[dba-Tech] Norton Antivirus Activation

Because it's detection rates are going down rather than up :o(

Even though it was "beta" I installed this on every PC of all my clients who
did not purchase a real time spyware scanner (CounterSpy, Pest Patrol or
SpySweeper, Panda, etc.). I never had a stability issue with MSAS but since
the release of MS Defender I have had a few. I still have problems I have to
go in and clean up for them - most likely due to MS's allowance of its pals
spyware to not be flagged as such. Given that - there are still a lot of
spyware that haven't chummed up to MS so it does catch and clean those quite
well. I installed SpybotS&D and Adaware on all of those PCs too, so I
basically update them and clean up what MSAS missed. If things get nasty
then I have to do more. Basically its all just an irritation since most of
these PCs shouldn't be allowed to get infected but weak mgt at the location
precludes a more aggressive stance on Interent usage.

Another thing with CounterSpy, Pest Patrol and SpySweeper is that they have
network editions (under various titles) that can be used at a higher level
than the local PC. SpySweeper is not my favorite either and their free
version is a waste of time. But there full product is consistently good.

I never stick all my eggs in one basket. If I had I would have gone crazy
when Norton 2005 was released - what piece of crap. I expect utilities to
save time and prevent problems not cause them! Up until then I preferred
Norton for smaller settings.

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Scott Marcus
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 7:30 AM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Norton Antivirus Activation

John Bartow,

Why is MS-AS "a joke these days"?

My personal experience with MS-AS is that it's the best freebie and even
better than SpySweeper. As far as CounterSpy and Pest Patrol, I don't know.

I don't go by what the reviews say is the top rated (unless it's a new
product, which then gets me to try it). I've actually used all of the ones
you mention except CounterSpy and Pest Patrol. I still find MS-AS to be the
best balance between getting the job done and hogging system resources.

My experience with MS-AS is that it removes the stuff it finds, which I've
never been able to get Spybot and Adaware to do correctly. I don't stick all
my eggs into one basket either. I leave MS-AS running and run the other 2
freebies periodically (monthly/bimonthly).

Scott Marcus

PS. Spybot's teatimer (while annoying) works rather well.