quick question about McAfee

bignothing · 09-18-2005, 07:34 PM

I recently installed norton antivirus on my computer (running windows xp media centre edition 2006) and just read that post about how crap norton is. now, the place that sold me my machine gave me a disk for McAfee VirusScan 2006 10.0 and i didnt install it because i was an idiot and figued norton would be better

so...im wondering...

1. is it a good virus protection prgram/ brand?
2. should i leave norton installed on y computer and then install mcafee over it?
3. is that safe? or may i runinto problems (i want to have no problems with this at all, and want my computer to be in tip top shape :()

... just a thought. i think i mayyy be able to use system restore to a date before i installed norton...would that work or is there something that i dont know about that would mess it up? (i probabyl sound paranoid/ dumb with all this)

thanks in advance,
dan.

**Resolution** · 09-18-2005, 07:55 PM

This is obviously just my personal opinion, but McAfee is just as worse. These companies are actually helping viruses to spread uninhibitedly. They want people (especially the *vast* majority who buy pre-installed computers from Dell or Compaq/HP) to pay a subscription fee after a certain amount of days. If you don't pay, then you don't get to update your virus definitions. I can't tell you how many computers I've been asked to fix where they were overun with viruses because Norton or McAfee's free trial expired. I've also run into problems a number of times when it came time to uninstall McAfee. I just refuse to use either product.

If you want my recommendation, download AVG Antivirus. I've been using it for about 2 or 3 years now. It's free, constantly updated, and it works.

**keymaker** · 09-19-2005, 10:08 PM

hi BigNothing,

dump Mcafee and download AVG from www.majorgeeks.com

AVG works better than both norton or mcafee and it doenst take alot of system resources. it detects more viruses too.

**jgvernonco** · 09-20-2005, 09:05 AM

I would advise you to uninstall Norton; help for that is here

AVG or Avast will work fine. Send them a donation.

bignothing · 09-21-2005, 12:47 PM

thanks for all the help,
one more thing:
before i go uninstalling norton...will it be safe to? i think i read somewhere that it attaches itsself or shares the same files as some important programs. so, am i at risk for uninstalling it?

oh, i also read that removing norton link, and i guess i will be fine, but im paranoid (as im sure anyone, especially, with a new machine would be) about keeping it healthy.

thanks again

bignothing · 09-22-2005, 07:49 PM

oh and also i have adaware and spybot.... is that enough for a good protection? (puls internet scans and i was thinking of gettign pop up blocker again)

sorry for all the questions... just wanna be safe

**koala** · 09-23-2005, 05:17 AM

The instructions in JG's link seem to cover everything. Make sure your software is in the 'Will SymNRT work for you?' list, and if you have any more problems after uninstalling, post back.

You can never have enough security software

In addition to AdAware and Spybot, you could also try a-squared, XoftSpy and Spyware Guard. All free and regularly updated.

bignothing · 09-23-2005, 05:26 PM

thanks for your reply. its also good you reminded me to check that list, cause i noticed my version is not on there (Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition 7.6)... so i did some searching and i think i found a way to remove it here . now.... it says the best way is to just add/ remove programs it... but then after i do that is that when i do the method they outline, or is that just a way to take it off without add/remove-ing it? thanks again.

09-18-2005, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
bignothing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 18 OS: XP	quick question about McAfee I recently installed norton antivirus on my computer (running windows xp media centre edition 2006) and just read that post about how crap norton is. now, the place that sold me my machine gave me a disk for McAfee VirusScan 2006 10.0 and i didnt install it because i was an idiot and figued norton would be better so...im wondering... 1. is it a good virus protection prgram/ brand? 2. should i leave norton installed on y computer and then install mcafee over it? 3. is that safe? or may i runinto problems (i want to have no problems with this at all, and want my computer to be in tip top shape :() ... just a thought. i think i mayyy be able to use system restore to a date before i installed norton...would that work or is there something that i dont know about that would mess it up? (i probabyl sound paranoid/ dumb with all this) thanks in advance, dan.

09-18-2005, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	This is obviously just my personal opinion, but McAfee is just as worse. These companies are actually helping viruses to spread uninhibitedly. They want people (especially the vast majority who buy pre-installed computers from Dell or Compaq/HP) to pay a subscription fee after a certain amount of days. If you don't pay, then you don't get to update your virus definitions. I can't tell you how many computers I've been asked to fix where they were overun with viruses because Norton or McAfee's free trial expired. I've also run into problems a number of times when it came time to uninstall McAfee. I just refuse to use either product. If you want my recommendation, download AVG Antivirus. I've been using it for about 2 or 3 years now. It's free, constantly updated, and it works. Last edited by Resolution; 09-18-2005 at 08:02 PM.

09-19-2005, 10:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
keymaker Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,154 OS: windows xp	hi BigNothing, dump Mcafee and download AVG from www.majorgeeks.com AVG works better than both norton or mcafee and it doenst take alot of system resources. it detects more viruses too. __________________ AVG Spybot SpywareBlaster Adware CCleaner Diskeeper ZoneAlarm

09-20-2005, 09:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,958 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	I would advise you to uninstall Norton; help for that is here AVG or Avast will work fine. Send them a donation. __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

09-23-2005, 05:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,336 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	The instructions in JG's link seem to cover everything. Make sure your software is in the 'Will SymNRT work for you?' list, and if you have any more problems after uninstalling, post back. You can never have enough security software In addition to AdAware and Spybot, you could also try a-squared, XoftSpy and Spyware Guard. All free and regularly updated. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

09-21-2005, 12:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
bignothing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 18 OS: XP	thanks for all the help, one more thing: before i go uninstalling norton...will it be safe to? i think i read somewhere that it attaches itsself or shares the same files as some important programs. so, am i at risk for uninstalling it? oh, i also read that removing norton link, and i guess i will be fine, but im paranoid (as im sure anyone, especially, with a new machine would be) about keeping it healthy. thanks again

09-22-2005, 07:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
bignothing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 18 OS: XP	oh and also i have adaware and spybot.... is that enough for a good protection? (puls internet scans and i was thinking of gettign pop up blocker again) sorry for all the questions... just wanna be safe

09-23-2005, 05:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
bignothing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 18 OS: XP	thanks for your reply. its also good you reminded me to check that list, cause i noticed my version is not on there (Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition 7.6)... so i did some searching and i think i found a way to remove it here . now.... it says the best way is to just add/ remove programs it... but then after i do that is that when i do the method they outline, or is that just a way to take it off without add/remove-ing it? thanks again.