URGENT Help Needed - Internet Security / AV Software

[Moglet]

Hi all,

I made a HUGE mistake last night. I switched from Norton IS to Kaspersky IS (rant to follow) and I'm looking for recommendations on a good combined firewall/spam/AV program.

I asked some of the guys on Skype earlier and have so far had the following suggestions:

* Avast
* AVG Internet Security
* DriveSentry (am I wrong in thinking that this doesn't have a firewall - haven't seen mention of one on the site?)

I'm looking into these immediately, as I want to get the Kaspersky software off my system A.S.A.P. and I'd like to get an alternative product in place before I hit the scratcher tonight. Any recommendations would be HUGELY appreciated.

[framejunkie]

My tame nerd put IOBit Advanced System Care on my machine and it seems ok so far. Not sure it has a firewall though. But it is free, and if Max trusts it, it must be ok

[prospero]

That's interesting. All the Grumblers seem to love Kaperwotsit. I have used AVG (paid for) the past few years. Just recently updated to v8.5. Seems to keep all the nasties out. Also got Malwarebytes (free), also beloved of TFG.

Wouldn't say I'm an expert on this stuff though.

[Dermot]

We have been using AVG both the free version on the kids computers (and you can guess the sort of crap that those computers have to deal with as we have no parental control set up) and the paid for version on our business computers and personal computers for about 3 or 4 years now with no issues.

Six systems currently in use….

I have no idea what the difference if any between the free and the paid version is….other than the free version is intended for home users.

[Merlin]

Áine. You need to get onto the Symantec site and get the Norton Removal Tool.

N I 's own in built uninstall package leaves remnants of the programme within the registry. The toolkit will remove those.

Look here for it:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/ts ... 3108162039

[Moglet]

Ta Merlin, also for your help via Skype!

[WelshFramer]

can I be so bold as to drift this thread back to its origins?

What wrong with Kaspersky?

I'm using it with Windows XP on my Mac laptop. I don't know if it's any good or not as I don't have anything to compare it with. As far as I'm concerned it just sits there and keeps telling me my database is out of date so I tell it to update itself wondering why it can't manage to do that by itself without a mouseclick. Doesn't seem to do anything else that I can see except that it probably slow the machine down.

[Jonny2morsos]

Áine. You need to get onto the Symantec site and get the Norton Removal Tool.

N I 's own in built uninstall package leaves remnants of the programme within the registry. The toolkit will remove those.

Look here for it:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/ts ... 3108162039

Don't run two AV systems one one computer as each has proerties that make the other think they are viruses. So you need to do what John says (as above).

AVG seems to have the approval of the techie types I know.

John.

[John]

To prevent this thread from being sidetracked, some off-topic posts have been removed.

Forum Administrator

[Moglet]

Update:

Have run the Norton removal tool OK, but still having problems.

J2M, per Kaspersky's installation instructions, I used the control panel deinstallation to remove Norton before installing KIS. However, after asking here and on The G I was made aware of the above Norton removal utility. Prior to that, I wasn't aware that there were issues surrounding the deinstallation of Norton IS.

Mike, re Kaspersky problems I've had, or read about:

- Sluggish system sluggish when using the internet.

- Problems with creating/previewing posts on this forum.

- Skype IM stopped working (had to reboot)

- BSOD when using Explore (similar problems reported in user reviews on Amazon.com)

- Worst problem I have is that I have problems with the screen handling (and possibly memory usage) when using Corel PHOTOPAINT 10. Still have this problem. Using the Norton removal utility has not fixed this problem. Means that I can't do anything but the most basic of restoration jobs at the moment.

- As a graphics software user, I read with concern a post on Kaspersky's own forum that one user lost a substantial number of JPGs as the program apparently encrypted them in some way.

- There are severaly very negative reviews at Amazon (and from one user on the G) about Kaspersky's tech support. Judging by some reader comments, requests for technical assistance can be completely ignored.

[Merlin]

Áine

Have you tried running the Norton Removal Tool. Also uninstalling Kapersky.

Re install your Photopaint 10

Then disconnect from the internet and running your Photopaint 10.

If so are you still running sluggish

[Moglet]

Hi Merlin,

Ran the Norton removal tool Ok, but have not deinstsalled/reinstalled Kaspersky. Been hunting high up and low down today for my Corel software, but can't find it. Couldn't find an online download source either. Will be posting a request in a separate thread re this.

Corel has the problem whether or not I'm connected to the Net.

[Merlin]

Are you talking Corel photopaint or Adobe Photoshop CS3.

I could only find corel at Amazon

[Moglet]

Photopaint (from Corel Graphics Suite v10).

[Merlin]

with you now.

Just wondering if Photopaint was corrupted in any way and maybe a re install would get things back on track

[Moglet]

Just been having another look at Photopaint, and on further investigation I've found that if I zoom in big time on an image, the layer opacity change starts behaving itself (the correct opacity has always been visible in print preview, btw).

When the image is smaller and I reduce the opacity of al layer, it works OK, but as soon as I increase the opacity (say from 15 to 55), the edit screen then shows the layer as 100% opaque and doesn't visually reflect any further opacity changes in edit mode (cf. preview mode), unless I then zoom in substantially.

Bizarre...

[Mike@GTP]

Did you solve your Kaspersky/Norton woes?

I use Kaspersky Antivirus (not the IS version, which would be overkill since we have a router already), on 15 different machines here in our plaza and home. I love it! While Norton brings a machine to its knees, Kaspersky doesn't. (performance hit) It is rated #1 by several magazines.

Previously I liked the pro/paid version of AVG, but that program has taken a nosedive since verison 8. One reviewer said that it catches just over 50% of the bugs, and I can confirm this from what I have seen in the field. Just about every time I'm hired to clean a computer that has infections, they have AVG installed. (or nothing)

I updated from Kaspersky AV 2009 to the 2010 version last night, and it's just as good.

One thing that is an absolute NECESSITY is to remove any old A/V program, and then REBOOT, before installing Kaspersky or any other product. Norton is notorious for conflicting with other products, if installed beside them. It can also be very difficult to remove, but they have a tool on the website to help.

Best regards
Mike
USA

[bilhughes]

Kaspersky , Kaspersky , Kaspersky
is the one for me but it does not like even the tiniest bit of any of its competitors on your system