just installed norton. any good?

Been using NIS since the '09 version and never had an issue with it. I say if its free definitely give it a shot and uninstall it if you don't like it.

Use to have norton back in the day,didn't like it due to 3 nasty viruses getting past it and I couldn't remove them at all and mind you this was back when I was less techy. Had to reformat the HDD.... I now in this present moment use MSE and it's great and doesn't slow down my machine like norton did back in the day when i had norton in 2005 .MSE has removed 2 infections that tryed to get in machine so far works great.

Athene said:

Ah, probably the scareware strategy. What happens is that while you are browsing, you suddenly get a popup claiming that your computer is infected with so and so many viruses. If you click anywhere on the popup (including on the "x" to close it), you can get redirected to the malware site, where the fake antivirus program will either try to install itself on your computer at once, run a fake scan and tell you to pay for virus removal, or coax you into buying the fake antivirus software...The goal is to get at your money. So do not ever click on such a popup. Instead, either close your browser by using the keyboard shortcut Alt+F4, or, even better, break your internet connection by turning off the Wireless switch or unplugging the internet cable and then closing your browser.

About leftover Norton entries in the registry: Norton Removal Tool:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/nort...rProfile_en_us

If you use it, it is best to run it twice, rebooting after each run (should happen automatically). You may also want to disconnect from the internet. And finally: the tool removes ALL Norton products on your computer. If there is anything remaining, then it will not interfere with your computer. The removal tool intentionally leaves behind your Norton product key in case you want to install your Norton product again at some later point in time.

And finally, what REALLY happens once your Norton subscription runs out is the following: Norton will turn itself off completely. That is all. Until you renew your subscription. This is something which, to my knowledge, is done by most major antivirus software vendors.

Nobody went on any sites just when we installed it and the 4 months later switched we had to clean everything out and it was a PAIN!

I suppose there may be the point that an AV program shouldn't be easy to remove. It needs to get deep into the system in order to protect it. Not only does it have to protect the computer, it needs to protect itself. If software alone could remove or disable any part of it, then malware could conceivably do the same. I'm quite happy with Norton needing a bit of effort to completely remove. That's the way an AV program should be in my opinion.

mart44 said:

I suppose there may be the point that an AV program shouldn't be easy to remove. It needs to get deep into the system in order to protect it. Not only does it have to protect the computer, it needs to protect itself. If software alone could remove or disable any part of it, then malware could conceivably do the same. I'm quite happy with Norton needing a bit of effort to completely remove. That's the way an AV program should be in my opinion.

Exactly! For years that was the only thing I could think of that would justify it, but I've never discovered a definitive answer. I'm not necessarily supporting Norton, because they've definitely had other major problems over the years.