Norton & Avast

[1HandInMyPocket]

I have Norton Anti-virus ('94) and have renewed my subscription since I first installed it. Incidentally, I also have Ad-aware and spybot S&D. Now for some reason my virus definitions are 2 weeks out of date. I did run LiveUpdate and it still has not changed the date of my virus definitions. I went to the website and it was not any help when I try to follow their instructions.

Now I did a search on this site (though most info was old) I am thinking of using Avast instead.

I am not a real computer literate person, and at times can get easily frustrated when I encounter problems. So I have 2 questions.

1) I've heard Norton is difficult to uninstall. In fact I do not see an option to do so in the start up menu. Should I and how do I uninstall Norton? Keep in mind I don't use my computer for games (aside for on-line poker), just surfing the net and keeping track of finances on my computer. Is it best to leave Norton alone (not uninstall) and just not run it.

2) Is Avast still a good choice?

edit -> 3) will Avast be compatible with the above programs?

Many thanks in advance,
1Hand

 

[WoodPeckr]

Been using Avast with no problems since dumping Norton on 9/2006.
I like Avast better because it is less bloated than Norton which I used since 2000.

Norton is a pain to uninstall.
I got rid of Norton by:
1. Using the Norton Uninstall program.
2. Then did a search in files & folders in the PC to remove all files and folders Norton/Symantec left behind. Did a search for Norton, Symantec, and anti-virus and deleted the several files and folders that remained.
3. Get a free 'registry cleaner' from C-Net and run it to remove the remaining registry keys left by Symantec/Norton.
Doing those 3 things should pretty much clean out Norton.

The other option is save what you need and 'format' your drive and start over. It takes more time but your PC will act like it's new again. Then you can put whatever you want back on your PC as a clean install.

 

[Rigel7]

I have Norton and for me it has been beast. Chews up my hard drive like anything. I have called service and their option has been to go and kill the old virus defs. But I have to do that once every two weeks.

 

[Squirt]

i use avg free with no issues.