Windows 7: Norton 360 and Windows 7...Opinions and Advice requested.

Hello my fellow windows 7 users.

I bought a new laptop a few months ago, I had some problems, but everything is running well now, thanks in no small part to the knowledge in these forums. I was given Norton 360 as a gift. I always heard Norton was excellent, and it cost $100, so I figured it would handle my security needs. However, realizing that no one program can do everything, I took a gentleman's advice on here and installed Malwarebytes as well, and together they have seemingly kept things in check.

However, recently I have noticed that Norton consumes considerable resources, even when its not running scans, tuneups, or open as an active application. Although it did not really bother me that much because I still have plenty of RAM and it did not seem to be slowing me down that much.

Then a few weeks ago, on my old laptop with runs windows vista, that I still use somewhat often for certain things, my registration with Avast free ran out. Now this laptop only has 2gbs RAM and is about 4 years old, but Avast, which many say is a very heavy program to run, always ran great and really protected my computer well, and I surfed everywhere on that PC. So I decided to install 360 on that, since your allowed to put it on up to 3 PC's. Well since I have, I've been running at Max capacity in terms of physical memory and has slowed the PC like an engine running with no oil.

So that's why I posted this topic, because after doing some research, it seems like people really hate Norton, and I now have anxiety that it could hurt my PC in the long run. However, the program cost a 100 bucks and I feel like I must use it for that reason...aaaaaaa. It seems most recommend going with either MSE or Avast for the primary antivirus/spyware, then Malwarebytes, super antispyware, and maybe even spybot. *These last three would of course only been ran separate.

Any feedback would be appreciated...

Im actually in the exact same boat as OP. I have Norton 360 and MBAM (Malwarebytes), but my faith in Norton has declined in the past year. I need something new and have been looking at Microsoft Security Essentials. Everyone here raves about its low use of resources (and that its free, lol).. but none of that has me dead set on it just yet.

Because MSE is an all-in-one antivirus/antimalware package, MBAM won't be needed anymore which is kind of too bad, I really like and prefer MBAM. I wish someone could elaborate on these products, it would really help me and OP out.

edit: I forgot to mention I have MBAM Pro, its been awhile since I've used the free version but I think the only difference between the two is autoupdating, and I've even noticed it block some things in realtime.

This is what I use and it has worked well for me for over a year.
1. MSE
2. MAM Pro
3. Windows 7 built in Firewall

I use Symantec and like it.

MBAM and SUPERAntiSpyware are good for on demand scanners.

From what I've been reading in other threads, it seems that a mix of Malwarebytes, the Windows 7 firewall, and MSE or free Avast are good combinations.

I personally think I'm going to settle on Avast. Avast also has a smartphone app, so they've got to be worth something.

Like I was saying, I had Avast on my old PC that ran Vista and loved it. Since I put Norton on it, it's been running at 745mbs higher in RAM and slowed to a crawl. Avast used a high level of resources when it was running full scans, but only then, when it was just running its normal full time protection, it was very reasonable. Norton seems to monopolize a huge mount of resources when its open as an active application and a large amount when it's just running normal time protection. Also I think Norton has been responsible for certain bugs to surface while running windows 7, I can't say I would recommend it to anyone at this point, as everyone I know seems to have issues with it, if not at first, always down the road. The only reason I'm running it is because it was so expensive, which I know is asinine, but I can't seem to help it.

I got rid of Avast on my other PC only because after one year, the registration expired and it was telling me I had to pay, but since I already had received Norton, I went with that, I probably should have returned the gift and went with the full Avast package instead, it still would have been about $45 cheaper. I definitely will not be renewing Norton.

Also when people say they are running Windows built in firewall, are you referring to just the standard firewall prompt you get before say installing a new program, or are you also referring to the Windows Defender program?

If anyone else has any input at all, I would appreciate it, even if it's just for the sake of general discussion.

Brandon138 didn't make it clear, was Norton 360 preinstalled on the new laptop while it was installed over Avast on the old laptop? And was Avast uninstalled thoroughly before installing Norton360? If not, it would affect the comparison and experience.

Oh no, of course Avast was completely uninstalled. Right now the only anitvirus/spyware i have on that PC is Norton. Neither of these programs came preinstalled on any of the computers I bought, and any bloatware that was installed on there I wiped out right away.

I use MSE that disables windows defender also use Windows Firewall .

I think what I am ultimately going to do is keep Norton 360 on my newer PC that runs windows 7 until my subscription runs out, as long as Norton does not present any serious issues to it. I also have Malwarebytes free edition installed (I looked at Malwarebytes Pro and it seemed like very little extra comes with the upgrade.) I also plan to install super anti-spyware and run that from time to time. I also use a program called SlimCleaner, which is mainly for getting rid of cookies and other junk, but many people say that by removing this stuff SlimCleaner actually also deletes spyware. And if you look through the menus that the SlimCleaner software displays, the options are very vast and I have been pretty impressed with it.

Finally, when Norton expires, I will go with either MSE or Avast, probably Avast only because I have used it before and can first hand say that it really worked great, although that was with the Vista OS, but it is so similar to Win 7, I think it will work fine. I will of course, still be running Malwarebytes, Super Anti-Spyware, and SlimCleaner. I also was thinking about Spy Bot - Search & Destroy. I used it many years ago when I still had XP, but recently I have read mixed reviews on its competence.

As for my old PC that runs Vista, I think I will try MSE, since the free Avast registration expired and Norton 360 has been real trouble for it, (Avast free edition is a bit misleading I think considering it's only is free for a year) as long as MSE works on the Vista OS. I will of course still be running the other 3 programs I mentioned earlier on it.

I appreciate everyone that chimed in, and if anyone else has any suggestions or comments, I welcome them.