Biker Chick Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Just had an email from Norton Security saying that our anti-virus and spyware is about to expire. What I would like to know is, I've heard about the free downloads from AVG and was wondering just how safe these are. Norton are saying it will cost us about £40 to renew with them. We are are not at all technical when it comes to computers but I do use it for on-line banking, the odd bit of shopping, facebook and of course the Forum Will the free AVG protect our computer from all the nasty virusus or would we be better to spend our money with Norton???? Thank you for any advice but please keep it in simple, easy to understand English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickric Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Ditch Norton, use AVG or Avast. That's what we use on our computer and we use it for pretty much the same as you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterwren Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I have used AVG for a while now and found it to be really good, ive also installed spyware too as a back up. AVG Zone alarm can be set up to scan everyday which takes about 20 mins and although slows your pc a bit during the 20 mins it is well worth it! It tells you when it needs updating and its always a free download Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Hi I'm computer illiterate but my eldest son says that free AVG is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I am NO expert, however the only time we got a virus and had our email address hijacked was when running AVC instead of Norton. Admittedly it was over 5 years ago, but for the problems it caused us I consider Norton a sensible precaution. A bit like insurance really, you hope you will never need to know how good it is!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 I've never paid for AV stuff. Used to use AVG but then it got resource heavy so swapped over to Avast free ages ago and all fine here. I also use SpywareBlaster, Malwarebytes and Spybot Search and Destroy. Again, all free and highly recommended elsewhere. BTW Norton is a resource hog and you must uninstall it all before using another AV to avoid problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Another AVG fan here . I also use Spybot, Ad-Aware & Windows Defender - all free . I use CCleaner and Cleanup! for keeping things nice and tidy (both also free ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Well, I've flitted between AVG, Avast and Avira (the three major contenders that happen to be free for non-commercial use), and not been disappointed. All have consistently performed equally well to more expensive alternatives in independent tests, and it's important to remember that none of these are free to all; any business wanting to use them has to pay full whack, so these products still get the revenue to invest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 AVG for me too Norton have appalling customer service so chances are if you ever needed help you'd be stuck, we have had to contact them several times for help with absolutely no luck each time When our computer was pinched the new owner over-wrote my Norton 'secure' back up with their own stuff- we lost all our photos and Norton couldnt have cared less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 AVG fan defiantly.. Norton used to run scans for me every time i logged onto Omlet.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I like Avira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 (edited) I've used a few in the past (Avast, Nod32, Kaspersky, you name it), and stuck with AVG free for a while, until their awful upgrade version (8, was it?) which was a resource hog. I have heard they've improved it since, but I've been happy enough with my current installation of Microsoft Security Essentials (free) to not want to move back to AVG. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ I've installed it on a few (non-technically inclined) relatives' PCs and it's been very trouble free for them, too. Edited August 16, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 We use AVG free, Spybot and Malwarebytes and that seems to keep things under control. My hubby is an IT engineer, and he hates Norton and tells all his customer to uninstall it and put on the ones I've just mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Another AVG fan here . I also use Spybot, Ad-Aware & Windows Defender - all free . I use CCleaner and Cleanup! for keeping things nice and tidy (both also free ). Me too, the only advantage of using Norton (when I had it) was the parental control; I have since found an alternative that allows Rosie to roam on t'interweb safely, and I can block any sites that i don't want her to visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 If you want to stay with Norton, DO NOT renew at £40. You can buy a 3-pc licence from, eg, tescoDirect for Less than £24 http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3189.aspx 1 PC licences are even cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 Not a fan of Norton at all. We use Kaspersky which is very good and easy to use. A 3 user version is a good price on Amazon and if I remember correctly, cheaper that a 1 user license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 I also used AVG for years until v.8 but I now use Avast which I am pretty happy with. For sensitive sites etc I have Rapport which i got free from my bank and protects credit card details etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...