Computer trouble
 

My Norton Internet Security expired and now I think its holding me hostage. My Internet Explorer won't work and I can't sign into certain sites at all with I.E. like this one, yahoo, and of course my banks website. I was trying to figure out what the problem is, and sometmies I'll get an error message about certificates not being authorized because they aren't signed. I've called Comast 3 times and Symantec twice and they just keep passing me off to other people. any of you guys have any idea whats going on? I really think I need to figure out how to delete norton internet security. Control Panel > Add remove programs > remove norton internet security ... isn't working.

Re: Computer trouble
 

[quote=Warpath]My Norton Internet Security expired and now I think its holding me hostage. My Internet Explorer won't work and I can't sign into certain sites at all with I.E. like this one, yahoo, and of course my banks website. I was trying to figure out what the problem is, and sometmies I'll get an error message about certificates not being authorized because they aren't signed. I've called Comast 3 times and Symantec twice and they just keep passing me off to other people. any of you guys have any idea whats going on? I really think I need to figure out how to delete norton internet security. Control Panel > Add remove programs > remove norton internet security ... isn't working.[/quote]

My sense is that you should renew your virus protection service. I know it costs some change, but I'm not fond of leaving my CPU open to the newest worms and stuff.

I'm no computer expert though, so maybe somebody else can offer suggestions for how to take care of the problem without renewing.

Re: Computer trouble
 

Finally got the norton completely removed. things are better now. Currently running AVG virus protection.

Re: Computer trouble
 

[quote=Schneed10]My sense is that you should renew your virus protection service. I know it costs some change, but I'm not fond of leaving my CPU open to the newest worms and stuff.

I'm no computer expert though, so maybe somebody else can offer suggestions for how to take care of the problem without renewing.[/quote]

I know that at least cpayne, That Guy and I are pretty into the tech stuff, so I'll differ to them if I'm wrong, but there are FAR better free options to Norton out there.

Re: Computer trouble
 

Avg works pretty well.

I recommend going to windows SP2 and also trying microsofts antispyware beta.
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx[/url]

Re: Computer trouble
 

Norton = VOMIT

It uses way more memory that it should. Stick with AVG, and have it update daily.

I know it got a bad rap in some reviews, but its free, and it doesn't bog your system down with clutter.

Re: Computer trouble
 

Right, also I think someone else suggested BitDefender. Both are free, I just prefer AVG. I think the memory usage is a bit lower than BitDefender, but BitDefender is a little better at scanning.

Re: Computer trouble
 

For Norton (yeah i really hate it to): you should always use the norton uninstall and not add/remove programs, the norton firewall is notorious for breaking things (like all internet access) and its a resource hog.

If you don't want to pay for a new subscription, you can just uninsstall/reinstall and it should give you another year.


as for virus protection, i prefer bitdefender (its the most thorough anti virus scanner, but its scan speed are also the slowest because of that). [url]www.bitdefender.com[/url] (they have a free version).

AVG is free and always free forever, but the hueristics (finding suspicious files and new viruses before patches are actually available) and response time (time from the company finding a new virus to releasing a patch) are better.

the most important thing is just to have something that works and you don't totally hate.

Re: Computer trouble
 

Warpath, if you are a Comcast customer, you are able to download the McAfee suite through Comcast.net for free. I know it's not much better than Norton, but I've been using it on my laptop at home for over 6 months, with no problems whatsoever.

[url]http://www.comcast.net/security/?CM.src=Navigation[/url]

Re: Computer trouble
 

mcafee is also just a step below norton in invasiveness