Question about Anti-Virus software .... Please help

[Maelbrigda]

I had Norton way back in 98-2001 and it caused trouble on every computer i had. It even let the Chernobyl virus through which totally wiped my hard drive. So changed to mcafee and it was as bad. had panda anti-virus which was free but limited then for 5 years used AVG free with no problems, now have MSE on my lappy and AVG on my design computer. I also have AVG on my phone and ive never found any problems with it

[tony41]

I'm frustrated with Norton Internet Security. Won't go into the long story. What kind of anti-virus software do you use? The computer that I'm using is a PC purchased in 2006. Any recommendations? ... (other than to buy a different computer)

I am running XP on a computer which is older thsn yours. I have been quite happy with various incarnations of Kaspersky - at present Kaspersky Pure 3.0

[Tallshrew]

I use Avast (free) and I'm very impressed by it. I was let down badly by AVG once and switched to Avast immediately afterwards and Avast seems to have worked great since I recommend it to everyone these days - there's also Avast Mobile for phones.

[billsstamps]

It's this darned renewal business.

Hubby had a nightmare time with McAfee as well on one of his old laptops. He's converted to a MacBook now, but I still prefer a desktop PC (and then use an iPad a lot as well).

Renewal with McAfee annoys me. I just don't seem able to get rid of renewal announcements.

I never been tempted to buy an I Pay A Dollar because it seems to be I Pay a Dollar for everything you want to do, and too many things you can't.

Blessed Linux, if only it had the programmes. A big price to pay for free from spam, and free from being bled dry by Apple.

[johnwash1]

Renewal with McAfee annoys me. I just don't seem able to get rid of renewal announcements.

I never been tempted to buy an I Pay A Dollar because it seems to be I Pay a Dollar for everything you want to do, and too many things you can't.

Blessed Linux, if only it had the programmes. A big price to pay for free from spam, and free from being bled dry by Apple.

What programs do you lack? These days there are alternatives that fill most of the gaps, and it's getting better all the time.

[johnwash1]

Thanks everyone.

I'm just having my first cup of coffee and will have a good read on this thread.

Yes, I'm running XP.

I've got so much old Norton in my computer that there is some kind of weird glitch where "trial versions" are expiring and the paid for version isn't due until August 2014.

This is the second time that this has happened.

I uninstalled and downloaded again and tried to figure it out, but still get these messages. This computer is the only device that the Norton is used on and there are issues with running out of downloads on paid software etc. Says my key codes aren't valid etc.

It's confusing and gives a headache. Really don't feel like trying to deal with Norton support.

It's not that it slows down my computer so much .... that's not the issue. It's this darned renewal business.

Hubby had a nightmare time with McAfee as well on one of his old laptops. He's converted to a MacBook now, but I still prefer a desktop PC (and then use an iPad a lot as well).

Uninstalling Norton often leaves chunks of it behind. If you go to their site there's a removal tool which cleans up better.