Mcafee or Norton

Rick0024 · 07-24-2006, 07:37 AM

Hi I have Norton on my desktop and Mcafee on my laptop. Norton allowed me to use their CD on 3 computers at once. I assume Mcafee will let me do 2 computers with 1 disk. Mcafee I've only had for a year it came with my laptop and it's time to renew. With Mcafee I never have to do virus scans or updates which is nice, it does it when I'm signed on I think. With Norton I have to virus scan myself once a week, I think it also updated when I'm signed on. Also I never understood Nortons system when they find an infected file. "Exclude / delete" With Mcafee I don't have to go through that. I have to drop one or the other soon. I'm thinking of going with Mcafee.What's your thoughts. Thanks Rick

BBF2530 · 07-24-2006, 11:25 AM

Hi Rick0024. Let's try to answer your questions one at a time.
-The version of Norton you have which allows you to install on 3 computers is a multi license version. It costs more than a single license version.
-Normally, the OEM version of McAfee which came installed on your computer is only good for one computer. You will not be able to register it on another computer with McAfee, or receive updates. You will most likely need to buy a retail version.
-You can schedule your Norton A/V to automatically update and perform virus scans, the same as your McAfee. You just need to turn on "Automatic LiveUpdate", and go through your preferences to schedule a daily or weekly scan for whenever you want. Once you do that, you won't have to touch it again.
-You can also set Norton to automatically handle infected files in the options and preferences area. Then it will automatically delete or quarantine infections, without prompting you.
-Some people will tell you that Norton and McAfee are "resource hogs". Personally, I have never had a problem. But of course, this can vary from user to user, and system to system

As far as opinions, you will get a great variety. I have had Norton A/V on my system since 2001, in various versions (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 currently). I have been very pleased with it. You can always find good deals on both Norton and McAfee at your retail electronics stores, that with rebates, will get you the newest version almost for free. When I updated to Norton 2006 I received it for $9.00 after rebates. You will also find people that will prefer Kaspersky, NOD, etc, etc.
You will also find people that will tell you that anyone who pays for AntiVirus software is a fool, and they will recommend Avast, AVG, or other free versions. In the end, none of us are 100% right, and none of us are 100% wrong. It all comes down to personal opinion and experience. So do your research, get some opinions, and figure out what is best for you.
Sorry for the long post, and I hope I have been of some help. Let us know what your final decision is, and good luck.

SpySentinel · 07-24-2006, 12:26 PM

Hi Rick0024.
I agree with BBF2530. I have Norton also and I am very pleased with it. I have not had a virus in a long time. When I used to have the Free Antivirus AVG, it let in a few trojans that Norton very quickly caught. I would stick with Norton AV.

Hustler24 · 07-24-2006, 01:44 PM

For me, Kaspersky has the best detection rates of any AV out there.

Rin an online scan at Kaspersky online scanner just to show whether it detects anything that Norton or McAfee doesn't.

----------------

Establish an internet connection & perform an online scan with Internet Explorer at Kaspersky Online Scanner

Answer Yes, when prompted to install an ActiveX component.

The program will then begin downloading the latest definition files.
Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
Locate the Scan Settings button & configure to:
- Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
  - Extended
- Scan Options:
  - Scan Archives
  - Scan Mail Bases
Click OK & have it scan My Computer
Once the scan is complete, it will display if your system has been infected. It does not provide an option to clean/disinfect.

* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

Since it doesn't clean or delete malware, you will have to do it manually yourself.

Why don't you post a HJT log in our HJT forum so that we can check both of your systems out?

07-24-2006, 07:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rick0024 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 168 OS: xp	Mcafee or Norton Hi I have Norton on my desktop and Mcafee on my laptop. Norton allowed me to use their CD on 3 computers at once. I assume Mcafee will let me do 2 computers with 1 disk. Mcafee I've only had for a year it came with my laptop and it's time to renew. With Mcafee I never have to do virus scans or updates which is nice, it does it when I'm signed on I think. With Norton I have to virus scan myself once a week, I think it also updated when I'm signed on. Also I never understood Nortons system when they find an infected file. "Exclude / delete" With Mcafee I don't have to go through that. I have to drop one or the other soon. I'm thinking of going with Mcafee.What's your thoughts. Thanks Rick

07-24-2006, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
BBF2530 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 86 OS: XP Home SP2	Norton or McAfee Hi Rick0024. Let's try to answer your questions one at a time. -The version of Norton you have which allows you to install on 3 computers is a multi license version. It costs more than a single license version. -Normally, the OEM version of McAfee which came installed on your computer is only good for one computer. You will not be able to register it on another computer with McAfee, or receive updates. You will most likely need to buy a retail version. -You can schedule your Norton A/V to automatically update and perform virus scans, the same as your McAfee. You just need to turn on "Automatic LiveUpdate", and go through your preferences to schedule a daily or weekly scan for whenever you want. Once you do that, you won't have to touch it again. -You can also set Norton to automatically handle infected files in the options and preferences area. Then it will automatically delete or quarantine infections, without prompting you. -Some people will tell you that Norton and McAfee are "resource hogs". Personally, I have never had a problem. But of course, this can vary from user to user, and system to system As far as opinions, you will get a great variety. I have had Norton A/V on my system since 2001, in various versions (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 currently). I have been very pleased with it. You can always find good deals on both Norton and McAfee at your retail electronics stores, that with rebates, will get you the newest version almost for free. When I updated to Norton 2006 I received it for $9.00 after rebates. You will also find people that will prefer Kaspersky, NOD, etc, etc. You will also find people that will tell you that anyone who pays for AntiVirus software is a fool, and they will recommend Avast, AVG, or other free versions. In the end, none of us are 100% right, and none of us are 100% wrong. It all comes down to personal opinion and experience. So do your research, get some opinions, and figure out what is best for you. Sorry for the long post, and I hope I have been of some help. Let us know what your final decision is, and good luck. Last edited by BBF2530; 07-24-2006 at 11:39 AM.

07-24-2006, 12:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
SpySentinel Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: The United States Posts: 378 OS: Windows XP SP2	Reply Hi Rick0024. I agree with BBF2530. I have Norton also and I am very pleased with it. I have not had a virus in a long time. When I used to have the Free Antivirus AVG, it let in a few trojans that Norton very quickly caught. I would stick with Norton AV.

07-24-2006, 01:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hustler24 Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 890 OS: Windows XP Home	For me, Kaspersky has the best detection rates of any AV out there. Rin an online scan at Kaspersky online scanner just to show whether it detects anything that Norton or McAfee doesn't. ---------------- Establish an internet connection & perform an online scan with Internet Explorer at Kaspersky Online Scanner Answer Yes, when prompted to install an ActiveX component. The program will then begin downloading the latest definition files. Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT Locate the Scan Settings button & configure to: Scan using the following Anti-Virus database: Extended Scan Options: Scan Archives Scan Mail Bases Click OK & have it scan My Computer Once the scan is complete, it will display if your system has been infected. It does not provide an option to clean/disinfect. * Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan Since it doesn't clean or delete malware, you will have to do it manually yourself. Why don't you post a HJT log in our HJT forum so that we can check both of your systems out? __________________