I have a new computer with windows XP Pro that came with Norton Internet Security pre-installed. I have also installed Spybot search and destroy, I run that every few days without problem. I also wanted to use Bitdefender online scanner from time to time, just in case it catches anything that Norton does not.
I have used Bitdefender online scan before on another pc without problem but cannot get it to work with the new one (fails to update virus signatures). I am wondering whether it conflicts with Norton Internet Security 2008 or perhaps it is IE which recently updated itself to IE7.
I wanted to have Spybot search & destroy and Lavasoft Ad-Aware to supplement Norton Internet Security 2008 as I'm under the impression that it is good to have one resident antivirus application plus two anti-spyware on the pc and then occasional online scan with Bitdefender. I have not yet installed/tried Ad-Aware with Norton Internet Security 2008 as I think I need to have some advice before I do anything else.
You may be having a problem with BitDefender as it requires software to be installed on your computer for the on line scan. NIS 2008 may be blocking that program's access to get virus definitions. Personally I prefer not have that type of software installed for an online scan when there are other programs which will provide a similar function without having to be online.
To address you question about supplemental scanning products, it is generally advisable not to have two real-time security products running at the same time as that can cause conflicts.
Spybot is fine as an "on-demand" scanner as long as you don't have Resident / TeaTimer running.
As far as Ad-Aware, I have lost interest in the free version over the past few years as it seemed to detect every cookie on the system and report it (even though as a low level risk). Additionally it has become more bloated. I no longer have it installed. I would not use the paid version which would run in real-time.
I will occasionally double check my system with the FREE version of Malwarebytes here. The free version does not run in the background and does not interfere with Norton. It has been useful when I have had to clean computers (not running Norton) which had become heavily infected. It does a good job of checking things without overreacting.
Last but not least, I assume you have a Trial Version of NIS 2008 and since you have a new computer you may want to try that out for a bit. At some point when your trial version it about to expire, you should consider NIS 2009. It is much lighter on system resources and has some very intuitive scanning and updating techniques. You can read more about it here.
NIS/ NAV 2009 is a lot faster on Startup etc. than BiDefender if you have BitDefender on any other PC. As for their Online scanner and that applies for their Products like BitDefender 2008, 2009, Their Update Servers are having Problems from the 30th of October, people not being able to download updates (program or definitions) and it's affecting the Online Scanner also.
One neigbour hasn't been able to get updates for 2 weeks at least.
Thank you for the advice Phil_D, I had already disabled the Resident/Tea Timer in Spybot.
I have full 2 year subscription for NIS 2008, so not ready to change yet.
I was looking supplement with an occasional online scan to avoid installing anything on the pc.
When googling for info, I read something about temporarily disabling resident anti virus applications to allow online scans but felt uncomfortable with that and was not sure how to do it anyway.
Perhaps I'm being a bit paranoid. I have never in fact ever had any type of infection, but in the past I have not relied on just the one product.
Personally, I would never disable my resident antivirus just to perform an online scan. As Quads mentioned, the issue appears to be with the BitDefender servers since October 30 (guess that speaks volumes!).
You mentioned that you did not want to install anything on your PC for an occasional scan, but when you use the BitDefender online scan, you are required to install software.
You're not paranoid; a lot of folks like to double check their systems.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post back.
Thank you for the info about Bitdefender problems. I will try again in a few weeks and see if the problem has been resolved.
I didn't know a free upgrade was possible and am not sure how that is achieved.
I registered NIS 2008 when I got the pc two weeks ago. Signing into my Norton account shows the subscription is valid until Nov 2010.
It show a valid product key, this is not the same product key as that on the cd supplied with computer (in case re-installation necessary). The account details also says it protects up to 3 pcs which was a surprise - does that mean it can be installed on my spare laptop as well?
Is there info somewhere I can read about the free upgrade? The help guide only mentions renewing subscriptions and paying for upgrades.
I have run NIS2008 with Ad-aware free 2008,I found adawares scans kept taking longer and longer,I upgraded to NIS2009 and Ad-aware was always showing in the NIS protection log as a high risk(NIS2009 was thinking Ad aware was attacking it)There were multiple entry's every time I did an scan with Ad-aware,Unlike Phil I did not mind the cookies being found etc,but the long scans were starting to frustrate me,so after reading about Malware bytes from these threads I changed and have been a happy camper ever since as NIS only picks up 1 entry of Malware bytes"attacking" it.Malware bytes is so easy and light to install and use.
Thank you for the info about Bitdefender problems. I will try again in a few weeks and see if the problem has been resolved.
I didn't know a free upgrade was possible and am not sure how that is achieved.
I registered NIS 2008 when I got the pc two weeks ago. Signing into my Norton account shows the subscription is valid until Nov 2010.
It show a valid product key, this is not the same product key as that on the cd supplied with computer (in case re-installation necessary). The account details also says it protects up to 3 pcs which was a surprise - does that mean it can be installed on my spare laptop as well?
Is there info somewhere I can read about the free upgrade? The help guide only mentions renewing subscriptions and paying for upgrades.
If you get the download, you can use it on both computers. You can either uninstall 2008 using ADD/REMOVE or you can let 2009 take over the process. If you let 2009 do it, it will save ALL previous settings; but expect a long beginning (averaging 10 - 15 minutes) and a long time to complete the process after a reboot. You just need to be patient - eat dinner - call a friend, something to pass the time (I read books).
.............I registered NIS 2008 when I got the pc two weeks ago. Signing into my Norton account shows the subscription is valid until Nov 2010.
It show a valid product key, this is not the same product key as that on the cd supplied with computer (in case re-installation necessary). The account details also says it protects up to 3 pcs which was a surprise - does that mean it can be installed on my spare laptop as well?
Perhaps you could clarify about your account and the differing product key; I may be missing something. Did you have a previous Norton Subscription? Is it a different subscription than what came with your computer?
To answer your other questions, with a valid 3 user subscription you can install NIS on three different computers. Also you are eligible for the Free update to NIS 2009. But before performing the update it would be beneficial to learn more about your subscription and the different keys.
This is a better source for a copy of NIS 2009 since we have been told that it definitely is the current 16.1.0.33 version and not the first version issued.
Yes it is the subscription that came with computer, No I did not have a previous subscription.
I activiated the product 14 Nov 2008 and registered for an account. When I click "Norton Account" in the application next to Help it takes me online to login with a password - this lists my products NIS 2008 expiry 14 Nov 2010 and clicking view button next to it shows other details such as product serial number and product key. The product key displayed is not the same as the one on the back on the sealed envelope containing the re-installation cd. NIS 2008 was pre-installed prior to my purchase.
My apologies if it seems I am dragging this out but sometimes OEM pre-installed subscriptions can be different than the "retail" ones, and I don't want to point you in the wrong direction.
When you purchased the computer, was it sold as having a 2 year subscription to NIS?
Is the reinstallation CD just for NIS 2008 or does it have multiple programs on it?
Once before I got a product from Symantec where the code on the back was pure numerical and when I entered it into the form and activated the product ended up with a different Activation Code (alphanumerical this time) than the original. Unfortunately, I don't recall any more about that; at the time I just assumed that one triggered the other.
Thank you for your patience, it is very kind of you to take so much trouble to help me.
When I click “About” in my NIS 2008 application it says the following:
Norton Internet Security 2008, Version 15.0.0.60, Dell (731)
The re-installation cd says:
Norton Internet Internet Security 2008, Dell, OEM version – not for resale. Includes 24 month subscription.
Yes, the computer was sold to me by DELL with the NIS 2008 24 month subscription featured. The purchase invoice says:
Antivirus: English Norton Internet Security 2008 (24 month subscription) with Recovery CD
There is only NIS 2008 on the Recovery CD, not multiple programs.
I am also currently in the middle of 30 day trial for Norton Save & Restore. I thought I might buy this as I was looking for a good but simple backup product. I thought it might avoid conflicts if I kept in the Norton family.
Would any of above preclude me from the free upgrade option?
Based upon the 2 year subscription you described and the fact that you have a product key in your Norton Account, it appears you should have no problem updating to NIS 2009.
However, that "OEM" designation can sometimes throw a curve ball into the works. I am probably being overly cautious here, but allow me to get a definitive answer from a Symantec Employee before you proceed. I would hate to see you try to update only to find that your key does not qualify. I wouldn't want to see you have to reinstall NIS 2008 if the update to NIS 2009 does not activate.
I'll get back to you when I get an answer or maybe a Symantec Employee will jump in with the proper info.
I should point out that you are still fully protected as NIS 2008 is an excellent product also.
Living in England should not make any difference to how the activation works (although living in Florida now as I do makes a big difference to prices <g>) but your copy is an OEM one personalized to Dell so I should not take anything we say for granted! I see that Phil D has asked for help from Symantec on this.
I've not read back so I don't know where the 1 or 3 PC question came in but when I look in my Norton Account and click on View against the entry there it gives me additional information -- and the Norton Internet Security line reads:
Norton Internet Security (3-User) Nov 5, 2009 View 3 PCs