Amen!!!

Ever since I got my Vista computer I've always had errors on my computer because Norton Antivirus was pre-installed on it. I just removed it and now I'm just using the Windows Firewall. I know that's not really secure, but I know what I'm doing when I surf the web and I download files from trusted websites only. I tried using McAffee but what it really did is just slow down my computer.

LMAO

Didn't Jiffy Lube get in trouble for this same business practice?

I don't see the big deal. The ad appears to claim that Norton can help your PC act sluggish. This reflects my experience. At least they're being honest. I applaud them.

I've been using Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition (10.1.5.5000 on XP and 10.2.x on Vista) and have never experienced anything to suggest it was making my PC sluggish.

The reason I'm posting is for clarification, I guess - since I've never used the consumer versions of Norton AntiVirus.

When people speak of Norton Antivirus being a system hog and/or slowing down their computer's performance, are they generally referring to consumer products like Symantec's "Norton Internet Security 2006 and 2008", rather than the Corporate versions?

The complaints I hear about Norton invariably mention its intrusiveness and complexity; it isn't invisible to the user as it goes about its business.

On the other hand, the Corporate Edition is, in my experience, completely invisible - I only know its there when it finds a virus or threat and pops open a notification window.

Could it be that the Corp Ed is not doing as many things as the consumer version (eg: the consumer edition's incoming/outgoing traffic monitor drives most people nuts as they 'train' it to suit their surfing habits)?

I'm certainly not defending the ad mentioned in Rob's post! Whenever I'm confronted with negative characterizations of Norton AntiVirus I react based on my experience - with the Corporate Editions I've used since 1999. I therefore assume the complaints are directed toward the consumer products.

Do you guys know if the Corporate Edition is viewed in the same light as their consumer solutions? What A/V software are most businesses using in your experience, Rob?

I have to renew our annual Symantec license soon and have been trying out other non-consumer versions/solutions on my Toshiba M700, Dell Inspiron 9300 and Motion LE1600 and have found only NOD32 to be worth consideration - Kaspersky was far too intrusive, for example. But since I'm about the implement a Sharepoint 3.0-based collaboration solution for our office I may stick with Symantec for their EndPoint products.

Anyhoooo, sorry to go on and on. Rock on!

That's Funney! So True.

My experience with the Corporate Edition has actually been quite good. It is their consumer products that cause so many problems.

Maybe for $30 you get an uninstaller that actually removes all traces of Norton products.

While I wouldn't say Norton is perfect, the 'sluggish' perception is a bit out of date. As I recall, 2005 was the nadir; since then, the product has been steadily improving in responsiveness, and I'm very content with 2008. All programs have their fans and detractors, but Norton at least has moved beyond their "Antivirus to make your P4 run like a 286" days.

I actually get Norton free from my ISP but after the awful experiences I had with it a few years ago I use the free solutions out there.

Hm, maybe the 'consumer version' has the 'scan on read' also on by default?
To add: the Corporate version gives no problems here either.

HNguyen - LOL, great observation.

I used the corporate version of NAV, and also found it better. But not "better enough". We went with Grisoft's AVG and it was better. Now I do not run any AV software, and am better for it. In all my years of running AV software, it never discovered even one virus. So why bother? Just practice safe computing, watch what you click, etc.

Yeah - most of Symantec's consumer products are big system resource hogs. I personally prefer Kaspersky.