Norton anti virus outrage

[pcsky3]

I have Norton anti virus, my computer got infected with a virus anyway & Norton wants $99 to fix it? What am I missing here? I thought that's what I paid for already. Can anyone recommend an anti virus program that works? (free would be nice but not absolutely required)
Thanks
Dennis

[FlawleZ]

Try Antivir from Avira.

[brightwindow]

I have used Bit Defender for 3 years and have liked it a lot. I used to have McAfee and before that Norton, did not like either one.
Bitdefender is around $32 and it covers everything. great support also.

[rogard]

I would be more outraged at a software company that makes you pay for a solution that plugs their bugs and holes

Anyhow three free alternatives are:
1) avira
2)Avast


two paid for options:

1)NOD
2)Kaspersky

[brightwindow]

Yeah, i am totally agree with you.

[madman2233]

I think Microsoft Security Essentials is actually pretty good. Free, totally non-intrusive, good protection, and lightweight. Its very surprising considering Microsoft made it.

[LagunaX]

I second microsoft security essentials.
No annoying nags like Avira though Avira is pretty good.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

[shoota]

another vote for MSE

[Chevelle]

+1 for MSE. Alot better than Norton.

[RejZoR]

avast! Free or MSE. And you don't have to pay anything for them + they are just as good as any other payable product.

[HeXploiT]

The three A's AVG Avast and Avira.

[crackhead2k]

Using ESET paid, very good for 2 years +

[LaMpiR]

I use kaspersky internet security, you can get the licence on ebay for 20$ max. It's excellent, I really don't have any problems with viruses.
I have also in my house, avast and nod. Had problems with those pc's because of the viruses...

[dengyong]

I think Microsoft Security Essentials is actually pretty good. Free, totally non-intrusive, good protection, and lightweight. Its very surprising considering Microsoft made it.

MSE is great but it doesn't have a firewall.

Kaspersky internet security can be had for 20-25 dollars shipped if you shop around and that's the retail version for three computers.

[winstontj]

were you using updates? and was your antivirus software up to date?

[HDCHOPPER]

Ya which "Norton" product was it ,thay have so many and all are trash except plain jane "Norton antivirus only" been using it for years and never had a problem ,& yes I goto places to get virus on purpose to check sites for my customers and or to prove to them thats where " it " came from ( thay allways want to blame it on there kids lol)

[dengyong]

were you using updates? and was your antivirus software up to date?

Quote the person you're asking.

[Musho]

Another vote for Microsoft Security Essentials. It's surprisingly good for a free virus scanner. It's very lightweight!

[erikmorgan]

I've used NOD32(64-bit) Smart Security for almost a year and I have absolutely no complaints...

Microcenter $89 1year/3-users

[RejZoR]

Forgot to mention one decent alternative. Panda Cloud Antivirus. It's also free, very simple, cures junk by itself, provides good detection and reaction times and is pretty fast.

[Levish]

viruses getting through, can potentially happen with anything, and I'm not following norton is charging 99$ for a tool to remove a virus? in the past they offered tools to remove a specific virus free.

[FatRakoon]

Im using Avast and used NOD32 before that. Both are very nice indeed.

Firewall is the built-in one.

I am constantly looking on some horrific sites, downloading oodles of hookie junk, and doing all kinds of stuff that I should not be doing and I have had ZERO virus infections.

I do not however install any kind of stupid junk that comes along with anything I install. I dont use the extra toys in things like facebook.
Basically, I think all thats needed is to not install junk on your PC. Anything with the words HOT, SEARCH, BAR, or TOOL are basic non starters for me. and every time I go out to repair a PC, you can bet your weeks income that any infections will have been caused by something like this.

[GTSRboy]

I currently have no virus protection on my computer.

I would straight-up rather get a virus than deal with a program that slows your computer, blocks you from doing anything, and spams you with exaggerated warning/ noises/ popups, that in the end doesn't end up stoping virus's and costs your $99.

[RejZoR]

Well, i use AV because of file infectors and exploits mainly. Because even the smartest mind cannot protect you from that.
File infectors can come in any shape and you can't tell a difference unless you know the program shoud be digitally signed but it's not.
File infectors are by far the most difficult to clean and there is no 100% method to restore files. So, once you're infected, there is usually no way going back. Prevention is the only way and ony antivirus can provide that for parasitic infectors. And they can last for decades because of their parasitic nature (Parite B is a good example of that).
Exploits, it depends what kind of exploit they are. If they just redirect you, that can b e prevented. But if you get automatically infected by just visiting the webpage regardless of browser used, then that's a problem.
But i rely on free versions only. avast! 5 is doing a great job. Ultra fast and light (avast! 4.8 was kinda sluggish), i don't even notice it even on weak netbook and so far it has provided a very good protection. And best of all, even if you do get infected, support on their forums will help you out without any need to pay extra. So, you really can't lose in any way by using it. Just a thought.

[Tulatin]

Are you sure that it's a virus proper, and not malware?

In any case, here's a nice simple disinfection method - first off, pull the ethernet cable, and boot into safe mode. Go into msconfig, and disable everything on startup, as well as checking the services for anything suspiscious.

Run Malwarebytes and a GOOD anti-virus program of choice, then go back into windows proper when it's clean, update MalwareBytes and scan again. Just remember that some infections can't be fixed without fire.