PC Security: Norton V Eset nod32

[worthingpagan]

Our pc security is due for renewal soon. Over the past 7 years we've been using Norton Internet Security, though we've tried others along the way but they don't seem to work properly for very long for some bizarre reason. Always use the Norton removal tool so very strange. This last year the Norton has seemed to slow the pc down more than before, so i've considered trying the ESET IS. Does anyone have any comments? :scratch: Running windows Vista and the pc came with Norton pre-installed. Thanks

[Welder]

Learn how to open and shut ports.
Install a third party firewall.
Use Firefox or Opera as your browser.


Remove all Norton/McFooy/other bloatware.

Engage brain when opening email and running scripts.


If you really think you're likely to be subjected to a virus attack get yourself behind a sandbox.

[Alex_UK]

I'm sure people will disagree, but personally I think the free Microsoft Security Essentials is very good and I've been using it since launch.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/utilities/anti-malware-software/microsoft-security-essentials-640587/review

[Welder]

Ohhh, cheers Alex, I’ll have a look at that ;)
I got so pissed off with the security stuff available I just shut the ports manually now set a firewall.

Just out of interest, I’ve only seen one virus in over a decade of being online although Trojans and Spyware etc are a constant irritation :doh:

[worthingpagan]

cheers Johno, this next bit may be a little hard for me unfortunately :)

"Engage brain when opening email and running scripts" :lol:

[Reid Malenfant]

Like John I have encountered a single virus, but it was down to my own stupidity :eyebrows: Only a single trojan though in the whole 6 years I have been online... Funnily enough I installed it myself via a CD :lol:

Never had one from the net yet.

I run AVG2012 free edition, Spybot Search & Destroy, Malwarebytes & CCleaner. Firewall wise I use a free version of Sygate Personal Firewall rather than Windoze own.

Just don't go for the full bloatware payed for version of AVG, you won't need it :cool:

[Techno Commander]

I have been using Avast (free version) for a couple of years now and it has worked flawlessly.

[Canetoad]

I removed AVG (free version) from my PC (XP SP3) and installed WSE. Yesterday, after Nortons expired on the laptop (Vista) I removed it all and installed MSE on it too.

AVG. Nortons, McAfee all install so much bloatware on the system I'm glad to be rid of them all. Paying for security on personal computers is a waste of money. :ner:

[worthingpagan]

I removed AVG (free version) from my PC (XP SP3) and installed WSE. Yesterday, after Nortons expired on the laptop (Vista) I removed it all and installed MSE on it too.

AVG. Nortons, McAfee all install so much bloatware on the system I'm glad to be rid of them all. Paying for security on personal computers is a waste of money. :ner:


But not if you do all your financial stuff on the one pc surely? :scratch:

[MartinT]

Both Microsoft Security Essentials and AVG 2012 Free Edition recommended here. I wouldn't go near Norton with a long bargepole.

I purchase AVG Business Edition for the work network.

[Darren]

MSE all the way. Just sits there and works. You'd think that Microsoft would know their operating system best.

[Ali Tait]

I use Norton on my laptop with no problems at all, certainly better than others I've used in the past. It is pretty powerful as laptops go though.

[Bazil]

Both my kids have recently got new laptops and the first thing I told them to do was remove Norton and load Microsoft Security Essentials.

[NickB]

I fix PC's for a living ( which is why I use a Mac) we always use MSE when able to and find it great for clearing infections let in by - Norton - McAffee - AVG etc etc. Possibly the best thing released by Microsoft apart from their mice and keyboards which are great.

Nick

[Mark Grant]

I fix PC's for a living ( which is why I use a Mac)



Brilliant:lol:

[Rare Bird]

Recently a certain programme just ceased to work leaving everything open, i was in trouble with a couple of infections. I have MSE now.

[worthingpagan]

Cheers for the heads up guys..............I'm trying Avira av free right now with pc tools fw free. If the Avira screws up i'll deffo go for the MSE. I remember the original ONE CARE which kind of put me off microsoft, but if MSE works for all you guys then I can't ignore that :cool:

[Welder]

I gave up completely on the available security software and just shut down my ports.
Port shutting works very well but is a pain in the arse having to open ports every time you want to go on the interwebz.
I’ve been giving MSE a whirl and I may just keep it.
Good call Alex. Thank You. :)

[Mark Grant]

AVAST free version is also good:
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
They will try to tempt you to pay for upgrades on download, just go for the free version.

[Mark Grant]

To check your ports are OK Gibson Research shields up is an excellent online test.

http://www.grc.com/intro.htm

It's not possible to post a direct link to it, look around that site for ' shields up'

The test results should be something like this screen capture:

http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx234/server9/forum-pictures/shields-up-Capture.jpg

[Reid Malenfant]

Interesting that is Mark, I went looking for it & took the first three tests. My lappy passed every one with that site saying that effectively it's like my lappy doesn't exist :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

Shields Up! is fairly old now and any W7 installation with the perfectly good built-in firewall will pass. Threats these days are far more cunning and disguised. You need good AV - and for those with a Mac who continue with the misguided idea that they are not susceptible to viruses, I would get some AV installed fast before you get hit. Avast for Mac is a good option.

[Canetoad]

But not if you do all your financial stuff on the one pc surely? :scratch:

What I meant to say was computers used for personal rather than business use. I still think that MSE is going to do the job. It's in Microsoft's best interests that they provide effective security for their own operating system.

[WOStantonCS100]

... It's in Microsoft's best interests that they provide effective security for their own operating system...

Sure it is. :lol: But, in my 20+ years of being in the business, that has yet to happen. I would also never, ever put Norton on anyone's system. If we do a virus/malware cleaning (and charge for it as we do) we have to reasonably assure that the system is not going to come back the next day, fubar.

[Clive]

My experience with recent Norton products differs to what I've seen here. I suspect people like to dig at Norton they way they do at other major players. I find the free apps are fine providing you are sensible with what you click on. With the kids computers I have no control over this. I tried several free anti-virus programs, the usual ones. Kept getting viruses. Since installing Norton 2 years ago their machines have been virus-free. Probably I'll have a machine to fix tonight now I've said that!

[aquapiranha]

I used to work with PC's too, and that is why I am using Mint Linux!

However, the new Norton 360 is NOT the same as the program of old, and is now much neater and less intrusive. On the laptop that Mrs. aquapiranha now almost exlusively uses, I have installed W7 at her request as she uses it for work and I am using MSE on that with no issues. Linux is built differently from windows and is inherently more secure because of this, but I still try to keep out prying eyes and use various additions to Firefox to keep it as safe as possible. It is always worth making sure that your firewall is set up correctly, including to refuse ping requests. I have done the GRC test before, but here is the result from 10 minutes ago. Of course, the I.P. is not really a secret, but I think I have done enough to keep me safe really.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb256/aquapiranha/Screenshot-1-1.png

Also..

Attempting connection to your computer. . .
Shields UP! is now attempting to contact the Hidden Internet Server within your PC. It is likely that no one has told you that your own personal computer may now be functioning as an Internet Server with neither your knowledge nor your permission. And that it may be serving up all or many of your personal files for reading, writing, modification and even deletion by anyone, anywhere, on the Internet!
Your Internet port 139 does not appear to exist!
One or more ports on this system are operating in FULL STEALTH MODE! Standard Internet behavior requires port connection attempts to be answered with a success or refusal response. Therefore, only an attempt to connect to a nonexistent computer results in no response of either kind. But YOUR computer has DELIBERATELY CHOSEN NOT TO RESPOND (that's very cool!) which represents advanced computer and port stealthing capabilities. A machine configured in this fashion is well hardened to Internet NetBIOS attack and intrusion.
Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer.
All attempts to get any information from your computer have FAILED. (This is very uncommon for a Windows networking-based PC.) Relative to vulnerabilities from Windows networking, this computer appears to be VERY SECURE since it is NOT exposing ANY of its internal NetBIOS networking protocol over the Internet.

[Reid Malenfant]

Attempting connection to your computer. . .
Shields UP! is now attempting to contact the Hidden Internet Server within your PC. It is likely that no one has told you that your own personal computer may now be functioning as an Internet Server with neither your knowledge nor your permission. And that it may be serving up all or many of your personal files for reading, writing, modification and even deletion by anyone, anywhere, on the Internet!
Your Internet port 139 does not appear to exist!
One or more ports on this system are operating in FULL STEALTH MODE! Standard Internet behavior requires port connection attempts to be answered with a success or refusal response. Therefore, only an attempt to connect to a nonexistent computer results in no response of either kind. But YOUR computer has DELIBERATELY CHOSEN NOT TO RESPOND (that's very cool!) which represents advanced computer and port stealthing capabilities. A machine configured in this fashion is well hardened to Internet NetBIOS attack and intrusion.
Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer.
All attempts to get any information from your computer have FAILED. (This is very uncommon for a Windows networking-based PC.) Relative to vulnerabilities from Windows networking, this computer appears to be VERY SECURE since it is NOT exposing ANY of its internal NetBIOS networking protocol over the Internet.
That's precisely what I got when I ran that program yesterday :)

[Alfonzo]

I use KIS - never failed and real time scanning - recommended

[Tim]

Slightly off course, but another option is what I use and that's Virtual Machines. Not as difficult as you might think with VMware Player, which is free to download. Just set up a Windows Virtual Machine, then make a copy and keep it separate, like a USB stick or backup drive. You can use the VM for anything that requires security, don't ever use it for anything else likely to compromise it's integrity and every so often bin it and copy over another. Use your normal computer for everyday stuff, but when you want security, just fire up the Virtual Machine.... simples.

Oh, I use MSE as well on my day to day machine - it's really OK. I think a modicum of common sense is needed as well, but this can be hard if you own a computer with multiple users. In this instance having your own VM on a family computer can help keep you isolated from other's misdemeanour's.

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/