Norton stopping my internet connection?

[Marmite]

Argh, this is really annoying me now.

Have my computer connected to the internet and a little home network with another PC and the 360. Its been absolutely fine, then recently its allowed me to connect to the internet for a few mintes before it says it cant connect to any sites. The thing is, the other computer and the 360 connect fine still (im writing this on the other PC while mine says it cant conenct).

I ran the diagnostic thing and it says that i should "check firewall settings for the HTTP Port (80), HTTPS port (443) and FTP Port (21)."

I had the exact same problem last week and after running a Norton update it seemed to sort itself out. Obviously not for long though.

Its driving me up the wall now as i cant seem to figure out the problem myself.

Can anyone help me?!

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

Just get rid of Norton. That program is the worst thing I ever had on my PC. Replace it with smething like AVG, which is much better.

[Marmite]

You reckon?

OK, if i do that, then what are my options? Are they free?

[Crisp_Rapper]

Just get rid of Norton. That program is the worst thing I ever had on my PC.

seconding this. installed it a few days ago, removed it a day later. piece of fukken ****e.

[Marmite]

Ah, seems i have a **** one then!

Do we have a thread for security programme recommendations? I need some help as i dont really know what my options are, or exactly what i need to be honest. Thats AVG site seems to have free versions and pay for ones. Dont know if the pay for option is really needed or not.

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

I've been using AVG Free for about 5 years and never had a problem. Never seen the point in paying for it as I've never needed anything more than the free version.

Just make sure you get rid of Norton asap. it came installed on my old laptop and EVERY time I opened up a program, went only a flash site or tried an emulator, I got the pop up box. Plus it slows down you computer no end.

UNINSTALL NOW!

[Oh_Mutants]

Is the free AVG really enough to protect a P.C thoroughly then? I know the free download doesn't come with a firewall, but i guess you can just use Zone Alarm for those purposes? Would these two in combination really be enough?

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

Is the free AVG really enough to protect a P.C thoroughly then? I know the free download doesn't come with a firewall, but i guess you can just use Zone Alarm for those purposes? Would these two in combination really be enough?

I'd say so, but then I use windows firewall and my routers firewall as well, so I'm pretty much covered.

[Dogg Thang]

If there are four words every PC owner should have drilled into them, they would be 'get rid of Norton'. Your computer is better off with no virus protection, no firewall and an open invitation to hackers everywhere than it is with Norton, which gets everywhere, chews resources and can break way more than a virus can while it does its thing. It's hell to get rid of too, by the way. It leaves pieces everywhere but there's advice on the net on getting rid of it.

For me, Norton prevented my XP machine from shutting down (a minor problem) and entirely killed a Windows 98 machine dead by messing with some system files. What it didn't actually do successfully was catch viruses (or virii or whatever).

I'd recommend Nod32 but AVG is good. AVG is great for catching something but it does sometimes mean you have to manually get rid of it. Nod32 seems to catch everything and get rid of it with no hassle. That and a combination of AdAware and Spybot S&D and you're sorted. AVG is free though. Best thing is probably google some comparison sites or review sites and see what suits you.

[huxley]

Not used AVG, but after the vista trial I kept Avast and that works a treat.
On my laptop Norton used up so much memory etc it slowed everything down.

[NekoFever]

Amen to getting rid of Norton. It's a **** to completely uninstall (why it's so difficult when other security programs can be removed as easily as any other program is beyond me) and really not needed. Install an antivirus program - there's AVG Free which is fine, and I also recommend the paid-for NOD32 because of how small the client is - and something for spyware.

As for firewalls, as long as you're not stupid about it I haven't found a great deal of use for software ones. A router with NAT provides a decent amount of protection, and then coupled with a virus scanner for trojans, regular Windows updates for security issues, Firefox for web browsing to make malware that much less effective, and a bit of common sense in the links that you click you'll be a hard target.

Not as hard as me and my Mac, of course

[Marmite]

Ok, ive read the suggestions for what to us einstead but to be hoenst im not exactly up to speed on firewalls, spyware etc. I have a basic understanding of what the premise of each is, but thats literally it (and could be wrong!).

Can anyone just give me a step by step guide (plus links would be lovely!!) as to what i need to download, and where i can get it from to make sure my PC is sufficiently covered (ie at least what i have been getting from Norton Internet security and antivirus etc etc).

Would be massively helpful as opposed to trawling the internet doing the research (i would usually but busy at work nowadays)

[Kongster]

Zonealarm free version is what I'd recommend for a firewall.

[bootmonster]

avg pro is worth paying the extra for as well if you are that way inclined