posted on December 31, 2001 01:01:59 PM new
all Programs in your computer are anti-virus in fact when they are infected with one they protest by not working the way they should or not working at all..
Most important thing to do before installing any virus program or buying one is to invest in loads more memory these programs use loads of memory and slow the average computer to near halt as they set them selves up to be resident in memory all the time.
most like mcafee the best because norton is big bulky and hard to learn how to use.
If you do choose to get mcafee make sure you get the newest version as they no longer will support or make new data files for there version 4 or older im sure there will be many out there trying to unload these older programs for attrative prices but they no longer make updated data files for the old version as of january 1 2002..
posted on January 1, 2002 12:30:19 AM new
I've been a network administrator for years and in ANY technical test I have EVER read in the industry press, Norton has always shown to be markedly superior to all of the others. The new version (2002) has a markedly smaller memory resident footprint and no longer makes kludgey changes to your email settings that sometimes screw up. It inspects inbound and outbound emails w/o changes to your email programs. It has also been my experience that the "fix" for each new virus that crops always shows up on the Norton update before anyone else. The interface is a little clumsy, but you never really have to go into it.
I've never really used Trend. Many times, it comes free, being packaged with a PC. I've always had the Norton pkg available and replaced it.
In truth virtually any of these programs work fine and the "threat" of viruses is mostly over stated as a sales tactic. I sometimes think the people launching viruses must work for McAfee or Symantec. Most people don't even need an anti-virus program. It takes very little effort to avoid 99% of viruses.
The main reason Norton or McAfee will get better "marks" than Trend or Dr Solomon is the speed at which they are updated when a new threat comes out, and in this "race" Norton usually tops them all.
posted on January 1, 2002 10:30:28 AM new
Thanks, DeSquirrel
My computer was packaged with PC-Cillin.
I had a problem with a PC-Cillin pop up notice every few minutes so I uninstalled it and installed Norton. Then, Norton was not compatable with XP so I am back with PC-Cillin.
I don't open email attachments so I could probably go without a virus program. Of course, nobody will recommend that. I appreciate your answer!
posted on January 1, 2002 10:42:34 AM new
I wondered the same thing until recently. When the rash of emailed worms began a few months ago, I simply deleted them until I realized that the users may not have a clue their systems were infected.
I started emailing those that were current or former customers just as a courtesy. Surprisingly, more than a couple of them didn't believe me, citing their faithful use of McAffee as "proof."
Whether they weren't regularly updating their programs, or whether they had and McAffee was tardy in adding the latest viruses, I don't know.
posted on January 1, 2002 12:24:20 PM new
DeSquirrel
That's exactly what I thought...It came with the computer and I decided that the pop up ads were a reminder to pay for the program.
So, I did pay and the pop up ads continued. I tried calling their tech support number and it was always busy. There was no response to e-mail so I just gave up and uninstalled it.
I did buy the Norton 2002. But I suspect that there are a lot of bugs to work out with that also. After installing the Norton AV 2002, I was unable to access the Yale University site when other people here were having no problems. I checked other sites in the New Haven area and had no problems. I have DSL so it wasn't a dial up problem. The next day, I tried again with no success. So I immediately uninstalled Norton and the Yale page came right up. Maybe there was some malicious Java at Yale. LoL!
Anyway, in my situation, I believe that it's more trouble than it's worth.
I wish that I had waited a few months before buying the XP. Good Luck with your install and thanks again for your answer.
