Norton 360

[bgwebster1]

I have been a Norton user for many years and have always had nothing but great things to say about it, until now. I always keep Norton up to date and always on, but last week while on a website doing some reading, my computer just shut down without warning. When I tried to reboot it acted like it wasn't reading the hard drive, so I checked the bios and tried a recovery disk to no avail. After taking it to my local computer repair center and spending $100 for diagnostics, it turns out my computer was infected. I had 27 files infected, 29 registry keys infected, 5 registry values infected, & 2 folders infected. It was my understanding that Norton 360 was complete protection, hence the name. As of now I find myself reevaluating my decision to use Norton. I had just renewed for another year prior to the infection but at a cost of $60 for the renewal and $100 for virus removal I feel like I just wasted $160 which is a lot of money these days.

[mZerd23]

Try McAfee, many says it's bad but when I tried it, it's great so I am now using McAfee AntiVirus Plus.

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

Hi bgwebster1,

Unfortunately, no product can, or does, claim to be able to block 100% of the threats in the wild.  Norton, though, is certainly among the best at preventing malware from infecting user's PCs, and placed first in the most recent AV-Comparatives Whole Product Dynamic "Real World" Protection Test.  The link to the test report is on the right-hand side of the AV-Comparatives main page, under "Latest Reports," here:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Also, it would be helpful to know exactly what malware was found on your machine.  The number of files and registry keys doesn't tell you much, as one infection can manifest itself across numerous areas.  The information you provided does not indicate the actual number of malicious programs that were found.

.

[photo762]

It never fails to interest me, when I see the one liner starting with,

"No one Security Product . . .".

I think people feel more than seriously let down, when their chosen security product is compromised. Once you question your product, you become more and more disillusioned, as to it's credibility. Having no faith in a product, it must be time to move on. Moving on, can only be healthy for the industry. There's not much scope for improvement, if you command market-share.

Another observation comes to light. Are "Company Security Products" more robust, than "Domestic Security Products". Although companies do get hacked, are their security products of a much higher order, making domestic products more susceptible to compromise ?

Whatever security product you use, it's certainly better than none at all. I feel sure that one day, a drive-by, a familiar site, phishing, email; something out there, will invade your e-space.

Remember,

"You accessed it"

It's always going to be your fault !

Be safe out there ! Happy New Year 2012. AK

[MikeHolli]

Come on now!! First off so many new threats come out on a daily basis, that NO security product can

protect you 100%!! You have to use some common sense when your peruse the Internet, and not go to site that

offer 100% Free Live Nude Women! (hahahahahahahaha) YOU just KNOW they're gonna GET you! (Note: Just like they do in real life.) as well as a rule of thumb is to use NPE (Norton Power Eraser). at least weekiy.

[Edit: Please do not post inappropriate content per the Participation Guidelines and Term of Service]

[Krusty13]

Show me a security software program that can offer 100% protection,  and I will show you a scam!!!

[photo762]

Healthy debate, generated within the Community, is the very best of communicators. It's great to absorb other people's viewpoints and opinions.

But, the fact remains that cyberspace is a scary place.

"Be afraid, very afraid !"

Happy New Year. AK

[KMoore]

I was going to reference the same report that SendofJibe used.  Norton ranks consistantly at the top levels and as many have said, there is no product that can detect 100%.  Norton is quick on keeping up to date. 

 It would also be good to know what the detection was.  I tried a product on a recommendation and it detected known files as infection (false positives) 

  I have just spent several hours reviewing different reports and test results and you would have a difficult time finding a product as consistantly high rated as Norton.

 And I am sorry to hear you had that experience but don't be too hasty. Do some research. And find out exactly what those detections were.

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

bgw,

It's distressing when something like that happens and there's not a lot anyone here can do now to help you.

You can help yourself by being very careful where you go and what you click on (including especially any No Thanks buttons) since most maleare gets onto our computers at our own invitation, albeit unwittingly. It's hard for a security program to tell the computer owner "You don't really want to do that do you?" as we know from Microsoft's early days with VISTA and its UAC! Much malware is no different to reputable programs until after its installed and actually doing something.

I'm sorry you had to shell out serious money to get the computer working again and while I hope it does not happen again if it does please come here and tell us about it since there some people here with a lot of experience of dealing with malware.