[Jim]

Currently using zone alarm and AVG anti-virus on winxp sp1 pro.
Am thinking of going to norton as an all in one package, any pros/cons, any other programs worth checking out or should I stay as is?

[Bubba]

I recently switched one box from ZA to Norton Internet Security - no noticable difference, both seem pretty identical.

btw all that stuff is on my Waste if you want it....

[dave]

I, ahem, "aquired" ZA and ther full norton systemworks thing - no problems as yet, all viruses had a cap popped in their collective asses. Will have "re-aquire" them when the licence expires.

[dobbin]

They are both a big step up from the XP built in firewall. I used ZA pro for a while and thought it was quite good, all before hosting my internet connection on a linux box. Its the slowest machine in terms of hardware on my network, has the least amount of disk etc, etc but hasn't been rebooted or turned off in months and still works perfectly and much faster than the M$ powered ones. Plus, its free. But won't be forever if SCO have their way.

[Jim]

I, ahem, "aquired" ZA and ther full norton systemworks thing - no problems as yet, all viruses had a cap popped in their collective asses. Will have "re-aquire" them when the licence expires.

do you use 2 firewalls then? norton & ZA

[dave]

no just zonealarm - norton thing is just virus protection and load of othe system tools, recover tools, clearing space, deleting shit etc.

[Jim]

I thought Norton system works was a firewall as well. the one i put on a machine for my sister was (i think)

[dave]

dunno, well the thing i got isn't. the only thing that it runs constantly is norton antivirus.

[Bubba]

I think SystemWorks is Norton Antivirus and Utilities, whereas Norton Internet Security is Antivirus and Firewall.

But there's probably countless variations of the packages....

[dave]

aye systemworks must be what i got. disk fixing shit and all that.

[Jim]

the main reason I was thinking of changing was to help my computer run better. Genetic host process for win32 services pisses me off an'all. Sounds like I'm better off as I am. Never really fancied norton altho everyone at work seems to use it.

[Bubba]

I've always been a fan of Antivirus because the interface is excellent and the updating process is unobtrusive but works.

Only other one I've tried is McAfee but wasn't impressed, though that was some time ago. There must be a link to a good review of AV apps somewhere?

[unclesomebody]

For a really good firewall check out Sygate.  I haven't done a comprehensive test between this and Zone Alarm or BlackIce but it seems really good. Come highly recommended.