Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

[looney]

Win7...IE9.....Been using NIS 2011 since 12/10.  Sometimes visit adult sites .  I visited one and got the "malicious website blocked" page.  For whatever reason, I elected to visit site (like a fool I reckon').   Does that mean I got infected?  Did scan later, but came up clean.  I also use MalwareBytes Free, SuperAntiSpyware Free and Ad-Aware Free as secondary scanners, all scans again clean.  Would that also mean I'm ok?

Reason for post is because I no longer get "malicious website blocked" pages, though  "System Status" shows  "secure".

Just one more off question if I may?   Is it necessary to use one of the many different online AV scanners as a 2nd opinion?

Maybe I shouldn't read so many different security site info web pages.  Tends to make me too paranoid.

Thanks

Fred

[RichD · Accepted solution]

Hi looney,

Welcome to the forum.  I'm sure that there is someone here who will be able to help you.

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looney wrote:

.....  I also use MalwareBytes Free, SuperAntiSpyware Free

 .....

...   Just one more off question if I may?   Is it necessary to use one of the many different online AV scanners as a 2nd opinion?

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Meanwhile just a couple of comments -- MalwareBytes Free and SuperAntiSpyware Free should not cause any problems, because they apparently do not have a real-time component that would interfere with Norton.  However, I'm not so sure about the various "online AV scanners" that you mention.  My experience with them is that some of them leave a 'footprint' on the hard drive after they complete the online scan, and whatever they leave there can sometimes interfere with Norton.

In my recent attempt to clean my system in preparation for NIS 2011 re-install, I found various files from half a dozen different AV vendors, and I was forced to go into the system to delete all of these remnants before I could get NIS 2011 to reinstall properly.  These files had been placed there when I had earlier tried some on-line scans or free trial downloads from these other vendors.  The problem is that these vendors do not always remove or uninstall their products completely when the trials or quick scans are complete.

RichD

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[dickevans Super RootKit Eradicator]

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looney wrote:

Win7...IE9.....Been using NIS 2011 since 12/10.  Sometimes visit adult sites .  I visited one and got the "malicious website blocked" page.  For whatever reason, I elected to visit site (like a fool I reckon').   Does that mean I got infected?  Did scan later, but came up clean.  I also use MalwareBytes Free, SuperAntiSpyware Free and Ad-Aware Free as secondary scanners, all scans again clean.  Would that also mean I'm ok?

Reason for post is because I no longer get "malicious website blocked" pages, though  "System Status" shows  "secure".

Just one more off question if I may?   Is it necessary to use one of the many different online AV scanners as a 2nd opinion?

Maybe I shouldn't read so many different security site info web pages.  Tends to make me too paranoid.

Thanks

Fred

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Welcome Fred,

Your visit may not have infected your computer this time but it did designate the site as 'allowed'. This could cause problems in the future. I'm very happy to hear that the scans gave you a clean bill.

I'm not a big fan of online scanners but I do keep Malwarebytes free version installed and current so that I can get an immediate second opinion. I also have Norton DNS installed. It seems to react faster than NIS so I don't even get a chance to visit places I shouldn't be - at least for the health of my computer. If I need malware of other 'nasties' for testing I can get them from places that I can trust

Nothing wrong with reading all of the information available. Just don't take the sales pitch for more than it actually is - an attempt to get you to part with your money. Every company does it and some are more polite about it than others.

Hope this helps

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

Hi looney,

Norton page blocks are based on a site's reputation.  A page block tells you that the site you are visiting has been known to host malware in the past.  You may or may not be attacked if you click through.  Visiting such sites is risky but doesn't automatically mean you will be attacked, or if you are attacked, that you will become infected.  If you are going to visit these sites you would be wise to disable JavaScript, run with limited privileges and make sure that all of your applications and your operating system are fully patched with security updates.

It is smart to occasionally run a second on-demand scanner.  No security product catches 100% of the threats that you might encounter, so second opinions can sometimes be useful.  Don't overload your computer with security apps though.  You would be much better off using sensible precautions in your browsing habits, rather than relying on a vast array of software to protect you.

[Bombastus]

You can test the malicious web page blocking by trying to visit the following test site:

http://www.spycar.org/

It is completly harmless, made for testing purposes just as this. Norton should block it.

[Bombastus]

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Your visit may not have infected your computer this time but it did designate the site as 'allowed'. This could cause problems in the future.

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This is reset upon a reboot, though.

[looney]

Hello All,

Thank you for the replies.  

 In response to "Rich D"...I've only used Trend Micro just once quite aways back, was curious and looked in registry and did notice entries, but left them alone.

Fred

[looney]

Hello Mr Dick Evans,

Thanks for reply....I'm only going to use the 3 extra "free" on demand scanners I listed, only because of what I read elsewhere.   The Norton DNS I was totally unaware of,  I think I'll try it out, reckon' it can't hurt, being You use it.

As for software program companies trying to get my money, nah.  I just use the free versions.  I'll just let Norton milk me...just kidding.

Fred

[RichD]

Hi looney,

To remove the Trend Micro installation, you could try their removal tool.  Here's the link to the instructions (thanks to huwyngr)

http://esupport.trendmicro.com/Pages/How-do-I-remove-old-or-new-versions-of-Trend-Micro-products-in-...

RichD

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[looney]

Hello SendOfJive,

I pretty much browse web with Internet Security Zone set to HIgh.  Only use default setting when necessary...forum and email login, or a couple video sites.  I notice Norton updates automatically, as does Windows, the others I do manually.  I normally do update checks every 3-5 days.

Being I only have 3 other "on demand scanners", which I've read come recommended, I'll just stick with those

Thanks

Fred