Norton NIS Subscription Renewal Dilema

**rolfw** · 03-04-2008

I use AVG Antivirus plus Firewall, did buy PC Security shield and ran it for a year, but when I upgraded to the new version after buying the second year, nothing worked properly on the PC or network, in exactly the same way it had when I tried Kaspersky a couple of years before. I then found out that they are now owned by Kaspersky, so must have used their engine.

I've now uninstalled (written off the $30 or so for the year) and bought a second license for AVG which works well.

**HB13DISH** · 03-04-2008

Thanks rolfw for the info.
AVG evaluation was good, but it gave me a headache every time I started my PC. It would take a lot of time to initiate and then I had to deactivate the firewall. Perhaps I was doing something wrong during that period?
Could be my work PC was running Windows 2000?
Any more suggestions, please?

ctomer · 03-04-2008

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

Just a little update:
I have tried so far
AVG
NOD32 Smart Security (ESET)
Kaspersky

The best one for me so far is Kaspersky. User friendly and doesn't leave their marks at the bottom of my e-mail messages like NOD32 does.

There's a setting that gets rid of those messages.

I've used both Kasperksy and Nod32 in the past. Both are pretty good products. Kaspersky is a a bit more user friendly though. Both regularly update their virus definitions. I prefer Nod32 because it runs in the background and leaves me in peace.

**HB13DISH** · 03-04-2008

Originally Posted by ctomer

There's a setting that gets rid of those messages.

I've used both Kasperksy and Nod32 in the past. Both are pretty good products. Kaspersky is a a bit more user friendly though. Both regularly update their virus definitions. I prefer Nod32 because it runs in the background and leaves me in peace.

Thanks.
Do you know how to get rid of the e-mail messages mark?
I admit that I didn't have the time to find out, but would appreciate your input as this would put NOD32 back as a potential software to buy.

**T_G** · 03-04-2008

I think Kaspersky is a ver y good one. Why don't you buy 2 single ones seperately if they don't do a couple. Is it too expensive then?

**irart** · 03-04-2008

I can recommend Avast for anti virus, and Zone Alarm as a firewall - both free, although they both have more sophisticated paid versions. Another free firewall that I hear is very good is Comodo, but haven't tried it yet.

**meldrew** · 03-04-2008

My main gripe over Norton is the cost but I recently got a
new three user NIS 2008 from ,Amazon for under £20. Seems
unobtrusive and causes no trouble. On the basis of "devil you
know" I will probably stay with it but prices are more variable
than bank shares on the stock exchange!

**HB13DISH** · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by T_G

I think Kaspersky is a ver y good one. Why don't you buy 2 single ones seperately if they don't do a couple. Is it too expensive then?

Yes, they are the best so far for me, but also the most expensive.
1 PC costs $ 59.95
2 PC (2 singles) costs $ 119.95
3 PC (3 license option) costs $ 120

As I need only 2 licenses, I will be losing $ 40 this year and also on future renewals.

**HB13DISH** · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by irart

I can recommend Avast for anti virus, and Zone Alarm as a firewall - both free, although they both have more sophisticated paid versions. Another free firewall that I hear is very good is Comodo, but haven't tried it yet.

Thanks irart. I will take a look at this possibility, even for the paid versions.

**HB13DISH** · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by meldrew

My main gripe over Norton is the cost but I recently got a
new three user NIS 2008 from ,Amazon for under £20. Seems
unobtrusive and causes no trouble. On the basis of "devil you
know" I will probably stay with it but prices are more variable
than bank shares on the stock exchange!

I used Norton eversince I had my first PC.
But in 2007 they stopped supporting Windows 2000 and this is the reason why I started to look for alternatives. NIS 2008 requires Windows XP or Vista.
I don't understand this "three user" gimmick that most software manufacturers are offering to promote their sale. Why not offer "two user" instead or in addition?

ctomer · 04-04-2008

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

Thanks.
Do you know how to get rid of the e-mail messages mark?
I admit that I didn't have the time to find out, but would appreciate your input as this would put NOD32 back as a potential software to buy.

I no longer use nod32 (switched to the Mac a while ago), but on page 13 of the user guide it mentions this:
"The options for this functionality are available through Advanced
setup > Antivirus and antispyware protection > Email protection.
The program can Append tag messages to received and read mail,
as well as Append tag messages to sent mail. Users also have the
ability to decide whether tag messages should be appended to all
email, to infected email only, or not at all."

I also used NIS in the past, it was a terrible piece of software. Its pop-up blocking was truly abysmal. Regardless of whether NIS was turned on or off, it would inject a small piece of javascript into each and every web page. It did actually block pop-ups but it also frequently broke the web pages themselves.

**Topper** · 04-04-2008

Well I have just about survived just over one full year Norton 360. A complete package containing PC Security, Identity Protection, backup (to External drive or off site) and PC tune up software. I have to say I was just about losing the will to live trying to keep it working correctly, when I was due to renew my subscription I complained in writing to them they said why not switch to Version 2 (which I was not aware had been released). From the minute I did the whole thing just ran as smooth as anything, never complains but is a tad memory hungry at times. Backups are now encrypted as well, but hey AV protection is really horses for courses, as I mentioned in an earlier post Nod32 is the king for our 40 POS + XP Pro tills

ctomer · 05-04-2008

Originally Posted by Topper

From the minute I did the whole thing just ran as smooth as anything, never complains but is a tad memory hungry at times.

Does Norton still update definitions on a weekly basis? Or have they improved?

**Topper** · 05-04-2008

Originally Posted by ctomer

Does Norton still update definitions on a weekly basis? Or have they improved?

Difficult to say as it certainly checks every day at least once and only informs you for a few seconds, but I have no issues to complain about now with Norton 360

**HB13DISH** · 21-04-2008

Originally Posted by ctomer

I no longer use nod32 (switched to the Mac a while ago), but on page 13 of the user guide it mentions this:
"The options for this functionality are available through Advanced
setup > Antivirus and antispyware protection > Email protection.
The program can Append tag messages to received and read mail,
as well as Append tag messages to sent mail. Users also have the
ability to decide whether tag messages should be appended to all
email, to infected email only, or not at all."

I also used NIS in the past, it was a terrible piece of software. Its pop-up blocking was truly abysmal. Regardless of whether NIS was turned on or off, it would inject a small piece of javascript into each and every web page. It did actually block pop-ups but it also frequently broke the web pages themselves.

Hello ctomer,
Just tested by configuring the tagging of received and sent e-mails and it works. Thanks

**HB13DISH** · 19-07-2008

After giving Norton NIS the boot (because they stopped supporting Windows 2000), I tried several applications.
Before that I didn't realise how fierce the competition is, as I upgraded the Norton NIS every year without any questions.
With the kind help of several members, I took the time to try out the following software, as they all give a month free evaluation (except ZoneAlarm only 15 days):

- AVG
- Kaspersky
- Avast
- BitDefender
- ZoneAlarm (Checkpoint)
- NOD32 (ESET)

They were all quite good, except for some minor problems here and there.
As I needed licenses for two users (they give either 1 user or 3 user with a nice discount, but without any discount for 2 licences). it was important that the price would be reasonable for the 3 user as the 3rd license would be wasted, unless I buy a laptop in the near future and activate the 3rd license already paid for.

Finally I decided to purchase ZoneAlarm Suite by Checkpoint.
Excellent product which found several undesirable "viruses" on both computers and has a nice user interface.
There is a special offer for 3 user license at $ 50 so I parted with the money today with a smile.

***compufunk*** · 19-07-2008

I wasn't around when this topic was being discussed, so I'll give my input now.

I would not pay for any internet security software for personal use, there are plenty of free (for personal use) apps that run in the background without hogging system resources and complaining all the time , like Norton does,

I've been using the following combination for the past 5 ish years without any problems, all free.

Avg Free, anti virus,
free.avg.com

Spybot Search and destroy, malware/adware/spyware
_www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

Adaware, malware/adware/spyware
lavasoft.com

Sygate Personal Firewall,
_www.tucows.com/preview/213160

I've found that AvgFree has become slightly more resource hungry since the recent upgrade to version 8.

I perticularly like Spybot and SPF, The former has lots of built in tools that allow you to optimize your system, The startup manager is great for removing apps that run at startup time. You'll probably find things running there that you never knew were loading at startup.

Why some of these apps want to run on your system all of the time is beyond me. Like why would you want Adobe PDF Reader running in the background at all times?

Removing certain versions of Norton from your system also has the nasty side effect of damaging system files, one PC I looked at for someone could not connect to a network at all. Its so common that norton even released a seperate application to remove its software.

service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

That smells a bit like they are making it difficult for users to move away from thier software to something else.

**HB13DISH** · 19-07-2008

Thanks compufunk for your input. Better late than never.

I am sure that it will help others as it gives few more applications to consider.
As my need is for a small business and not for personal use, I needed the licenses anyway and I am glad I chose ZoneAlarm in the end.
Testing more applications would be fun, but it is time consuming and as time means money, there is no point in testing more applications as it also mean uninstalling it before putting a new one in (for two computers !!).
So I had to draw a line today.

**rolfw** · 19-07-2008

I've tried many different packages and AVG is the boy for me, my PCs are also for business and running forums, so I need them to be clean, the only one I don't have a paid subscription on is the laptop, as I only use it for four weeks or so a year. On the laptop I run AVG free and I think it might be Sygate personal.

I wouldn't let Norton near one of my PCs and the first job I do for any of my friends when they buy a Dell PC, is remove all of the crap, including Norton.

**HB13DISH** · 12-07-2009

My ZoneAlarm Internet Suite will expire in 7 days.
I am having second thoughts about subscribing again, because of a very annoying feature.
Every time I switch the PC, it takes between 10-15 minutes until I can access my mail box or open the browser or do anything with the PC.
During this time, I can see the ZoneAlarm icon showing information that "Update is running".
Tried to find a way to schedule updates (any other time but not on the start), but couldn't find a solution.
Also opened a ticket with CheckPoint, but they didn't bother to reply till now.
If anybody familiar with ZoneAlarm can suggest a solution for this, I will be grateful, as I am not looking to change it.
But I will also be happy to hear your reviews on which Internet Suite you are using and happy with, just in case.

**Channel Hopper** · 12-07-2009

I stopped using ZoneAlarm over a year ago (one upgrade suddenly made it slow and cumbersome)

Try the Commodo Firewall, Rolf posted a link earlier on, and it can be pulled from Majorgeeks.com

**HB13DISH** · 14-07-2009

After waiting several days for their support to give me a solution, I received a standard message telling me:

Thank you for contacting Check Point Account Services.

The issue you have described will require the direct assistance of ZoneAlarm. For support on all ZoneAlarm products, please contact ZoneAlarm directly as below.

To place an order, please visit _http://www.zonealarm.com and click "Download & Buy" at the top of the page.

etc etc.
So I started looking for a solution myself and it looks like I have found one.

In the ZoneAlarm menu, click on
Anti-virus/spyware > Advance Options > Updates
Deselect both boxes (Enable automatic anti-virus updates and Enable automatic anti-spyware updates) and click OK.

To perform manual update, click on Update Now in the main Anti-virus/spyware menu.
Hope that this will help.

I think I will give them hell before I part with my money.

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