Norton Anti-Virus

[Charlotte Dixon]

I hope you all have some sort of virus protection installed. I have mine configured to check incoming and outgoing e-mail, also. Early this a.m. I had a strange e-mail come across from "June Little". As soon as it popped up I got a message from Norton saying the e-mail had been destroyed because it contained a virus and that my computer was clean. Have any of you gotten anything like that? I'm wondering if Norton or any other of those software companies send those occasionally to keep us on our toes and encourage us to upgrade. I also have the firewall protection because I have cable modem. Years ago, I thought I would just have to buy a computer and turn it on. My, things have gotten complicated! I'm sure many of you are well-versed on all this technology and I would love to hear how you protect your computer.

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

I also have Norton, and it zaps on average three virus programs per week. I also run a firewall called Zone-Alarm, a freebie on the net. The firewall gives notice each time a potential hacker attacks your machine (not all notices result from actual attacks), but you would be amazed how many repeat attacks from the same source take place.

 

[Dave Smith]

Ditto to Ken's comments above. Norton and Zone Alarm have keep my machine alive and well for over a year.

He's right, there are all kinds of hackers out there trying to find computers to play with other than their own.

Computers are like safe sex... use protection.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Charlotte,

I don't take these things lightly anymore. Last summer I was attacked by a hacker that apparently got into my computer through a 'back door' something. I'm not literate on the subject but, fields were being changed before my eyes as I worked. It seems whoever it was had gotten in and just started playing with me. I went crazy!!! My computers were down for 2 days while my nephew ran tests, cleaned out the 'back door' hacker installs and hooked me up to a new router that acts as a firewall plus I have other installed firewalls and virus protection programs. The first couple of weeks after this I had numerous hacker attempts that were caught and deferred from access. Scared the he** out of me! Seems there are hacker groupies out there that will send your computer 'address' to their buddies. Once they couldn't find me anymore it slowed down to nothing.

Make sure you have good firewall and virus protection constantly! It was a really horrible experience!

 

[Jeff Horton]

Norton is great but just remember that if you don't update the virus list frequently it is useless!! I hear people all the time mad because Norton didn't catch some new virus on their computer and when I quiz them they have not downloaded the new virus definitions in months!!

And you can even set up Norton so it updates itself automatically! You don't have to remember. I have mine set to update daily.

 

[Ken in Arkansas]

Jeff's comment concerning updates is right. The minute you install an anti-virus program on your computer it is out of date! Regular updates from the net are critical. I have even gotten in the habit of while I am wasting time on hold on the phone (which seems to be increasing daily), I go on-line and do a virus update. I may do this daily though updates are issued at random. But Jeff's point is on traget - keep that software updated!

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Sounds like you're all on top of it! Now, I have Zone-Alarm (the free one) and Norton Virus Protection (basic). What would the advantages be to upgrading Zone-Alarm to the one that's NOT free? And, is there a setting somewhere on Norton scanned outgoing e-mails saying "Norton" or "Virus Protected?" Thank you to all!

 

[Jeff Horton]

Charolette, how much of a computer geek are you? :lol: From what I undestand of Zone Alarm the free one does a very good job and for most people that is more than adequate. That is what I use. From what I have read the paid version doesn't add a lot that most users need. There are some things that would be nice but I don't really need them.

I am not sure I follow what you asking on your Norton Question.

 

[Mountain Man]

Charlotte,
I looked at Norton real quick, and did not see where it would post a message on outgoing e-mails of "scanned by Norton" or something. Maybe there is a way, but I am not familiar. I guess just type it in the bottom of your message.

Mell.

 

[jtrotta]

Recently aquired zone alarm; have had Norton for over 5 years and like their protection; by the way we're not getting cable or digital where I am any time soon, so I'm still on a dial up system. So they both work on various tag lines, interesting isn't it.