Norton security

Mick,
I must agree with Jez and others when they recomend that you get a new box with upto date operating system and security software so I have included a few links for you to click and browse as you look to upgrade your end of the last century PC.

All models
Media Centre for the living and listening room
Extreme Gaming for the young at heart

Roy

Me:

quote:

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Norton AV 2004 is better than the 2002/3 version. I would buy a new softare disc, install it and enter your serial number. This will give you piece of mind that you have a fully up to date licensed software.

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Mike Hughes 2) Online subscription/renewal is equally fine. If it works for you then don't bother switching to the other equally fine products mentioned here. If you have been reminded to renew then you clearly have a legit. registered version and so I wouldn't worry too much about this "piece of mind" nonsense being spouted above. No idea what that's about.

Mike, you rude dimwit,

My paragraph states quite simply that the 2004 version is the most up to date. My mention of a serial numbered disc merely refers to downloading complete softwares from the net, which is mentioned in previous posts.

I have just returned from an evening in an excellent restaurant and have drank far to much.

I shall digest your wise counsel tomorrow.

Thanks for your advice

Mick

For those interested in a consistantly top-rated AV program (and my choice for the last four years):

NOD32

regards,

dave

P.S. Windows XP SP2 firewall does not monitor outbound traffic. I'd consider Zone Alarm Free, Sygate Personal Firewall or Kerio's Personal Firewall before Microsoft's freebie. Note Kerio even throws in an IDS with the free version. All three are application-based with SPF and KPF offering varying degrees of rule-set configurability (therefore perfect for PC/security newbies).

[This message was edited by dave simpson on Tue 17 August 2004 at 4:16.]

Good points from Dave above. NOD32 anti-virus is used by Microsoft to protect their own PCs.

I don't use a software Firewall myself, preferring to use an adsl modem/wireless network router for my 3 PCs. Battleship security and just fit and forget.

So there you have it Mick. I hope we haven't confused the hell out of you!

Mick

my experiences and actions mirror that of Martin D, earlier in this thread. In fact, I vowed never again to use Norton products after they screwed up one of my PC's so badly it required a full rebuild.

Like martin I use AVG Free antivirus, and Zonealarm Free firewall, with real satisfaction. FWIW my operating systems are win2k and winXP pro.

Good luck with your journey, take care not to descend into PC madness!

best

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

cunningplan said "There is a good web site to visit which tests your firewall security called Sheilds Up! http://www.grc.com/"

Steve Gibson is a triumph of marketing over knowledge and frankly his site sucks. For an analysis of "Shields Up!" see here.

The best all-round security site is Security Focus although most home users just need to know the usual Windows Update + Firewall + AVG. Running windows update is by far the most important this to do and will make you 95% secure by itself.

Regarding XP SP2 -- the only problem with it is it isn't available yet. If Mick were considering an upgrade I would wait a month or so until retail/OEM versions of XP include SP2.

Matthew

Ignorance is not bliss

Apologies in advance for what I am sure is a really dumb post...
I have a broadband connection but have never really understood what a router is and whether I need one. Based on this security discussion, it sounds like I do.
Are an internet router, a wireless router, and a gateway router all the same thing?
I've got a PC running windows XP and have no interest in allowing it or my laptop to access the internet wirelessly if that means that either (1) I might compromise my security with someone living nearby stealing my connection or hacking my online bank details or (2) slowing down my ping for online gaming sessions...
However, I would like to stream my MP3s from my PC to my Naim system wirelessly, possibly to an airport express or squeezebox. And I wouldn't mind connecting my laptop wirelessly whilst leaving my PC wired to the tinternet. Based on all that, what router would people recommend / what is the solution?
Any advice gratefully received!
Simon

PS - On the subject of Norton AV, I think its horrible, it seems to hog system resources and foul up your computer occassionally.

Simon,

You can buy combined adsl modem/wireless router such as those at www.belkin.com for about £90

For what you described in your post I'd suggest getting one of these and connect your main PC to it with CAT5 or 6 cable (ie. with wire!). They have a built in firewall so you don't need Zone Alarm or the like, but you will still need an anti-virus such as www.avast.com

Then you will need to fit a wireless network card in each of your other PCs (£35 approx each), a bit more for a laptop version.

From the router's setup screen you can prevent any other PCs with a wireless connection logging onto your network unless you want them to.

On your network you can set up shared folders if you want to so that you can access stuff stored on the other PCs such as mp3 files or whatever. For example if you have a large disc drive on one PC, the others with small drives can store and access their data from there. They can also access the internet via the router without bothering the main machine. In fact none of the other PCs even need to be powered up as the internet access is via the router which is always connected.

On the M$ website there are a number of newbie friendly articles about wireless networking.

Hope that helps.

Matthew,
XP SP2 is available NOW from the M$ website (I installed it about a week ago), but it is a whopping 266mb download. The auto update version is said to be available around 25th August and is said to be 'typically' 100mb if you have kept your patches up to date.

Retail versions which will include SP2 are expected in October.

Jez,
That helped - a lot!
Many thanks
Simon

Count.d

I'm sorry I read

quote:

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Norton AV 2004 is better than the 2002/3 version.

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as stating that the newer product was "better" rather than "the most up to date". I do apologise for interpreting "better" as actually meaning "better". My mistake.

I also read

quote:

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This will give you piece of mind that you have a fully up to date licensed software.

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as being a comment that one gets piece of mind from being up to date, which in the case of NAV 2004 is patently untrue as per the reviews of said product across a wide range of magazines and online pages.

Indeed, as I said, unless you actually need some of the new extras (PDA scanning etc.) then moving to 2004 is simply unnecessary.

You also have to read my comments in the context of the rest of the thread which talks about downloading and the implication therein that having a CD would remove the problems of just having a software download.

Now, was that so difficult?

Dimwit indeed!!!

Mike

...poor Mick. (Look at this thread guys;-)

Dave,
Help me out with sorting Mick's options here.
So basically the advice is to:
1.Stay as is
2.Upgrade Norton via download
3. Upgrade Norton via CD
4. Get rid of Norton as soon as possible
5. Get an alternative 'paid for' AV/Firewall
6. Dont waste your money, get a free AV/Firewall like AVG/Avast/Zone Alarm
7. Get a router you plonker
8. Scrap your whole system and buy new one
9. Scrap your whole system and buy another - but not yet
10. Don't listen to the idiots in this thread, only I know what I'm talking about
11. Disconnect from the evil internet altogether


Overall, I think Mick's choice was best - Go to a restaurant and get stuffed and drunk while the liberal/pinkos/computer geeks/plebs sort it out for me....

"7. Get a router you plonker"

That's the one I am going for. It seems that the only advice where you get unanimous opinion on this forum is when someone asks whether or not they should upgrade to a CDX2...
Simon

Rubbish, only a CDS3 will do...

Oh no you won't, you'll be needing a.....

Oh for god's sake get a life, all of you!!

I have read you wise counsel and have decided to go out for another meal.

Mick

Isn't Mick the best forum contributor?

He's great and I like him.

quote:

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Overall, I think Mick's choice was best - Go to a restaurant and get stuffed and drunk while the liberal/pinkos/computer geeks/plebs sort it out for me....

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Absolutely top choice IMO.

regards,

dave

News from the Beeb on XP SP2:

Home PC users will be able to get one of Microsoft's biggest software overhauls ever later this week.The software giant has told BBC News Online that its SP2 security patch will be put on servers that automatically update home PCs as from Wednesday.

The consumer version is smaller than the business edition released to corporate customers in early August. The software updates Windows XP and fixes many security loopholes exploited by viruses and malicious hackers.

The SP2 update was first promised in 2003 but was only released to manufacturers earlier this month. One of the big changes introduces in SP2 is a Security Center that lets people manage anti-virus software, firewall and key updates in one place.

CHANGES DUE IN SP2
Pop-up ads blocked
Revamped firewall on by default
Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Windows Messenger warn about attachments
Origins of downloaded files logged
Web graphics in e-mail no longer loaded by default
Some spyware blocked
Users regularly reminded about Windows Updates
Security Centre brings together information about anti-virus, updates and firewall
Protection against buffer over-runs
Windows Messenger Service turned off by default

Business users were the first to get their hands on SP2 and many had downloaded and installed the update once it was available.
Early this week Microsoft let business users put the update on corporate servers that spool out updates to the machines sitting on internal networks.

For consumers, SP2 is expected to be about 80mb but it could vary in size depending on how up to date with patches a user's machine is.

Microsoft hopes to get SP2 on to 100 million machines in the next couple of months. By the end of the month users of XP Professional will get a version tailored for them.

Early reports suggest that SP2 can cause problems with some programs that expect to have net access. The firewall in XP is turned on by default which could make these programs work differently, or stop altogether, once SP2 is in place. Users having problems are advised to check Microsoft's S2 support pages to find out how to get software working again.

Common programs that SP2 has an impact on include many games, business applications and even some anti-virus software. Microsoft recommends that people tidy up their PC before they install SP2 and make sure it is clean of viruses and spyware. Although SP2 will help prevent against some future infections, it may not notice if a machine is already infected with malicious programs.

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I have been using it for over a week now on 3 PCs without any problems YMMV

Quote

"Overall, I think Mick's choice was best - Go to a restaurant and get stuffed and drunk while the liberal/pinkos/computer geeks/plebs sort it out for me....

The plebs have not sorted it out....far from it

I am more confused than ever.

I might be tempted to pull the plug on the bloody thing.

Regards

Mick

Seems simple enough sat here. If what you have works, and you're happy with it, renew it and keep safe whatever you get sent in case you ever need to reinstall your computer from scratch.

If you want the latest versions you will pay a little more, and will have to get your hands dirty to install it for, in my opinion, little noticeable benefit.

regards,
Paul

Mick

Use this opportunity to jump platforms - take a look at what Apple offers you in terms of features - ease of use, security multimedia photo support etc etc
you may be very pleasantly surprised

Derek

<< >>

Paul

Thank you.

Regards

Mick

Paul,

Well said that man!

As I said earlier - not many people actually listen to the question. It's not an opportunity to upgrade; switch platforms; move to open source; move to free software or generally float your own agenda. It was just a question!!!

Mike