Norton Internet Security a Good Idea?

Hitchcock · Cadet Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 2 Location: USA

I found this site last night, while trying to work my way out of the allaboutsearching.com fiasco... I still haven't got it licked, but hope to soon (problem is on my home computer, and I'm at work now.).

But the bigger picture question I'm trying to figure out is if I should have either Norton Internet Security or McCaffey (sp?) running at home - Simply put, the other people at home tend to click first and ask questions later.

I'm impressed with all the info. here, but have little interest in ripping my registry apart every time my son downloads something he shouldn't have.
So.....

1) Are either of the programs I mentioned a good idea?
2) Is one better than the other?
3) If I buy one on my way home from work, is it likely to catch and fix the allaboutsearching problem?

You guys rock.

jvmorris

From what you have written, it rather sounds like the home machine(s?) is running wide open. That's definitely got to change or you're going to be dead meat constantly -- these days.

It is almost mandatory these days that you have a reputable anti-virus software package installed on the machine -- if you want the machine to survive and are not eager to talk to law enforcement officials should someone else zombiefy the machine. So, if you haven't got an AV, get one; install it, read the manual, configure it, run it. Next, you need to update the product using the Internet. You may find programupdates and virus signature updates. Download both and then follow the instructions to install them. After that, run another comprehensive virus scan. At this point (depending on the particular product you select), you need to ensure that the AV programs runs memory-resident every time the machine is booted and continually scans all activity (including e-mail if that feature is part of the package). The other thing you need to do is set up a schedule (and some products will automate this for you) to at least find out frequently when new program or signature updates are available, and you then need to install them.

True, you didn't ask about AV, but you need that before the firewall is honestly going to do you much good. Now, both Symantec and McAfee has AV products that they bundle with software firewall products, so you may find that appealing. On the other hand, there's also no reason why you can't get an AV product from one vendor and a software firewall product from another -- they are completely independent products and there's no inherent conflict (it's just that some tend to use a bit of integration in the control interface, etc.).

Hitchcock · Cadet Joined: May 27, 2004 Posts: 2 Location: USA

Thanks so much for the info.... We DO have Norton AV, just no firewall set up at present. I guess I'll try and see if the virus software will pick up the problem, though based on what I've read here about the allaboutsearching problem, I doubt it will.

Have tried Spybot and AdAware... neither of them provided permanent fixes (for me or the others who've posted about this particular gremlin).

So I guess tonight I'll download HiJack This and learn how the big boys play.

Here's hoping there's plenty of guidance around in the evening!

Thanks again.


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