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First of all, hi, I'm new here. ^_^
I noticed computer running a little slow a couple days ago so I looked at my task manager, and navw32.exe was one of the biggest resource hogs on the list. I know this is from Norton, but I also heard this was only supposed to come up when your computer is running a scan? This hasn't been listed in the past (nor is it now that I restarted my computer) when Norton wasn't running a scan (I honestly haven't checked to see if it was when it was scanning, just assuming it was).
So I read online that if it is up when it's not running a scan it could be some virus, malware, etc pretending to be Norton. So, I ran Norton, I ran Spybot, I ran AVG Antispyware, and nothing came up weird. I also checked under AVG, which listed the navw32.exe as under the Symantec folder, so it looked legit.
What do you guys think?
As a side note, I have no idea if this is related, but earlier in the week I had a downloader virus on my computer which I got rid of (ran in regular mode, then followed symantec recommendations and reran in safe mode) and everything from that seemed fine.
Sorry, know this is wordy, I just like to try to know as much about what's going on with my computer as possible.
Thanks!
Hi,
You are correct that on occasion the NAV executable name is sometimes used by viruses. The (legitimate) file properties change with each version but so far as I'm aware, the file is found here on XP and VISTA::
[install drive]:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus.
My NIS2008 uses the same AV engine that is in NAV2008 (I believe). If so, then NAVW32.EXE is 251,752 bytes in size with the current version being 15.5.0.23
You can scan your system via the Symantec site - it pops up a window to run a java applet -security scan / virus detection.
It's best to try and scan from safe mode. Some nasties stop you from getting into safe mode (normally you press F8 - during boot up for XP). There is an alternate method if you run into problems..
Open MSCONFIG to start the sytem configuration utility. On the boot.ini tab check the "/SAFEBOOT" option. Run your checks in relative safety ... and don't forget to uncheck this when finished. [This works only for a single boot OS - it gets a little more involved as you have multiple boot systems.]
There are plenty of people who seem to treat "their" software (AV / OS / word processor ... whatever) as seriously as others treat religion. All those who use "their" software are clever and the software is "the best!!!" (loads of exclamation marks)
All other products are dogs and their users are infidels. See the disturbing catfight between FF and IE. I like FF and I like IE. Some sites work better with one than the other. It's handy to have a choice. But no matter which browser I use, neither will help me win a date ... so, meh.
Users love bashing MS. It's an esay target and lets face it, they really do pull out some dumb things. Whenever a company is an innovator then they stand out in front while others throw rocks. Apple is OK - no issue with their OS or equipment. I've never managed to get a date with a Mac either so ... meh.
These are all tools.
The internet is NOT exactly renowned for containing scholarly accurate information (it is there if you look). All you need do is google norton or NAV or svchost.exe and you will get millions of hits. There is a statistical error here - lots of people posting incorrect / flawed / inaccurate / unsubstantiated "opinions" as "information" does not mean the information is any less wrong (or correct). It is a popularity contest - those who are quite happy generally have nothing to say.
Sure, Symantec has had problems with resource utilisation in early versions of NAV and NIS. These issues are nowhere near as bad as was the case - and easily better than many leading market competitors. All I can do is speak from personal experience and testing of many current alternatives - and I choose NIS2008.
I can tell you it outperforms Kapersky, ZAPRO, Trend, AVAST and a few others because i purchased licences and tested them.
Microsoft love to dump on Symantec - as soon as you mention you have NAV installed their tech support folk feint. Yep. Really transparent ... and of course they are not competing with their one care.
Trust your own experience and do your own research. I can bring my system to a slow crawl if I am silly and I can make it fly if I want to accept higher risks.
Hope all this is of some help ... yeah, got on the soapbox alright.