if you buy the norton anti virus from mbk does it stay updated like a registered copy and download updates from the internet?

Most of the copies update for 90 days, after that who knows.

But why go with Norton? It is a resource hog and has a terrible detection rate.

There are loads of free or cheap Antivirus programs available. They are just as good and leave less of a footprint on your system resources.

thanks, which programs do you recommend?

Free:

Antivir - Pros: 99% detection rate, light on resources. Cons: No mail scanner in free version. (available in paid version)

Avast - Pros: Highly configurable, good P2P and mail scanners. Cons: Detection rate only 94%, heavier on resources.

Paid:

NOD32 - Pros: 99%+ detection rate, heuristics and definition files, very light on resources. Cons: Somewhat geekier interface. ($39, 30 day free trial available)

Kaspersky - Pros: 99% detection rate, fast updates. Cons: No heuristic engine, heavier on resources. ($49, 30 day free trial)

Avoid:

Norton/Symantec - Good detection record, but bogs your system down and is often more troublesome than the viruses.

AVG - Yes it's free, but it's detection capabilities are spotty, and I keep having to fix infected machines "protected" by AVG.

McAfee - See Norton

Antivir: http://www.free-av.com/

Avast: http://www.avast.com/

NOD32: http://www.eset.com/

Kaspersky: http://www.kaspersky.com/

Norton/Symantec - Good detection record, but bogs your system down and is often more troublesome than the viruses.

Its the worst virus I ever had.  It would crash my XP once a month.  After I deleted it that stopped happening. Ever month they blammed MS and MS blammed them.  Turns out MS was right on this one.  Lots of freeware AV to use.