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Topic: Is Norton needed with Vista? |
Gordy Hall
From:
Fairfax, CA.
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 11:53 am |
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Norton is trying to get my wife to renew.
Is it necessary on vista machines that run AVG? |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 1:02 pm Re: Is Norton needed with Vista?
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| Gordy Hall wrote: |
Norton is trying to get my wife to renew.
Is it necessary on vista machines that run AVG? |
Never, ever run two anti virus programs at the same time. These applications have realtime resident components that monitor every file you download or open. Running two of these will cause significant slowdowns and possible conflicts between them.
If you are happy with AVG, keep it and lose Norton. If you are happier with Norton keep it and lose AVG.
The only security programs that play nice together are the types that only scan on demand. This includes Spybot S&D, SpywareBlaster, SuperAntiSpyware, Ad-Aware, AVG Free anti-virus, Norton AntiVirus (only) and similar, one-function programs.
Anti-Spyware programs that contain realtime resident scanners include Spyware Doctor and Spy Sweeper and most commercial anti-virus/spyware combination applications. Just about all security "suites" have multiple components that include resident modules and they do not play nice with other security apps.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 1:16 pm
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I should also mention that just because Vista is touted as being the most secure version of Windows ever released, you still need anti virus and anti spyware programs, plus a good software firewall. Any commercial security program you install onto a Vista computer must have a label stating that it is Vista Certified. Any freeware security should at least state Vista Compatible and offer a support forum.
Another thing to note is that free security programs are worth every dollar you paid to use them... Don't expect personal replies to email requests for help, or after submitting samples for inspection. Don't look for instant definition updates as new malware is detected, reverse engineered and definitions are pushed out. Many freeware security applications have daily or weekly updates only. AVG is the exception, having multiple daily updates available, but normally only to paying subscribers. Free version users must check manually for updates, throughout the day.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 2:25 pm
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| How about Windows Defender? I've got AVG and I've also got Defender. For some reason I had believed that the two together was ok. Yes or no? |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 6:47 pm
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| How about Windows Defender? I've got AVG and I've also got Defender. For some reason I had believed that the two together was ok. Yes or no? |
Windows Defender, followed by Windows Live OneCare are the lowest rated anti malware solutions in common use today. Windows Defender receives definition updates about once every 7 to 10 days, but occasionally more often. Checking for updates manually can take up to 10 minutes. I regard Windows Defender as a toy and a POS. It was developed from Giant AntiSpyware, which Microsoft bought out a couple of years ago. That program was also a POS.
AVG does coexist with Defender, as does every other known security product. One thing that Defender is good at is warning you about changes to your preferred settings, like your browser's homepage or search engine. Spybot S&D also performs the same task via the Tea Timer module.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Ron Wright
From:
Modesto,CA
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 8:22 pm
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| when I bought this new computer it said norton will not work with vista .. it came with PC-cillin which has worked (so far) the best of any anti this, anti that, anti anything programs I've used |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2008 9:58 pm
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| Ron Wright wrote: |
| when I bought this new computer it said norton will not work with vista .. it came with PC-cillin which has worked (so far) the best of any anti this, anti that, anti anything programs I've used |
Thank you for mentioning this Ron. I am promoting Trend Micro products and sort of sticking my neck out, as they aren't as well known around here as Norton and McAfee are. PC-cillin is the brand name now assigned to Trend Micro's Internet Security 2008. I'm guessing it will continue into 2009, since PC-cillin has name awareness. And, they are moving their detections into "the cloud," where you are instantly protected against all new web threats, even without ever downloading the definitions for them to your hard drive.
As you noted, older versions of Norton are not compatible with Windows Vista. They have released new versions that are certified for use on Vista computers, including SP1, which radically changed the way security apps are allowed to function. Norton is used to the old way of doing things when it comes to computer security. Their definitions must be downloaded to your hard drive, then loaded into RAM, to protect you from the latest malware threats.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Aug 2008 5:28 pm
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Wiz,
I know what "toys" are, but what is P O S? |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Aug 2008 2:32 am
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I thought "POS" was Point Of Sale 
I've been using the Windows Live One Care for almost two years without problems, It gets regular updates (for the month of July it got 31 updates). But, since it's "Microsoft" to many anything Microsoft is bad, whether it is or isn't. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2008 9:39 am
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Windows Live One Care has been improving over the last year. In a recent test performed by AV-Comparitives.org, MS Live One Care only managed to detect 29% of the combined malware thrown at it. This pales in comparison to the 72% scored by Avira AntiVir. Furthermore, it moved up from dead last to around the middle of the pack.
According to Virus Bulletin's March 2008 report, "Microsoft's OneCare, which early last year failed to qualify for AV-Comparatives' certification, continued on a steady line of improvement but still lagged behind most of the field."
Despite all this, if you use good judgment about where you surf the web, backed up by Trend Micro's Web Protection Add-on, or a similar web threat analysis product and operate with reduced user privileges and avoid clicking on links in scam and spam emails and avoid using easily exploited browsers and keep up to date with Windows Updates and service packs, Live Once Care may be all you need to stay virus and spyware free.
My Reduced User Privileges:
I operate my XP Professional computer as a Power User, which is a less privileged type of account. My privileges lie between a Limited User and an Administrator, much like the new Standard User in Windows Vista. As such, while I may inadvertently acquire a downloaded threat by browsing a compromised web site, that threat cannot be installed into the operating system unless I am completely fooled into self installing a Trojan by running it as an Administrator. This also rules out automatic stealth installation of malware. Since almost all viruses, spyware, adware, fake anti virus, keyloggers, backdoors, bots, relays and rootkits require full Administrator privileges to install, I am protected against them by my reduced privileges.
I have published several blog articles explaining how running with reduced user privileges will protect your computers from hostile takeovers and system infectors and other steps you can take to protect against common web threats. They include the following:
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Aug 2008 10:24 am
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I use the Windows Live One Care and have several clients that are also using it. None of them have had any security issues since they started using it.
I've very careful (as careful as one can be) but I don't know about my clients, but since they are not having any issues I have to assume it works.
I see recommendations for other security packages (other than what is presented on this forum) on other forums, even by those forums security/hijackthis "experts" so I have to assume other security packages also work. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2008 2:38 pm
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I almost became a malware troubleshooting volunteer on a major Hijack This forum, but the time requirements were beyond what I could invest. That may have changed now. The training is intense and one on one with a trained professional malware hunter.
It takes a lot of patience to parse through an entire HijackThis log to ferret out malware executables, dlls, Reg entries and BHOs. It can make your eyes lose focus.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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