Sometime ago my version of Norton 2010 Internet Security stopped working and Norton released the 2011 version as a free download to all users.

Now my 2011 version is up for renewal and there is no 2012 available as yet, only on beta.

Do I purchase a 2011 upgrade version..

Many thanks for any guidance on this..

I wouldn't use Norton if I was paid to do so. It consistantly underperforms when it comes to detection rates and the amount of resources it hogs is quite incredible. Not only that, it's a pain in the arse to get rid of as well.

Ditch it ASAP and get a free antivi that will do a better job than Norton ever could. Avira/Microsoft Security Essentials/Avast - any of them will do a better job.

Apparently the new version, is much much better than previous releases, does not wank your CPU so much etc... But as ive never run it, I don't know.

As above, would not touch it even if I was paid to do so! Im running ESET Smart Security atm, paid £19 for 1yr/3pc license in February, after running F-Secure last year for around the same price (was going to keep it this year, but pricing was quite a bit higher). For the price, you can't really argue, ESET is consistently one of the best.

Actually, one of my bank accounts (Barclays) include Kaspersky for upto 3 PC's at no cost, which is too a fantastic AV, so check your bank/ISP does not include one free (just don't go near McAfee) - the only reason id never use it is I like really "light" software, that has no impact on performance, and ESET in particular, along with F-Secure are both in this catergory. I don't even notice ESET running on my age old 1.4Ghz Tualatin!! And Smart Security 5 (in BETA) is said to be even lighter!!

We run Kaspersky Business Edition in the NHS, and it kills some of the older machines (P4's and the like) when its updating etc!

Thank you for the feeback.

I knew mentioning Norton would get everyones backs up because everyones hates it.

But, I have been using Norton for years and its works very well without any problems. The later the version the better it works.

Thanks for the heads up on Barclays though and Natwest offer software too.

I have the 2012 Beta ready to install on my system..:)

I have 3 PCs, only the one using Norton was saved from an attack from a rather nasty Trojan spotted and stopped by Norton. The others on the other two PCs let it sit there and strut it's stuff. Once Norton spotted it and stopped it on the one PC, I used Malware bytes (free) to check the other two and hey presto there it was, Malware bytes then stomped on it good style. I like Norton and 2011 is far less intense on processor use, if it's what you've used before then keep using it.

I use "Kaspersky Internet security 2011" it seems very stable and picks up quite alot of the threats. 2nd choice would be AVG free.

This is a fine example of how these awful antiviruses propogate. AVG is worse than Norton and that really is saying something.

If you really must use a freebie, Avira is probably the best.

Just to add. In the IT centre I work in, we use Microsoft Security Essentials. This is an excellent program which is free. It constantly updates itself but I have been working on computers that have been so riddled with viruses that both AVG and Security Essentials have ground to a halt.

The software the Natwest gives out to its customers is pretty basic.

Whilst generally it has a half-decent reputation, unfortunately, MSE (and its predacessor, Windows Live Onecare - hence the name change, because it had such a terrible rep) has been found severely wanting on a few occasions over the years; in work, on the non-PCT systems (which run Kaspersky as part of the PCT contract), the execs were running MSE; they changed to ESET Business edition in March (after realising the licensing situation) and to be frank, after deployment, we ran scans on the machines, and on one machine, there were a handful of trojans and other nasties, picked up by ESET, that had obviously been missed by MSE during their daily 04:00 scans.

Fair enough, one is paid, and the other is a freebie, but whilst a "couple of trojans" may not worry most people, imagine the potential harm they could do if something serious was let through the defences. Thats not to say a paid AV is not going to miss anything; but id be more confident pinning my hopes on a respected AV company keeping my system secure, than a jack of all trades (I really like Microsoft, but they keep trying to be the jack of all trades and should instead, stick to what they are good at).

I suppose its better than nothing; but that is no use to you when its all gone kaput lol! The other problem we encountered, was when I mentioned that MSE is licensed for upto 10 PC's in a business enviroment lol.

The other probalem with MSE, is it only provides AV protection and does not allow much control over the settings; fair enough the Windows Firewall is usable, but it is by no means as strong as one would like. Add to that the fact that MSE is lacking in other area's such as SPAM filtering and email acanning etc, and you (potentially) leave yourself open to allsorts of issues, simply to save a couple of quid.

Would hope that the users server/router would have internal spam protection and firewall capabilities. MSE has a really small footprint though, so that's nice. Sucks that you have to waste time hacking around the popups that Avira free produces.

Thats easy to say, but you know most users of MSE, will be using standard routers with no frills, provided by talktalk and the linke. They may not even have the NAT enabled, and wouldnt have a clue how to do so!

I guess the positive thing about MSE, is despite any concerns with it, it is far ahead of crappy AVG; and the average AVG user will probably move over to MSE!!

I used to know my stuff with computers, until I started using Macs. My brain has leaked out of my ears now, with it being so easy to use.

Antivirus? What's that!?

Contrary to popular belief, Mac's have their own share of Virii (sp?). Its a far more secure system with its roots in Unix, but I seem to recall the first OSX virus was around 2005 or 2006.

You can still get other nasties, and for adequate protection, should really be running a firewall. Many of the top AV companies produce Internet Security packages for Mac users; the worst mistake you can make is to get complacent, in addition to browsing dodgy websites and being a serial "download anything" type person, of course.

The problem with Windows is it pretty much owns the home PC market, and thus is targetted appropriately, in a similar fashion to Linux, due to it sharing control of the internet server market alongisde Windows Server.

There is also a lot of anti-MS skiddies, which does not help lol.

Psh, OSX is just a BSD kernel pushed into a white screen with rounded edges

Trivia: Virii is an incorrect term, the plural of 'virus' is 'viruses'

Lol