OT: Which Internet Security System?

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
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I would like to know which internet security system is used and preferred by the forumites.

I am considering dumping the Norton when my renewal comes up next year.

I have no evidence any provider is any different, but as far as I'm concerned, Hell will be lined with Norton Internet Support Staff, with particular attention to those in the corporation who designed the hurdles and regulations of communication with the Firm. Please send me ten dollars for reading this thread. If you want a priority code to contact me, go to STuffNortoninhell.com, follow the onscreen instructions, and pick your nose successfully. IF you do not have evidence of success, a product renewal is available with charge for CD and shipping. A specimen container will be provided at extra charge, if you have a priority code for that. If you do not. and have picked your nose unsuccessfully, Go to; AllmyrelativesworkforNortonandeatcowpiesatyourexpense.com, and follow the onscreen instructions.



munk
 
D-link router (hardware firewall)
Zonealarm (software firewall)
Norton Antivirus. (It's only on when I run a virus check)
Ad-aware.
 
gone a bone to pick, munk?

:D :p


Yeah....I have a love/hate relationship with Norton AntiVirus right now.....It took months for get my software to finally accept the renewal that was gladly (and speedily) charged to my CC. Very painfull process.

Now I have a new computer....:rolleyes:

I'm loathe to even try to get it up and running....I have an old VPS instead for now....


At work, we run eTrust antivirus which minds its p's-n-q's just fine. I have no idea what they do about updates, though. Hope it's not as painful as Norton.


McAfee is even worse....at least Symantec (Norton) makes a quick effort to combat new viruses.


Why aren't there more options?
 
As mentioned earlier...a router/firewall for broadband!

Norton and McAfee eat up system resources...peronal experience with Norton Internet Security 2004 Pro...after a cold boot, looking in task manager in XP Pro, I was using up almost 180MB memory/PF Usage and it was all being consumed with the Norton software. I finally uninstalled it completely??? and after a cold boot, memory usage was around 96MB. Have been using AVG (free) and ZoneAlarm (free) seems to do well and with both of them running, I am still below 100MB memory usage after a cold boot.

Definitely run AdAware and SpyBot!!
 
D-link router (hardware firewall)

Microsoft Window XP II (software firewall)
A security expert described it's effectivness as "If no software firewall leaves a hole a truck could get through XPs firewall leaves a hole a bicycle could get through"

McAfee Antivirus. (Runs all the time with auto updates)
I've nerver had a problem with install or updates

Ad-aware SE Personal

Spybot - Search and Destroy

These last two are freeware and according to the above security guy both find different things and compliment each other.
 
That's why my son's computer fantasy game stalls- and I bought the sytem specifically with enough speed and memory for same- I'll bet if you add Norton and a couple other programs my son's game has a hard time with what's left to work with.

Dan;
4 months ago my Norton Internet Security went down. I went to Norton's site and could not contact the right branch to even let them know. It seems my key code was tampered with. An hour later on my computer after asking and trying various things, a balloon arrived telling me what had happened and that I'd have to reinstall. Fine. I did, and life went on. But Norton was no help- but would accept a check for a service call!!! I thought Norton would want to know something as important as this key code being tampered with and the system going down.

REcently, while cleaning my desk, the Norton key code was thrown out. Now, I realize this is silly- most of you can turn to me and say."well, my Key code is right here!"
I went to Norton's web page. I clicked on contact Norton. Then the route wanted to know what my question was about- registration. So I clicked on that, and was invited to register my product. kARRGGGHH. They have a section on Registration; why redirect me back to that when I've distinctly asked for a question resolution?

All I want to know is when my renewal comes up next year, do I get a new disk and code then, or not?
I wrote to Norton. Here is the response, "It seems from your email you've lost your code. You can replace the disk after showing us reciepts and more codes you probably don't have, for a charge plus shipping."

I've written them back- Do I get a new disk and key at renewal or not?
What I learn here, and what Norton tells me in the next 24 will determine what I will do with them.

I'm at a loss to explain why it is a good thing that if a customer loses a numerical sequence he must buy the entire system over again. Yes, for security. They could make me secure no other way? There is an analogy here for people who do not trust banks- they sew their money in the bedroom mattress at home. That is what Norton has done with the key code and has charged me for besides.
Folks, on one hand you look at the web site, and you say,"Maybe Norton is really good- their computer nerds screwed up this website royally, not knowing how or wanting to communicate with their customers. Perhaps these nerds are great on viruses. ON the other hand, you say, "if they can't talk to me, and make this web site more straight forward, what guarentee do I have they know what they are doing with Viruses?"

Let them be the first to go come the Revolution.
I want to see heads on pikes


munk
 
I use AVG anti virus. Grisoft.cz. The free Version I never turn it off. catches everything so far. Al
 
yeah....you and I have gone through the same thing, munk. Only difference is that now I have to go through it again. Oh....and I was perhaps more foolish for having downloaded it (and then paid for it) vs. buying a hard copy in the store. :mad: :o


I, too, have lost my security key....and frankly, I probably won't even go looking for it. Too painful...
 
Dan, I downloaded at first, and when that was segmentated, had to request a hard copy instead.
My key is outside in the trash. If I have to, I will dive through all three full cans. But if Norton would just tell me one way or another if I get a new key at renewal.....


munk
 
Question:

Would owning a Mac instead of windows alleviate much of this?

Bill Gates is the spiritual heir, the Patron Saint of Dysfunction that Norton now enjoys. Gates introduces new operating systems that don't work right, and then charges you to fix them. But you can call him toll free to order new products or report copyright theft.

And he's rich.


munk
 
Many say Linux is the way to go.
I've considered it from time to time;
but there's at least 1 program I need that is Windows only.

currently:

Hardware router firewall
zonealarm firewall free version
Spy Sweeper
Ad-Aware
Norton AV
Google popup blocker when I use Internet Explorer

~
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<>call me 'Dean' :)-FYI-FWIW-IIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TIA-YW-GL-HH-HBD-IBSCUTWS-TWotBGUaDUaDUaD
<> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links--A--T--H--D
 
Munk, the Macintosh is the way to go. IMO as a 11 year mac user. Virus's are 'most never cross-platform, meaning my mac can't catch 98% of them (written for PC). There hasn't even been a mac virus in years to worry about. Macs have a fast learning curve for kids or any first time users. Software install is a snap too. They're well made: I once worked as a mac technician, and their hardware was always top-notch. Still true. Downsides: macs are more expensive than PC's and their market share is less than 10%. However, they aren't going to go away- many industries are dependent on them. Chuck the PC out the window- get a mac!

AA
 
I use Norton after having McAfee on my last computer and much prefer the Norton. But I also run the grisoft.com AVG anti-virus program along with Norton and there is no interference. AVG has caught viruses that Norton has not:rolleyes: and it is Free!!!!
I have several spyware programs as one alone doesn't catch all the baddies I've found.
Spyware Doctor runs at startup and always has at least two unwanted cookies that I delete then and there.
I also run Zonealarms and keep the SP2 firewall turned off. I use Panicware for a Pop-up Blocker and never have any pop-ups.
And what's nice is that if I choose to accept them I can hold down my ctrl key when clicking on a pop-up link and it will come up.
 
munk...Would owning a Mac instead of windows alleviate much of this?...[/QUOTE said:
Probably.

I have used Macintosh machines since 1984, for both business and general use. I did layout and design work, and consulted, mostly to the educational and creative communities. I retired a couple of years ago but still use three desktop machines at home plus a laptop. Former clients still call for help, and I maintain a 10 machine network in my wife's classroom that I donated and installed.

None of my machines have ever had a virus nor a security breach, and none of my clients have ever had one.

I saw a Mac virus once in 1990 called the C-Dev virus. It was non destructive and non-proliferating and exploited a specific weakness of an obsolete operating system. It was very short lived.

The worst virus problem I ever saw on a Mac was caused by Microsoft software such as "MS Office" or "MS Word" and was called the Macro virus. It was not specifically written as a virus, but was caused by poor programming.

It is not only the operating system which makes Macs more secure, but the hardware as well. Compare the closed ports of the Mac with the open ports of Windows machines which allows easier access.

The Mac gained it's secure reputation with the traditional modular based OS which made it difficult to write a virus. The recent OS is Unix based which also has a good reputation as far as security is concerned, but the jury is still out as to what might be possible if a competent hacker really put his mind to it.
Click to expand...
 
I'm getting a Mac next year then and giving this computer to my kids.

Micro Soft must be like MacDonalds; just because there's a trillion sold, doesn't mean they're the best.


munk
 
munk said:
I'm getting a Mac next year then and giving this computer to my kids.

munk
Click to expand...
Munk before you take the jump to a Mac you might oughta look at the format on them and see if it meets all of your need's.
Methinks that many printers, scanners, and other peripheral equipment aren't compatable with the Macs. But take all that I said with a grain of salt because I know nothing about them, just heresy.:footinmou ;)
 
Yvsa said:
...many printers, scanners, and other peripheral equipment aren't compatable with the Macs...
Click to expand...

That used to be more of an issue when Parallel and Serial ports were used for connectivity, but with the wide acceptance of USB and FW, most equipment is cross platform compatible as long as there are drivers available.

Major companies such as Epson, Canon, HP, Samsung, Brother etc. are pretty good about supplying up to date drivers for all OS versions both Windows and Mac. Cheap off-brand equipment may not have compatible drivers.

Macs have USB, FW, video, sound, and networking, built in so there is no need to install anything. If you need to expand and install additional PCI cards, it's usually just plug and play. I'm always amazed when I install something and the installation manual for Windows takes up four or five pages and talks about installing drivers and defining pathways and drives, while the Mac instruction only says "plug it in".
 
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