Utility Programs

[anamorphic96]

I'm aware this forum and sight is deicated to audio questions. But I wanted to get the opinions of some of the folks here on utility programs and thought I would ask anyway.

I was recently given a new copy of Norton System Works which includes the anti virus and spyware functions on top of the hard drive optimization functions it offers. Are these programs needed, and do they tend to hog alot of resources such as memory to run ? A couple of folks I work with do not recommend them or feel there needed. Except for maybe some anti virus software. This system also offers a Go Back function which will restore the system to previous dates in case of problems.

Windows XP offers a disk defragmenter as well as the ability to restore your system to previous dates in case of problems. I use the defragmenter every month or two.

Is all this stuff that the software offers really necessary ? Does it really help ?

My gut tells me all I need is basic anti virus software and spyware software. I have used the free spyware software such as Spybot and Adaware but find they do a poor job.

If the Norton system is not advised can someone recommend some good anti virus and spyware software that I can go out and buy that works really well.

Im using a Pentium 4 with 512mb of ram in case anyone is wondering.

Thanks

[KaiWinters]

I use Norton Internet Security which includes anti-virus, firewall protection and adblocking.
I have been a user and supporter of Symantec for years and still feel that way.
Norton products have always been considered system hogs and if you're a hard line online game player it will use resources that may slow down your fps unless you are using a lot of very fast ram, 2 gigs or over.

I owned an early version of System Works, 2001 or so, I think and did not like it. I had some problems with it removing some functions that I wanted and used. I also felt it was redundant to system tools already included in Win XP.
I find that the tools in Win XP are reliable and do a good job.

Symantec is a very reliable product that does what it advertises. Their support is good as well.
You can alwasy install it if you do not like the way it affects your computer, if you even notice it.

Your description of the computer is very lacking. 512mb of ram is adequate for the majority of people and there are many P4's that run the gamut. Is the computer a major brand, Dell, etc., small store system...Bob's Computers...or your own build? That also tells a lot about what is under the "hood". Major brand computers usually also include varied versions of "Go Back" etc.
What do you do with your computer, especially stating that Spybot and Adaware have not done a good job for you. They are both very highly regarded programs. Their "free" versions do a good job imo and their higher end versions are purported to be even better.
You should also look into what your ISP provides. The big ones all provide anti-virus, spyware/pop-up blockers, etc. are free...you pay for it with your montly fee...and generally do a good job though I am no fan of AOL's feeling they are very intrusive but the wife likes AOL so I live with it...on her computer that is...would not have it on my system.

I use Win XP disk cleanup every day, defrag at least once a week, Adaware once a week and a registry cleaner also once a week. This is in addition to using Norton Internet Security.

[HAVIC]

While I agree with most of what KaiWinters said, Symantec is a system hog. I would only use symantec Antivirus if you are going to install anything from them. Also their is a huge memory difference between just running Symantec a/v and using symantec a/v with spyware. Running the a/v only is much better for your system resources. I use Symantec A/V corporate at my job and we are not 100% satisfied. Symantec came into our office and basically told use that their current a/v technology is way out of date and that they are currently designing a new version from the ground up, which looks much more promising. However this will not be out for another year. So look into either free.grisoft.com which has a free antivirus program (not the best, but really good for free and low overhead) or mcafee ( I hate the user interface), nod32.com is another good a/v product as well. All with less overhead with maybe the exception of mcafee.

Also Adware and Spybot are great freeware tools. Make sure that you update them every so often, especially before running a scan for threats.

As far as spyware removal programs from any company, non of them will get all the spyware. I typically will run up to 3 or 4 spyware program and all of them catch something the other does not.

[KaiWinters]

The Norton Internet Security is not as intrusive nor the system resources hog that System Works is.
It also depends on the computers use. The majority of people use it as a communications tool...email, websurfing, mild games, etc...and do not particularly notice nor need be concerned with the resources...memory, etc...that some Norton products use.
I am/was a hard core online gamer...work to much now so little time left for gaming...and one of my hard drives...I use removeable hard drive trays and multiple hdd's depending on use...specifically for gaming has no anti-virus but only a firewall. I use it for gaming only and light websurfing. This hdd is lightning fast but that is also because I have so little software installed that nearly all resources can be used by gaming. That is a different hdd from my "work" drive which has Office XP, several photo editing programs, email services, etc etc etc. That drive takes and uses more resources and is noticeably slower...fps...when playing an online game.

Again it depends of the computers use, the knowledge of the user to maintain the computer, the hardware and software installed, etc.

[anamorphic96]

My computer is a Compaq Evo. Which was given to me. It uses my old hard drive which is a Maxtor running at 7200rpm. The computer has an Intel extrreme graphics video card with 64mb of memory and Sound Max sound card. The P4 is rated at 1.8ghz. The computer is nothing high end by any means. But considering all I do is surf the internet, play music, rip MP3's, CD's and use excel and word it seems to do the job just fine. I do no gaming except for the occasional game of tetris or solitaire.

I will probably wait to install the software until I upgrade the memory or computer. I figured it would be a memory hog.

I have also been informed to stay far away from Mcaffee products. Not sure if there is any legitamacy to this but thought i would mention it.

Thanks

[KaiWinters]

Based on your computer usage you will be well served by using the AV and Firewall of Norton. Leave the other utilities alone and there will be less memory grabbing.
Make sure to use disk cleanup, defrag, adaware, etc often to keep clutter free and running nicely.
Your computer is fine the way it is for your described usage. 512mb of memory is adequate.
Compaq already has enough "bloatware" on its own without adding to it with the Norton System Works adding to it.
You have a nice system...enjoy it.
Good luck and enjoy.

[anamorphic96]

One thing I did not mention was that when I received the system. It did not have any of the extra clutter and software you get when you buy a system. The only thing that was installed was the professional version of Adobe and the XP professional operating system. I must admit it's real nice to have everything this streamlined and striped down to only the stuff I use. I will go ahead and install the Norton Personal Firewall which came with the software bundle.(Forgot to mention the firewall software came in the software bundle seperate.)

Thanks

[swicken]

From my personal experience with computers (which includes many years as a computer technician) I have seen nothing but problems with any norton product.

Their ties and dependancies and overall system memory usage are not worth the rather lackluster protection they provide.

When I build computers I always put the exact same combination of things on there to prevent spyware/adware. AVG Antivirus, and Microsoft Anti-Spyware. I've never had a person come to me with a problem since then (including my parents who are virtual computer retards)

[KaiWinters]

Swicken please talk about your experience with AVG AV. I have been to their website and read up on them but have not tried their stuff yet.
I also use MS anti-spyware on my gaming hdd and find it does a decent job...surprise surprise.

As I posted previously I have not had any problems with Norton products but watch carefully what I use, tweak my system for speed, clean it up often and either use Norton Ghost to bring back a pristine copy of my hdd or a complete system overhaul a couple of times a year more or less. Depends on how I feel it is running. Most people seldom use disk clean of defrag so slow computers is the norm and they do not even realize it.

[HAVIC]

KaiWinters, I use the free AVG. It is good for free, uses much less memory than norton/mcafee. Pcmagazine or pcworld just had a a/v test comparison of about 8-10 av programs. Mcafee was number 2, norton(symantec) was around 5th and avg was 6th or 7th.

Also Ms anti-spyware is not MS. They bought a company called giant and put their name on it.