Security software for a new computer?

[arbusto_baboso]

Wife and I bought a new system for the home yesterday. Haven't connected yet. In any case, I'm wanting some input about security software.

I know Norton is the one that everyone seems to be using, but I've heard some horror stories about dealing with their help desk. Are those stories exaggerated, and should I go with Norton, or are there other, better programs out there?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Post this in the Computer forum -

they know EVERYTHING, and they're really wonderful folks, eager to help.......

[DS1]

2. Actually we're all bitter IT people, and conspire to give the wrong answers out of spite

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. Yeah, well, I enjoy sending you virgins,

in the futile hope that, when my time comes, you'll be quick..............

[arbusto_baboso]

3. Thanks.

[seemunkee]

4. Noton is bloatware

and useless. I just booted Symantec out of our network at work because it sucked.
There are several good free products out there. I use AVG and I'm happy with it.

[texanwitch]

6. I have a new computer and I use Webroot Internet Security.

It protects the whole computer, firewall,anti-virus, just everything.

It is also good for 3 computers.

[HopeHoops]

7. Norton 360 works VERY well on Vista.

I've heard all kinds of horror stories about using it on XP and the entire product base blew chunks on Win 98. I use it on the Vista laptops and it is quite good - the newest version in particular. You download it directly from the Symantec site so you don't need to buy a boxed copy. They just released a newer version, 3.0.0.135, and it is FAR better than previous versions at not eating system resources when it does background tasks.

As for tech support, the last problem I had was my mistake (didn't notice one of the PCs had a different Norton package - not 360 - and that's why it wouldn't recognize my key when the subscription expired). I got right through to someone who knew the product line and we resolved it fairly quickly. He was probably in Bangalore, but at least he wasn't living off of a decision tree. He knew the product and that's unusual for software support these days.

[texanwitch]

9. I just received a new computer with Norton 360.

I haven't made up my mind to use it yet.

I still had time left on the Webroot software.

[HopeHoops]

10. Make sure it is 360. Some of the versions they ship aren't the full package.

If it is 360, have it update itself to 3.0. It is much better than what I started with.

[texanwitch]

12. Thanks for the info.

I will find out.

[TrogL]

8. Spybot search and destroy, Malwarebytes

...are both freebies. Stay well away from Norton. Trend Micro has a good product.

[pokerfan]

11. For my Vista boot, I use AVG and Spybot

But I mostly boot into Linux these days.