Full Norton Security Suite - Anything Else?

Hello,

I have a new laptop and have Norton Security Suite installed (free with Comcast cable), are there any other antivirus/antispyware/firewall/malware programs I should download to ensure I have full protection? Or since I have the full Norton suite, everything should be covered? Any input and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

Spyware Doctor and Registry Mechanic.

'bout all you need.

 

In my opinion, both of those are unnecessary. Spyware Doctor turns up a lot of false positives, and if you use it for real time protection, it really bogs down your system.

Registry Mechanic's features are all covered by the freeware app CCleaner, and besides, cleaning the registry is little more than a placebo anyway - little to no performance benefit.

You should be completely covered with NIS - Norton's detection and removal rates are superb, and it's light on system resources. If you're really really paranoid and want to get something else, I would get MalwareBytes (and turn off real time protection) and scan your computer periodically (every month or so would be ample).

 

Then Symantec has really turned it around. The last time I used it, it was buggy, slow as hell, and ate up system resources like there was no tomorrow.

 

Symantec redesigned Norton Internet Security 2009 from the ground up focusing on detection rates and system resource usage. It's so transparent that there's a CPU usage gauge on the NIS control panel, showing you how much CPU is being used and how much of it is due to NIS. RAM usage is likewise minimal - I think I remember my NIS install only used a combined (multiple processes) ~10-15MB RAM.

I've also experienced no problems with stability whatsoever, and the updates were completely seamless (watching a CPU usage gauge, you wouldn't be able to tell when NIS is updating).

 

I personally wouldn't believe their own gauge, especially if it's a product that is heavily marketed as being low on system resources. I'm not saying they're dishonest, but I wouldn't put my whole faith in it.
Regardless, if it's as good as you say, then it's a huge leap forward from last I used them. Still, I wouldn't pay for any antivirus program these days, not with very good free ones available (MSSE being the top of my list).

 

sandboxie, MBAM, clamav/clamwin free, jv16, keyscrambler, safensec, truecrypt
firefox : WOT, noscript, adblock plus, redirect remover, virusscan
Ixquick browser

 

Yes, a combination of free security programs can give you an equivalent amount of protection to the paid varieties. But the paid versions offer seamless operation and a variety of other convenient features that the free versions do not.

It's the equivalent of filling you own tank as opposed to paying a small fee someone else do it for you: In addition, they check all the fluids, tire pressure, and clean the windshield for good measure.

 

We have 5 systems in our house and we use Norton on 3 of them (annually we get the latest InternetSecurity suite for a small amount or zero after rebates) and use MSSE for the other two. Both are good but Norton seems a bit better (especially on system resources - MSSE when updating or scanning seems to hog more). I am happy with both and as long as I can every year get it for next to zero (with rebate) I will continue to use it.

 

Norton Internet Security on its own is fine. Just keep an eye on it.

Use Ccleaner if you want to clear your computer up. How much real benefit you get from it is debatable, but it does feel good.