This is a weird question, but here it goes. Before I left for vacation a week ago, I uninstalled AGV free and installed Yahoo norton protection (the yellow the sign on the toolabr was annoying me and AGV does not have a firewall). Well, I have just come back and now the initinal loadup of my computer takes longer and when I load up my account on this computer, it takes twice as long. I do not use this computer alone, but I have already checked and nothing has either been downloaded or installed in the week of my absence. After that load up, the computer runs smoothly. Is this the cause of Norton or a more sinister item? (As of yet, the virus scan has found nothing.)
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Jason // Mar 29, 2008
Yes, especially if you dont have lots of memory. Use hijackthis to disable items that start up with windows.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php
2 fenderbronco22 // Mar 29, 2008
i had the same problem. first off Norton is terrible its better not to have it but its a good idea to get more RAM because Norton takes alot up and makes your computer slower
3 chahn11 // Mar 29, 2008
First off, if you are using a Router, which most people today are using….Why are you worried about a Firewall? Your Router is the best protection that you could have, provided it is set up correctly. If you are not using a Router (and I would suggest getting one, even if you are not networking. They are cheap, around $60) Windows Firewall is more than adequate.
If you are using Norton or McAfee, and your computer is, say, two years old, yes they will slow your computer immensely. What was wrong with AVG? It is a light weight anti-virus that works real well. I would suggest getting rid of Norton and reloading AVG. You will need a lot of RAM and hard disk space in order to keep Norton running and not slowing your computer. You will also need a fast processor. Pentium 4's are not always adequate these days.
In addition to the anti-virus and firewall, please do not forget about Spyware protection. This is the number one reason that computers slow down, due to an outside presence. Obviously, a virus is bad, but if you are properly protected and do not do stupid things, they are rare, However, spyware is much more prevalent, even from sites that you think are secure. Like Amazon. Advertising software, which in itself is not dangerous (although annoying), will slow your computer down over time. Trojan Horses, which is the most common type of spyware can be dangerous and may open up your computer to other problems, such as phishing.
Here is some information regarding what you need to have in addition to your AV and Firewall. They can all be found at Download.com (http://www.download.com/) Install, then upgrade the definitions, and then scan your computer. You may be surprised at what you find.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spybot_-_Search_&_Destroy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaware
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Defender
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpywareBlaster
Actually, Spybot S&D, Adaware, and Spyware Blaster are available from Download.com, but Windows Defender is only available from MS. Just do a search, and you will find it.
I hope this helps ya' and sheds some light on what you are up against.
Feel free to contact me should you want more info.
Good Luck!!!!!
Made on a Mac!!!!
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