for virus protection and firewall? I currently run Norton 2006 and it is killing my PC, very slow! I found this by chance last week and I restored my pc to original and was amazed how fast and lean it ran before I loaded Norton on it again!

Please give your input. Thanks.


<snip>

For Anti-Virus there are quite a few choices: AVG (free), Avast (free) which is what I use, AntiVir (I don't know if it's free or low cost, and eTrust. The heavy hitters are NOD32 and Kaspersky though I have heard some complaints lately about Kaspersky getting more resource heavy. Here is a website that compares AV products.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/home.html

For firewall there is Zone Alarm (free and paid), Sunbelt Software's Kerio Personal Firewall (free and paid. I currently use this) and one I just heard about which is getting good reviews - Comodo Personal Firewall. I am going to try that out on one of my installations to see how it is.

You should also have several other non viral anti-malware apps including Adaware SE, SpyBot S&D, SpywareBlaster (does not scan for malware but prevents it from getting installed) BHO Demon, and possibly Windows Defender.

Here are some useful links for dealing with malware:

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper's Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

The most important component in safe hex is the user. Most malware is installed because the user allow it to.

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html#III

http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/

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