Does Norton 360 Provide Complete Protection

[tjansen]

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

I have an ACER Aspire 4730Z, about 18 months old.

Since I would prefer to pay for protection rather than trying to figure out which free programs to use and how to piece together different components, I bought Norton 360 because I saw very high ratings for it.

Will this package provide good online protection? I have trouble following all of the discussion about spyware, virus, firewalls, etc, so I am hoping that I get a reply that what I have provides the best protection available.

As an aside, I discovered the hard way that when Norton advertises email protection, they don't include AOL, although they don't say that in their advertisement. After I had installed Norton 360, my AOL account started sending spam to my contact list. I contacted AOL, who told me to change my security question and password. That seemed to solve that problem, but I guess I don't have any installed protection for email.

Thank you

[Mario2008]

No virus scanner etc, will offer 100% protection, but Norton is as good as you can get.

[tjansen]

No virus scanner etc, will offer 100% protection, but Norton is as good as you can get.

Thank you for your reply. That is probably a very logical and complete answer to you, but I am so lacking in knowledge in this whole area that the question immediately comes to my mind, "Does 'virus scanner etc' include everything that I should have and that is available for protecting my computer and my online activity?" Sorry for being a nuisance. Please be patient with me.

By the way, I understand, from the reading I have done, the impossibility of getting absolute 100% protection, so I am not quibbling over that.

Thanks once again.

Tom

[paul50]

Have a look at "Avast" [google it] it's as good if not better than Norton and has a basic package thats free to download.

[powderpuff]

Norton 360 is about as comprehensive as any product could be.

It has not only the common stuff like AV & firewall but it also includes things like registry checker/repair & spyware detection/removal.

It really is complete protection for dummies.

I got infected by fakeav using McAfee & have since downloaded Spybot search & destroy, adaware adwatch & a paid copy of IOBit 360.

Norton will do the job of all these products.

When my McAfee expires next year I will be switching to Norton Symantec.

And I am probably a 10 year customer of McAfee.

[BB1950]

To the OP, I have a problem with this statement:

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

If you really do you receive automatic updates, you should have been updated automatically to Windows XP SP3 by now.

The update occurred a couple of years ago. Windows XP SP2 is no longer supported by Microsoft.You should have also been upgraded to IE 8.

Using an obsolete operating system, browser, Java run time, or flash media players leaves you vulnerable to all kinds of nasties. Many not detectable until you have been infected.

You can go to:

http://secunia.com/v...canning/online/

and do a free scan for vulnerabilities in these areas.

I myself, prefer the paid version of Avira (It's not expensive). It takes a proactive, rather than a reactive approach to detection. So it won't let you enter sites that are dangerous and checks external media (flash media, etc..) upon insertion. The downside is that it has a high rate of false positives. Personally, I would prefer to have some false positives, than to have missed detections. I have not had any Trojans since I have been using it (over three years).

If you are an owner of a legal Windows system, you can download from Microsoft at no charge, their scanner called 'Microsoft Security Essentials'. It does a pretty decent job of detecting Trojans. The downside is the scans do take longer and it uses a 'cloud' community for the detection of Trojans. Some people voice concerns that there may be a privacy issue with this.

[Pib]

I've been using Norton 360 for about 3 years....love it...super stable on my two computers...it has beat off several virus attacks and numerous firewall intrusion attempts....works just fine with my email/Gmail/Outlook...and it does more than just antivirus and firewall...it also helps to keep your computer tuned up...I highly recommend the product.

[Mario2008]

Norton 360 is a complete product and a good choise, especially when you are not a computer nerd who tweaks everything.

[mallyrd]

I have been using Symantec products since the very early days "Winfax Pro". Currently I am running 360 (into the second year) and I am more than happy with its performance.

[JetsetBkk]

To the OP, I have a problem with this statement:

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

If you really do you receive automatic updates, you should have been updated automatically to Windows XP SP3 by now.

<snip>

I had assumed that that was a typo - SP2 instead of SP3.

What's wrong with MSE? Microsoft Security Essentials? It is free and does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products.

[merijn]

I was using Norton before but did not like it.

To heavy on the machine and many viruses were not detected.

I use now Kapersky antivirus which is much superior then Norton.

Kapersky stops much more threats then Norton or others.

[thrilled]

new viruses are invented every day.might have A new virus out A week to A month maybe more before the antivirus can get rid of it.

[tjansen]

Thanks for all of the good comments. Thanks also for the heads up about SP3. Since I have been getting regular updates from MS, I will assume, as you suggest, that I now have SP3.

It sounds like for now, Norton 360 will be my choice, since I am already using it, and it sounds to be at worst, adequate, and at best, best.

I continue to appreciate the depth of knowledge and experience that I find on this forum.

Tom

[Supernova]

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

I assume this is either the Home or Pro edition in which case you should update to SP3. However, do not install SP3 if you're using Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE).

[tjansen]

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

I assume this is either the Home or Pro edition in which case you should update to SP3. However, do not install SP3 if you're using Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE).

OK. I just looked at "properties" on My Computer, and I have the Home Edition, and I do have SP3. I don't know if that happened automatically or if I did it manually.

In my defense, I am a little bit foggy about what I did and didn't do, for one reason, because the computer store where I bought my computer loaded a non-licensed copy on Windows on my computer, so I went somewhere else and bought a licensed copy and had it installed. So, now I am getting auto updates, but I don't remember for sure what the original licensed copy had as a Service Pack.

Thanks for all of the good comments and suggestions.

[tjansen]

To the OP, I have a problem with this statement:

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

If you really do you receive automatic updates, you should have been updated automatically to Windows XP SP3 by now.

<snip>

I had assumed that that was a typo - SP2 instead of SP3.

What's wrong with MSE? Microsoft Security Essentials? It is free and does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products.

This comment is worth responding to because it might help you to understand the reactions of a completely clueless person (me). When you say "it does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products", my instant mental reaction is, "I want the one that does a better job than all other anti-virus/anti-malware products, even if I have to pay for it."

I hope this doesn't come across as smart-alecky. It is just the opposite. Being so uninformed and unable to make my own evaluations, my only choice is to take the recommendations from what seem to be knowledgeable people--this includes you--and go with the surest-sounding consensus.

Thanks again.

[waza]

Just out of interest how do you guys rate AVG?

[BB1950]

Just out of interest how do you guys rate AVG?

IMHO, AVG use to be very good, but now it's not as good. However it does rate better than many other vendors. It has gotten big, bloated, slower, and misses a lot of Trojans. Among the free Antiviirus, I would go with either Avira or Avast. They are rated the best by AV Comparitives which is an independent organization that tests the major vendors of Antivirus products. The paid version of Avira (Avira Premium 10) has the highest detection rating (99.8% detection) as of Aug 2010, which is very good value for the money. I have been using Avira since AVG went down hill. I'm very pleased with Avira Premium.

Check out the AV comparatives website at:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

[Supernova]

Another vote for "Avira" (free version).

[JetsetBkk]

To the OP, I have a problem with this statement:

I have a legal copy of Windows XP SP2, and I get automatic updates from Microsoft.

If you really do you receive automatic updates, you should have been updated automatically to Windows XP SP3 by now.

<snip>

I had assumed that that was a typo - SP2 instead of SP3.

What's wrong with MSE? Microsoft Security Essentials? It is free and does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products.

This comment is worth responding to because it might help you to understand the reactions of a completely clueless person (me). When you say "it does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products", my instant mental reaction is, "I want the one that does a better job than all other anti-virus/anti-malware products, even if I have to pay for it."

I hope this doesn't come across as smart-alecky. It is just the opposite. Being so uninformed and unable to make my own evaluations, my only choice is to take the recommendations from what seem to be knowledgeable people--this includes you--and go with the surest-sounding consensus.

Thanks again.

If only there was such a perfect product! And I admire the fact that you are willing to pay for it.

I don't believe any one product catches all viruses/malware. But Microsoft Security Essentials is getting better, and MS are now giving it out in the regular Windows Update if they detect that you are not running an up-to-date anti-virus product.

It is very difficult to get a good, critical, well-balanced, non-biased review of these products as I'm sure the reviewers will favour one product over another. There are plenty of people who won't use MSE just because it's from Microsoft and other people won't use Norton because its older products got the reputation of being "bloatware" (lots of features you don't need, uses a lot of disk, RAM and CPU). But reviews of the latest Norton products are more favourable.

Anyway, I use MSE. I believe it's getting better all the time and you get an updated anti-malware scanner program every month with the MS Updates.

There are a few other things you can do to protect yourself from viruses, of course. Such as never click on a link or open an attachment in an email especially if it is unexpected or from someone you don't know, use a browser other than Internet Explorer (e.g. Firefox), backup all your data and your whole C: drive regularly, scan your PC regularly for viruses, don't install cracked s/w especially if it comes with a "keygen", don't visit too many "naughty" sites, etc.

Actually, there was a study done recently that showed most "drive-by" viruses came from reputable sites rather than the "naughty" ones!

Another action you can take is to run a free online scan from one of these sites. So if whichever product you use misses a particular virus, the online scanner might get it.

The only issue I have with MSE is that it does hog the CPU intermittently on my old laptop. It almost stops for a few seconds every time MSE (MsMpEng.exe) decides to do some work. I even lower it's priority to allow other programs to run while it is working.

So that's the one I recommend. Touch wood, I've had no viruses for years. Touching my wooden desk even more...

[JetsetBkk]

Just out of interest how do you guys rate AVG?

I used to use Norton, then AVG, then Avira, but now using MSE.

I may go back to Avira!

[waza]

I actually didnt mean AVG free, I have the purchased version. I havent had any virus problems with it yet, but I guess you wouldnt know if it misses trojans.

[tjansen]

<snip>

I had assumed that that was a typo - SP2 instead of SP3.

What's wrong with MSE? Microsoft Security Essentials? It is free and does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products.

This comment is worth responding to because it might help you to understand the reactions of a completely clueless person (me). When you say "it does as good a job as most anti-virus/anti-malware products", my instant mental reaction is, "I want the one that does a better job than all other anti-virus/anti-malware products, even if I have to pay for it."

I hope this doesn't come across as smart-alecky. It is just the opposite. Being so uninformed and unable to make my own evaluations, my only choice is to take the recommendations from what seem to be knowledgeable people--this includes you--and go with the surest-sounding consensus.

Thanks again.

If only there was such a perfect product! And I admire the fact that you are willing to pay for it.

I don't believe any one product catches all viruses/malware. But Microsoft Security Essentials is getting better, and MS are now giving it out in the regular Windows Update if they detect that you are not running an up-to-date anti-virus product.

It is very difficult to get a good, critical, well-balanced, non-biased review of these products as I'm sure the reviewers will favour one product over another. There are plenty of people who won't use MSE just because it's from Microsoft and other people won't use Norton because its older products got the reputation of being "bloatware" (lots of features you don't need, uses a lot of disk, RAM and CPU). But reviews of the latest Norton products are more favourable.

Anyway, I use MSE. I believe it's getting better all the time and you get an updated anti-malware scanner program every month with the MS Updates.

There are a few other things you can do to protect yourself from viruses, of course. Such as never click on a link or open an attachment in an email especially if it is unexpected or from someone you don't know, use a browser other than Internet Explorer (e.g. Firefox), backup all your data and your whole C: drive regularly, scan your PC regularly for viruses, don't install cracked s/w especially if it comes with a "keygen", don't visit too many "naughty" sites, etc.

Actually, there was a study done recently that showed most "drive-by" viruses came from reputable sites rather than the "naughty" ones!

Another action you can take is to run a free online scan from one of these sites. So if whichever product you use misses a particular virus, the online scanner might get it.

The only issue I have with MSE is that it does hog the CPU intermittently on my old laptop. It almost stops for a few seconds every time MSE (MsMpEng.exe) decides to do some work. I even lower it's priority to allow other programs to run while it is working.

So that's the one I recommend. Touch wood, I've had no viruses for years. Touching my wooden desk even more...

Thank you for taking the time to elaborate. That also helps me to become a little more knowledgeable on the issue.

Tom

[JetsetBkk]

Thank you for taking the time to elaborate. That also helps me to become a little more knowledgeable on the issue.

Tom

No problem - we were all once where you are now!

And there are plenty more knowledgeable posters on this forum than me.

[cdnvic]

Norton consistently finishes in the top 4 detection rates along with ESET, Avira, and Kaspersky in independent tests. All score regularly over 99%.

The most common Antivirus on infected machines I have to disinfect are AVG (free and paid, same detection rate), and Panda. Both seem to be useless when it comes to worms and scripts.

[cdnvic]

Removed one post full of inaccuracies and subject matter not allowed here.

[MAJIC]

I Always found Norton Antivirus to be a very intrusive program and deleted it.

I now use Microsoft Security Essentials own Antivirus Program which operates in real time,

It can be be downloaded free from Microsoft Downloads website.

After 6 months use I have had no problems,and updates are added regular.

[JetsetBkk]

If, like me, you use Microsoft Security Essentials make sure you have the icon displayed on the task bar, in the "System Notification Area". I'm not sure if you can actually have it NOT displayed.

The reason I say this is because sometimes MSE just "disappears" - like it did this morning for me - and I had to restart it.

The event viewer shows:

Event ID: 5000

[EventType mptelemetry, P1 microsoft antimalware (bcf43643-a118-4432-aede-d861fcbcfcde), P2 2.1.6805.0, P3 timeout, P4 1.1.6402.0, P5 local, P6 unspecified, P7 unspecified, P8 NIL, P9 NIL, P10 NIL.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Of course, that link says there's no more help. Thanks MS.

So, keep an eye on the icon on the task bar.

According to the event viewer, this error has occurred dozens of times in the last few months, but MSE has disappeared only about 4 to 6 times in the last year or so, IIRC. Still worrying, though.

[astral]

I run Avira for my antivirus

and Zonealarm for the firewall.

Both are excellent products and there are free versions.

[waza]

Norton consistently finishes in the top 4 detection rates along with ESET, Avira, and Kaspersky in independent tests. All score regularly over 99%.

The most common Antivirus on infected machines I have to disinfect are AVG (free and paid, same detection rate), and Panda. Both seem to be useless when it comes to worms and scripts.

Hmmm my home comp has paid AVG, and it may be infected. Web pages are slow to open and AVG cant be accessed. This was related to me by my son who is house sitting for me. I am overseas at the moment and wont be home for a few months to take any action. If you dont mind me asking, cdnvic, what actions would you recomend I take? Thanking you in advance.