Cute and cuddly Spawn of Satan.
Which to choose?
Published on November 2, 2006 By Bebi Bulma In Personal Computing
I've been thinking about dumping Norton AntiVirus because it hogs a lot of ram and I've noticed a lot of people saying it's just crap. AVG was one recommendation and I've downloaded the free version but haven't installed it yet.

I've been using Norton for years so I've gotten accustomed to it. How does AVG compare in terms of features, processes running, resource use? Can AVG be set to scan once a week at a certain time? Email scan, auto-protect, automatic virus definition updates, etc?

I don't want to install it yet in case something happens with the two running at the same time (if it can happen, it'll happen to me). Just wondering what some other more experienced people would suggest.

Comments (Page 2)
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on Nov 03, 2006
Flow Chart!!
on Nov 03, 2006
I have a gig of ram but it just annoys me that Norton seems to have at least half a dozen processes running. The only other thing running that many processes is my HP printer which is off 90% of the time.

I've never actually had a virus, the only thing that was detected was this "trojan" thing Norton found that was something in my mIRC folder which I put there anyway so I know it was nothing harmless. I also run Spybot and AdAware periodically so I think I'm pretty safe (and the only things those find are ad tracking cookies).

Looks like I'll give AVG a try, I did download the latest 7.5 version off their website. Sometime this weekend I'll try my best to get rid of Norton using the advice given.
on Nov 03, 2006
Personally, I use Avast. I don't mind the cruddy interface since I generally just leave it in the tray to do its thing and keep itself updated.
on Nov 03, 2006
I have a gig of ram but it just annoys me that Norton seems to have at least half a dozen processes running. The only other thing running that many processes is my HP printer which is off 90% of the time.


After I uninstalled Norton I couldn't believe how much improvement I saw on my system.

on Nov 03, 2006
Use nortons uninstall tool to remove it's AV not windows add/remove,you'll have to download it from their site.

After you do that, download and run Nonav
WWW Link

It will clean up the remainder of what their removal tool leaves behind.

I've used Norton/Symantec's home products in the past and hated them. I use the Symantec corporate version from my work now (there have to be some kind of perks to being a network admin ) and it's much, much less of a resource hog than their home products.

I have recommended AVG to some people here at work and they have been very pleased with it.
on Nov 03, 2006
I've been using McAfee since it's free for Comcast customers although yes I know it's probably just as bad as Norton.

when I'm using free stuff I use Antivir. Good program.
on Nov 04, 2006
Hmm...clicked on this post...but got this post instead --> Ok, Umm, HELP! *sigh* Yrag, Corky?

Must be that dang Norton!
on Nov 04, 2006
It's the Matrix....you took the wrong pill...
on Nov 04, 2006
And what a ride it was!
on Nov 04, 2006
Hmm...clicked on this post...but got this post instead


Yeah, I've had that happen a few times now, clicking on one thread and ending up in another.....

Sorta reminds me of road workers....they provide a detour but it's never the shortest route....wonder if they've gotten into WC to ply their trade here/inconvenience its patrons.
on Nov 04, 2006
I've been using System Works on my desktop since I first got it in 2001, faithfully upgrading about six months after a newer version comes out. I've been somewhat happy with it, but that is wearing out quickly. Upgrading, itself, is becoming a major nightmare and long drawn out process. NSW seems to have become just another bloat-ware. I made the (big) mistake of buying and installing NIS on my laptop. Needless to say, I will be switching to something else when my subscriptions run out. I will be going with Bit Defender.
on Nov 04, 2006
Yeah, that's what I was using, Systemworks 2005 (mistakenly said it was just AntiVirus). I did manage to get it uninstalled and installed AVG, so far the only casualty was my Avedesk weather docklet which stopped working and crashes Avedesk for some reason.

The first scan I did with AVG took almost 3 hours! I wasn't expecting that, I think Norton only took a little over an hour.
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