Which Internet Security Suite to get included with new computer?

Aaron wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am ordering a new computer (Vista Home Premium 64 bit) that offers an
> Internet Security Suite from Norton, McAfee, or Trend Micro in the
> purchase price.
>
> I am seeking recommendations on which of the three to get.
>
> I am open to advice ranging from one of them being superior, to they all
> are inferior, to which one sucks the least, or even the one easiest to
> remove without hosing the system before installing a different suite.
>
> I also have available Kaspersky 7.0 (which I know will update when
> installed) with one more available computer on its license. It is
> running fine on two Vista Home Premium 32 bit systems.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Well, after a few months of running Trend Micro I return here hanging my
head in shame (well, sort of).

Twice I have had it stall during the Installation phase of the update
process. It downloads the new definitions, then sits merrily running the
'installing updates' without end.

Twice now I have gone through email consultations, and got it to install
updates by using their recommended downloads and registry tweaks. At the
beginning of my second incident I did let them know that if I have any
other troubles I would kiss TM bye bye and use a product from a
different manufacturer.

The only silver lining, if one can call it that, is that they were very
responsive to my complaints, and even had me download HijackThis and
submit its report for analysis. But the black cloud of loss of
protection outweighs the good. If your car keeps breaking down it does
not matter if the best mechanic it the world can put it right, when it
should not have gone wrong in the first place.

BTW, at the beginning of the year Norton 2009 was highly rated by, I
believe, PCWorld (among other mags) but has been supplanted by G-Data in
their May reviews. Maximum PC likes Norton 2009, too.

--

I'm glad my Mom named me Aaron,
That's what everybody calls me.

 

"Aaron" <kem_tek@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uqrVNcD%23JHA.4560@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Aaron wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am ordering a new computer (Vista Home Premium 64 bit) that offers
>> an Internet Security Suite from Norton, McAfee, or Trend Micro in the
>> purchase price.
>>
>> I am seeking recommendations on which of the three to get.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I hear Norton has made improvements upon the oft mentioned compliant of
"bogging down" of the system. I suggest giving it a try, but can't
recommend it from a users point of view as I haven't used Norton since
NAV5.0.

....and I don't like suites.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro--><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am open to advice ranging from one of them being superior, to they
>> all are inferior, to which one sucks the least, or even the one
>> easiest to remove without hosing the system before installing a
>> different suite.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

If you didn't have your mind set on having a suite, you could tailor
your security related programs to your specific needs. What kind of use
or abuse do you put or subject your computer to? Adequate security can
be had for free in some cases, and in other cases a suite is exactly
what is needed (one point of contact for all aspects) - and as you hit
on below *support* is (or should be) the true value of your expense. If
support is nonexistant it can make the program totally useless.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro--><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I also have available Kaspersky 7.0 (which I know will update when
>> installed) with one more available computer on its license. It is
>> running fine on two Vista Home Premium 32 bit systems.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Kaspersky is high on my list also, but I've never used it.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Well, after a few months of running Trend Micro I return here hanging
> my head in shame (well, sort of).
>
> Twice I have had it stall during the Installation phase of the update
> process. It downloads the new definitions, then sits merrily running
> the 'installing updates' without end.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Did you use the protected administrator account *and* run as
administrator when you ran the installation executable? I'm not sure it
is necessary, but I do it now just because I suspect Vista of "silent
failure" in some aspects when installing programs.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Twice now I have gone through email consultations, and got it to
> install updates by using their recommended downloads and registry
> tweaks. At the beginning of my second incident I did let them know
> that if I have any other troubles I would kiss TM bye bye and use a
> product from a different manufacturer.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Support isn't everything - the program has to work too. \
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> The only silver lining, if one can call it that, is that they were
> very responsive to my complaints, and even had me download HijackThis
> and submit its report for analysis. But the black cloud of loss of
> protection outweighs the good. If your car keeps breaking down it does
> not matter if the best mechanic it the world can put it right, when it
> should not have gone wrong in the first place.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

....then again, many people buy cars based on how well they crash.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> BTW, at the beginning of the year Norton 2009 was highly rated by, I
> believe, PCWorld (among other mags) but has been supplanted by G-Data
> in their May reviews. Maximum PC likes Norton 2009, too.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

My opinion?
Those choices?

1 Kaspersky
2 Norton
3 McAfee
4 Trend Micro

Myself - I am using AntiVir on XP Pro laptop (came with Norton) and
Avast! on Vista Home Premium laptop (came with McAfee). I haven't had to
test their free version support channels yet.

 

"Aaron" <kem_tek@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uqrVNcD%23JHA.4560@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Aaron wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am ordering a new computer (Vista Home Premium 64 bit) that offers
>> an Internet Security Suite from Norton, McAfee, or Trend Micro in the
>> purchase price.
>>
>> I am seeking recommendations on which of the three to get.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I hear Norton has made improvements upon the oft mentioned complaint of
"bogging down" of the system. I suggest giving it a try, but can't
recommend it from a users point of view as I haven't used Norton since
NAV5.0.

....and I don't like suites.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro--><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am open to advice ranging from one of them being superior, to they
>> all are inferior, to which one sucks the least, or even the one
>> easiest to remove without hosing the system before installing a
>> different suite.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

If you didn't have your mind set on having a suite, you could tailor
your security related programs to your specific needs. What kind of use
or abuse do you put or subject your computer to? Adequate security can
be had for free in some cases, and in other cases a suite is exactly
what is needed (one point of contact for all aspects) - and as you hit
on below *support* is (or should be) the true value of your expense. If
support is nonexistant it can make the program totally useless.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro--><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I also have available Kaspersky 7.0 (which I know will update when
>> installed) with one more available computer on its license. It is
>> running fine on two Vista Home Premium 32 bit systems.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Kaspersky is high on my list also, but I've never used it.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Well, after a few months of running Trend Micro I return here hanging
> my head in shame (well, sort of).
>
> Twice I have had it stall during the Installation phase of the update
> process. It downloads the new definitions, then sits merrily running
> the 'installing updates' without end.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Did you use the protected administrator account *and* run as
administrator when you ran the installation executable? I'm not sure it
is necessary, but I do it now just because I suspect Vista of "silent
failure" in some aspects when installing programs.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Twice now I have gone through email consultations, and got it to
> install updates by using their recommended downloads and registry
> tweaks. At the beginning of my second incident I did let them know
> that if I have any other troubles I would kiss TM bye bye and use a
> product from a different manufacturer.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Support isn't everything - the program has to work too. \
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> The only silver lining, if one can call it that, is that they were
> very responsive to my complaints, and even had me download HijackThis
> and submit its report for analysis. But the black cloud of loss of
> protection outweighs the good. If your car keeps breaking down it does
> not matter if the best mechanic it the world can put it right, when it
> should not have gone wrong in the first place.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

....then again, many people buy cars based on how well they crash.
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> BTW, at the beginning of the year Norton 2009 was highly rated by, I
> believe, PCWorld (among other mags) but has been supplanted by G-Data
> in their May reviews. Maximum PC likes Norton 2009, too.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

My opinion?
Those choices?

1 Kaspersky
2 Norton
3 McAfee
4 Trend Micro

Myself - I am using AntiVir on XP Pro laptop (came with Norton) and
Avast! on Vista Home Premium laptop (came with McAfee). I haven't had to
test their free version support channels yet.

 

For a new computer, go for ESET NOD32. Its light and gives solid
protection against viruses. It has achieved Advanced + Certification
from AV-comparatives.org for its better detection rate and less false
positives.


--
kavita

God Helps Those Who Help Others.
A Man In Need Is A Man In Deed.
This is all I learn here......