Security → Question concerning switching from Norton to Avast soon.

I currently have Norton Internet Security 2006 (expires soon)..I didn't realize that there was good free anti-virus products out there..I am looking at the Avast 4 Home freebie (includes updates). Their support forums are showing that several Avast subscribers are having difficulty completely uninstalling NIS..the Avast tech expert seems very helpful, and gives detailed links/instructions on the removal of Norton. However, I would like to get a rather unbiased opinion on whether it is possible to install Avast successfully, after running Norton for nearly two years..the Avast tech support seems to suggest that this can be a problem if you ever had Norton to begin with..also, I just ran a full sysem spyware scan with Windows Defender (free)..it picked up two infections that Spyware Doc ($30) missed..I may ditch Norton and Spyware Doctor (saving $100 or more)..I plan to buy a new pc sometime this year anyway..any thoughts on this? Thanks

i think is very possible to remove norton and run a different av subsequently without any problems. Remove Norton using add/remove progs and only run the tool below if you have problems
»service1.symantec.com/SU ··· 08162039

Cudni

Not in all, but many cases the uninstall didn't fully remove norton, which caused other programs to have problems, possibly even still detect Norton was installed/running. Even after using the special uninstaller at times there are still many artifacts left behind wasting space on your computer.

Just make sure you go into your program files and see it's gone. It should work, i dont know why there would be problems...i guess just little bits of info that Norton leaves behind.

Follow the recommendations at »www.suncitycc.org/docs/N ··· int.html and you should be okay.

If you've been using Symantec products over the years and have done some past upgrades, downloading and Running the Norton Removal Tool from »service1.symantec.com/SU ··· 08162039 is recommended after running the uninstall routines.

Getting rid of Spyware Doctor is a good idea. It's not much of a security app IMO.

As for NIS 2006 replacement, I like Avira AntiVir PE and avast! 4 Home Edition.

Hi juking! I did the very same thing that you will be doing. Late last year I uninstalled NIS 2006 and used their removal tool. I was left with a running process and some folders. I also still have 2 services listed which are now disabled but I can't seem or know how to delete them. I also have some registry entries leftover. Since I'm not an expert, I don't mess with the registry . I also ran the removal tool several times and tried to run it in safe mode (if I remember right it wouldn't run in safe mode). I deleted most of what I could find (files, folders).

After all that, I installed Comodo firewall and Avast. In that order. The only problem I had with either is that Windows Security did not recognize either. I did a manual fix for this. And all was ok. I also added Windows Defender with no problems. I don't depend on Defenders scanning results. I have plenty of other good and free scanners for this.

My computer is much more responsive without Norton and I will never again install a Symantec product on my machine. Lesson learned. I hope you have better luck than I did. Even though I have bits and pieces, I got the bulk of it and everything seems to be fine. Now if I could just find a registry guru.

Cheers, balloonshark

If this is of any help. I removed Norton from 3 computers a couple of months ago. First using add/remove programs and then using the removal tool at the suggested Norton site. I installed the free AV on all three and have had absolutely no problems as of yet. I agree that without Norton products all 3 of my computers run faster and with less problems.

Would it be o.k. to just use Window's firewall with avast?

Yes, but only to a point. You won't have outbound security with the windows firewall. If you are careful where you visit and pay attention to what is happening on your system you should be ok. But, you might want to look at a firewall like Comodo. It's free. I run it with Avast.

Would it be o.k. to just use Window's firewall with avast?

Not enough if you browse the net recklessly.

Better if you purchase a decent router (Linksys, D-Link, Cisco, Zyxel...)and then you can use Windows FW with Avast without worrying about infections.

In addition you need to turn off unnecessary services, keep Windows up-to-date with security patches and run under a limited account.