[cyndia63]

I was told to switch my Norton 360 to AVG. I am just an average person who uses my computer to pay bills, check news/email, and play games. My son will probably be utilizing the pc more as he gets older, for homework, etc, I just want to be safe and not have to worry about getting viruses. At this point, when I try to bring my pc out of standby it takes almost 30 min. just to have it stop running. I have cable and now it seems like I have dialup 'cause it's so stinkin' slow. Can anyone please help me figure out the best way to go? Cyndia63

[Flashorn]

Hey cyndia!!



Welcome to PCWorld Community!



Well, as you will find out , this community does not really favor any Norton Applications.



But , for now, you might want to tell us a little more about what kind of PC you are using.



I mean , what is the Operating System ( XP SP1 , SP2 , SP3 , Vista or other ).



Is this a notebook or a full PC ( Tower, Screen, keyboard, mouse ).



Is this a custom built PC or a bought at store PC ( HP , Dell , Toshiba , Lenovo or a Mac (Apple) ).



In order for us to help and advise we would appreciate a little more info.



PLZ. answer these simple questions and we will go from there.



FLASHORN.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi Cyndia :



In addition to what "Flash" has shared, I would be interested in knowing WHO

recommended you "switch" from Norton ? To AVG !? Paying Bills Online, which

probably includes Online Banking, should involve the use of very good security programs,

some of which are FREE, which we can advise you . There are better programs than

almost ANY Norton program .

AND when it comes to "Games", especially seemingly "FREE" Ones, should be very

careful on downloading over the internet since many are spyware "infected" . Would be

wise to tell us IF that has happened, and the SPECIFIC Name(s) of the "Game(s)" !?

Spyware is ONE of the Main Causes for a computer "slowing" down .

[lilxkid24]

Yes make the switch to avg, norton is just complete garbage. If you have norton use the norton removal tool to get rid of it http://service1.syma...005033108162039 Standby shouldn't take 30mins because it doesn't utilize the internet at all? What windows are you running and what stats are they? And its a good idea to switch to dsl cable or satellite now since dialup is very very very slow is very uncommon anymore

[Adama]

Hi Cindia, and welcome to PCWorld Communities.

I have only one very short word for you = Y E S!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mcbarker]

I have a question for you guys, which is related to the question asked by Cyndia. Does AVG (free version) have "real time" scanning, or does it just find viruses after the fact when you run a scan? I don't use it myself, so I don't really know, but if Cyndia has a kid who will be downloading games from who knows where, it would seem important that she should have "real time" scanning for both viruses and ad/spyware to catch any junk before it is installed on her system.

[mphenterprises]

mcbarker said:

>

Quote

Does AVG (free version) have "real time" scanning, or does it just find viruses after the fact when you run a scan?

>
>




Hi MCBarker. Yes, AVG has real time scanning. If an infected file is downloaded, AVG will flag this file and notify the user. At this point, the person can either Heal, Delete, or Quarantine the file.

[rgreen4]

I don't know the answer to that, but I'm sure SpiritWind does. I have gone to Avast! based on SpiritWind's advice and like it much better. It also gives you a visual indiction that it is scanning with the little ball in the tray that rotates as it scans. When I opened this comment window, it rotated several times. It's also a lot less intrusive than AVG.

As a former Symantec Norton user, I will never have any of their products on a machine of mine again. The very first thing I did last September when I got my laptop was load the Norton removal tool and ripped Norton's Internet Security out by its roots. Peter Norton had a fine utility company until he sold it to Symantec. It was fine for a few more years, then got bloated and ineffective. It's now almost worse than the viruses. IMHO.

[cyndia63]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, I really appreciate it. I'm a little technologically challenged, at least when it comes to computers, but I'll try to explain what I'm working with. I am using an HP pavilion a605x which I bought as a package at Staples. It has XP Professional loaded on it (it's a long story), and what else I don't know. My IP is Roadrunner highspeed, which I have been very happy with so far. The only thing that is wireless is my Logitech keyboard and mouse. As for games, my son goes to Club Penguin, DragonFable, Webkinz and used to do one that made me uncomfortable because there were also adults on it, but the name escapes me at this point (it was sort of medieval/goth ,something myth ?). He no longer goes to it as per my request, but he's only ten and who knows what we'll encounter in the future. I tend to download dumb repetitive games from Yahoo games, something to do with my hands while I'm thinking. Anyway, that's pretty much the story, so what are your recommendations now? I also tend to do a lot of CE credits online, taking courses and testing.

I realize that a lot of you are going to be like, Oh, what a lame system, but it's fine for my needs since I also tend to print a lot of photos. In other words, upgrading my hardware is not the best option right now, someday I'm sure my son will give me grief about it, then I'll go for it, but for now......I'd just like to be safe and have my computer be a bit more speedy. Also, when I go to Task Master (I think that's what it's called) there are about 65 processes listed, some of which appear to be duplicates. Is there any way to clean this up? Should it be cleaned up?

I have to say that I am pleased to have found people who are willing to help and who really know what they're talking about when it comes to this stuff. Cyndia

[Adama]

Hi Cyndia,
I appreciate that you have a system that's working for you. And I understand your need to keep your son and yourself protected. AVG and Avast! are very good free programs to help you do just that. And, as RGreen suggest, Avast! seems to be the better of the two.
As your son grows and his tastes and abilities grow he'll want to venture into other kinds of games, and who knows whatever else, so you're right in being concerned about it.

If I may make a suggestion - Trend MicroAntiVirus with AntiSpyware is a very, VERY good program. It's not free, but it doesn't cost too much either, sometimes you can get it on sale at BestBuy for $24.99. It has real time protection, the scans are very thorough and updates itself frequently, it protects you from viruses, trojans, malware, spyware, any kind of questionable thing that may want to infect your computer.

I've been using Trend MicroAV with AS for over a year now and I really, really like it. Just last week, I was searching for some stuff at Photobucket and Trend Micro started scanning and caught a virus, and got rid of it, and it took less time than it's taking me to tell you about it.

Another thing that I would strongly suggest is, to get the McAfee Site Advisor. It's a FREE utility that sits on your Toolbar. It scans every website you go to and will show a small green bar if the website if safe, a gray one if the website hasn't been scanned by them yet, a yellow one if it's questionable. When you go to a website that may have viruses, malware, etc., it'll turn red and give you a warning, so you can get out of there before you catch anything.

Single handed, the McAfee Site Advisor is one of the best things in the World anyone could ever have, to help you stay safe. IMHO.

EDIT ~ Here's the link to Trend Micro us.trendmicro.com/us/home/

And the one for McAfee [http://www.siteadvisor.com/] You can check out the video that shows how it works.
Message was edited by: Adama

[mcbarker]

Hi Cyndia... Yes, many of us are computer geeks here, but we're friendly geeks... !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!
As long as your system fills your needs, it's fine. According to MPH, AVG does have "real time" scanning, meaning that it will attempt to stop viruses from installing on your system before they can do any damage. Rgreen also mentions another choice called Avast!, which was recommended to him by SpiritWind (the forum's "go to" guy for security issues).Follow the above links to download the free versions of either one. Either one will have a minimum impact on your system's speed.

It's important that you install only one antivirus program. Installing a second one can cause problems and conflicts which may cause you to have no virus protection at all. Before installing either of the above programs, you have to uninstall Norton 360. Unfortunately, WindowsXP's uninstall program is not able to remove everything that Norton loads onto your system. Before doing so, get the Norton Removal Tool from HERE. Follow the instructions on the website before using the tool.

Now you have a couple of other choices to make. Norton 360, as well as being an antivirus program, also has antispyware, and a software firewall protection, both of which are very important these days. You will also need to install replacements for those two programs. For a good free Firewall program, I recommend Zone Alarm. It's relatively easy to set up, and it's free (make sure you download the Basic Free version).

The other choice is a little more complicated. You will need a replacement for your antispyware part of Norton 360. There are a number of good programs, but if you want "real time" protection (and you do), you will probably have to pay for the program (usually between $19 to $39 per year). I'm almost sure that the free versions of antispyware programs will not stop spyware from installing on your system, and that adware/spyware will only be found after it installs, during a scan. I use Webroot Spy Sweeper, which cost $29/year. It's a very good program, and has stopped many ad/spyware programs from installing on my system. The downside of this program is that it does slow your system down a little (or maybe noticeably if you have an older computer). Hopefully SpiritWind will show up again and make a recommendation in this area, but meanwhile, I recommend Spy Sweeper.


IMPORTANT: Before starting any of this, have everything that you need downloaded to your computer. Disconnect your computer's online connection, then uninstall Norton 360 normally, then use the Norton Removal Tool. There may be a couple of reboots involved. Install your new security program(s). When all of the new programs are installed and active, reestablish your online connection, and update the signature files of the new program(s). You should configure your new programs to run automatic scans on a regular basis. I have mine run every night, when the computer is not in use.

Hope this helps... :D

[rgreen4]

McBarker - by the time I got this up, you had it fixed.
Cindia - If the machine meets your needs, then that's what counts. Some of us have fancier or more powerful machines, not that we need them, but you know what they say about boys and their toys. I don't know of anyone in the community who will criticize another's machine, and there are some who still use some very ancient machines. I have some older one's that are not connected to the internet because they still run Windows 98! I just can't bring myself to toss a perfectly good functional machine, just because it's slow. I also have one program I use occasionally that will not run in either Windows 2000 or XP, so it's on that machine.

[SpiritWind]

Hi Cyndia :


I checked out those 3 Games you mentioned, using a "Google Search" and mainly using


the INFO from "Wikipedia" and basically they appear OK; However, the INFO about


DragonFable from Wikipedia ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonFable ) says the "User"


is supposed to be 13+. Since you son is 10, he is not legally/ethically supposed to be


playing there !? The Other "thing" I found was that these Sites use Various "Flash Players"


and NOT using the LATEST Version can make your computer more vulnerable to getting


"Spyware" and WORSE on your computer. Therefore, it is wise to keep up-to-date on the


latest Versions that MAY be available and get them and for doing that, I recommend the


FREE "Software Inspector", available from [http://secunia.com/software_inspector] . I do


NOT recommend you "download" the program, but periodically use the "Online" Version


by simply clicking the "Start Now" button. You will then get a "Report" and it would be wise


to follow its "Recommendations" .


As to Security programs, I recommend, for antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN


Protection, the FREE Version of "SUPERAntiSpyware" from


[http://www.superantispyware.com] . This version of the program will NOT cause any


"Conflicts" with any existing program. Someone mentioned McAfee's "Site Advisor";


there have been problems with this in the Past ; much better is the FREE "Finjan",


available at [http://securebrowsing.finjan.com/index.html] .

[cyndia63]

Thanks again everyone. Geeks are cool; I respect anyone who really knows their craft, especially when they are willing to convey their knowledge to others.

McBarker, I have a question, if you can't load two antivirus programs at once, how do I load everything then go offline? This probably sounds dumb, but.......when the program asks if I want to "run" or "save", I save? Then run each one individually? This won't cause a conflict? By the way, I really don't mind paying for a yearly service if it does the job, I don't really expect every quality download to be free.

To those of us that don't work with our computers that much it can be a bit confusing when we see install and download. To me, downloading something means I've installed it on my computer(maybe that's because I always "run" rather than "save"?). Of course, as soon as I try to do anything with my system, I seem to set up a fine mental block that keeps me from comprehending things. Probably has something to do with my older "geek" brother who (whenever I asked a computer-related question) always explained very fast and in very technical terms what needed to happen and with the air that "any moron knows that"! I just like to be clear and understand exactly what to do so I can remember and take care of it myself next time.

Thanks, Cyndia

[cyndia63]

Spiritwind, Dragonfable can be played by underage players with the consent of an adult, when you sign-up for the game it's made pretty clear. I am not the type of person to allow my son on a website illegally, immorally, unethically or otherwise. Thanks for your concern.

Thanks also for the advice, re the antvirus stuff, etc. I really appreciate all the help everyone has been willing to give. Cyndia

[mcbarker]

Hi Cyndia... When you "download" the program and choose the "Save" option, you're not installing the program, but rather, saving the compressed archive file (each of which contain many other files). Make sure you take a note of the file name and folder it was saved to. Downloaded programs generally come with a ZIP, RAR, or EXE extension, and are compressed archives which contain the many files necessary to install and run the program. DON'T choose the "Run" option when downloading... always choose the "Save" option.



You don't install anything until after you have gone offline, and have completely removed Norton 360. Please re-read my other post carefully, especially the paragraph in bold print... It's important that you do this in the proper order.To install, if the archive has an EXE extension, all you have to do is double-click on the archive, and it will start the installation procedure. If it has a ZIP or RAR extension, you may have to "extract" the contents of the archive to a directory (folder) of your choice. then run the "Setup" file included in the archive. I believe that all of the programs I mentioned come with an EXE extension, so they shouldn't give you any problems (just double-click on them to install).



Most of all, don't panic... think of this as a learning experience... an adventure into Geekland. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[Flashorn]

Hey cyndia!!



This community would never look down on ANY of the other members.

This is the strength of this forum. Most of the regular members have

been together for over a year or more. We try our best to resolve or

at least advise as to the best course of action to take.So, one way or another

you will be taken care of as best we can.



That said, I will try and give some explanations to your concerns.



OK, First , when you will be downloading the security programs

suggested by either of the members:

When Prompted to either SAVE or RUN. You will "SAVE".

This procedure will copy the Installer of the program to your hard drive

and SAVE the said copy to your (usually) "Documents" or "My Documents" Folder.

This way you can go back to this folder when you are ready to install said program

and double click on the installer and THEN run that installer which will install

the program on your computer.



Now, this should be the way to proceed:

First : download ALL of the installers for the programs that you would like to install.

REMEMBER to "Save" and not "Run"



Second : once you have ALL of the installers and Especially the "Norton Removal Tool"

you can now disconnect from the internet by double clicking on the computer icon

in the Notification Area (where the clock is) and from the pop-up click on the Deactivate

or disconnect button at the bottom right corner.



Now you are ready to install or should I say UNINSTALL Norton 360 .



To uninstall Norton

Go to : Control Panel

Next : Add/Delete Programs

Then find Norton 360 in the list that comes up and click on the program Norton 360.

This will make it a bluish color and you will see a Change/Delete button on the

lower right hand corner. Click on that . You will be asked if you really want to Delete this

Program . Click on Yes!



Now that Norton is Almost Deleted from your PC you will need to run the

"Norton Removal Tool"

Find the program in your "Documents Folder" and double click on the .exe ,

from there just follow the prompts and the program should do the rest.



Once that task is done , the next one would be to install the AntiVirus Program

(which ever you choose).

Then you can go ahead and install the AntiSpyware programs .Again,

which ever you choose.



Once all of the new security programs are in place , you can now re-establish a

connection t o the internet by doing the same procedure as disconnecting

but, now you click on the connect button instead.



IF you have any problems OR have any questions regarding the set-up of any of these

programs. PLZ. come back to this thread and ask away. We will be glad to help in any way

possible.



FLASHORN.

[mcbarker]

An addition to Flashorn's instructions... Make sure that the firewall is installed before going online again. If you have more questions either before, or after doing all of this, please ask.

[piyushsingh]

360 to avg/avast - that will give a performance boost as if you have upgraded the hardware. ;-)
btw - if you are willing to pay for an antivirus solution , then nod32 should be the one.

[Flashorn]

Hey Mcbarker!!


Thanks for the firewall bit. I didn't realize that the firewall was

part of this package.

Was Zone Alarm the only Firewall suggested.

I have a few to suggest:

http://www.jetico.com/jpf2.htm





http://www.pctools.com/firewall/



Both of these are compatible with Windows XP Pro and Home.



You might want to click on the links and read a little bit about them.



FLASHORN.