Advice Needed !! McAfee or Norton is better for Virus Protection?
By Tallygirl09
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
United States
February 1, 2010 8:08am CST
Hi ya, Hoping some mylotters can give me some advice. I got a new laptop and it came with Norton on a Trial basis. That's now due to expire in a few days and I don't want to be without protection.
Which is better for Virus protection - Norton or McAfee?? Norton is almost double the price but they don't seem to update the software as often as McAfee does. So any input would be very much appreciated!! I need to make a decision in the next day or two so Please advise!! Thanks in advance !!
4 people like this
11 responses
@shanrox (382)
• United Arab Emirates
1 Feb 10
I am sorry , I don't recommend either of these.I am talking of my experience with both of these.At first i used norton and was really frustrated with its daily updates and not protecting my computer fully 100%.Then one of my friend advised me to use Mcafee, which at first i thought would be a better choice but was rather worse than norton. After my usage of these 2 anti-virus, I was able to understand that both slowed my computer rapidly during scanning.You can ask anyone using any of these presently.After formatting my Pc, the salesman installed ESETNOD32 antivirus, of which I haven't heard before.After using that I was fully satisfied. It detected almost every virus and its scanning was superb. Later only I came to know that ESETNOD32 is currently the best Antivirus available in net.
I have a Full Version of that antivirus in my blog. If you would like to download that, here is the link - http://adf.ly/1Csx .I highly recommend you this antivirus and don't waste your time on any other.I hope this resolves your problem.
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
2 Feb 10
i think between these 2 i will choose macafee in reality than norton products!!Normally macafee is a good program but i think you can fnd some others even in the free edition which they are good for security as avg,bitdefender..or even others as nod32 or kaspersky normally these last 2 ones have a pay-license!!
@smacksman (6053)
•
3 Feb 10
Yes, I was in error grouping Nod32 with the free programs. It only has a free trial period before you have to pay - like most of the others.
@smacksman (6053)
•
2 Feb 10
The trouble with anti-virus programs is that you often don't know when a virus slips through. Sirens go off and bells ring when it finds one and you think that it is great at its job!
When lab tests are done they infect a computer with a known number of viruses and then run the av software to find them. It is disturbing how many are not found. It is also disturbing that all the av programs that you pay for like Norton and McAfee failed quite badly and missed more than most.
The free programs like AVG, Avast and Nod 32 scored well so there is your answer.
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Thanks so much for your input! I agree completely that there really is no "ideal" anti virus software out there. Mostly because the viruses keep evolving day to day.
I do run several virus checks routinely and have as you said caught some that my Norton didn't but were apparently fairly benign.
I will definitly check out your suggestions and see what the best match for my needs is! Take care!!
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
2 Feb 10
I use Norton 360 myself and I've had no problems with it, it's a great product! Some people have mentioned that they don't like Norton products and I cannot understand why! Norton 360 does absolutely everything I want it to do and I scan my system once a week on a Friday. I used to use a free version of AVG which is pretty good in terms of free products but I now prefer to pay a subscription for my antivirus product. In terms of Norton updating their virus software, mine does this every two to three minutes, it's pretty good. I would definitely recommend Norton 360. Good luck. Andrew
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Andrew, thanks so much for your comments and input. There are so many reasons to prefer one over the other that I thought why not come to my fellow mylotters since if one mylots, one tends to be on the net alot and must think about viruses.
I am running Windows 7 and Norton doesn't seem to work as well as it should on a regular basis. So since the trial is almost up, I am thinking about other options. I'll put your vote solidly on Norton 360!! Take Care!
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Hi Ya, thanks for your input. There are so many changes in pc security that I want to make the best decision not only based on price but quality. Have a great weekend! Take care!
@machivado (528)
• Indonesia
2 Feb 10
I still choose Norton Antivirus for PC protection. McAfee uses too much memory, the scanning process is slower than Norton.
Actually, both of them are good for detecting malicious spyware and virus.
So why choose McAfee than Norton? I don't see much point buying McAfee.
You can check at The Best Antivirus 2010, and I'm pretty sure Norton is in higher rank than McAfee.
PS: Try Kaspersky, the ultimate protection for your PC. Best rated almost everywhere.
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Norton really slows my system down badly and it costs well over double what McAfee does so I thought I'd check and see what my fellow mylotters thought. I always try to make the best decision and weigh out the value vs the cost. Thanks for your comments, they were very helpful! Take Care!
@lovedude (4447)
• India
2 Feb 10
I had used Norton, Mcafee, AVG, Avast, Quick Heal, Windows Care and few other antivirus. but I found Norton is the best among all. you won't find big differences in normal cases but when critical virus attack at that time Norton always protect you from viruses. I suggest you to buy Norton Antivirus.
if you ask to rate me as per security wise :
Symantec (Corporate User) Norton(Home User) Quick Heal Mcafee/Nod32 Windows Care ZoneAlarm Kaspersky Avast AVG
You can find lots of comparisons of antivirus on net.
http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
2 Feb 10
I have tried both of those anti virus. I really do not like them considering that they are quite heavy on the space and it slows down your computer. I am more comfortable with Avira or with Nod 32. I have avira on my laptop and on my wife's laptop is Nod 32. They are both great and are free. I also do not recommend AVG, since I have a bad experience with it.
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Thanks so much for sharing. I too have heard that AVG isn't as current with their blocking abilities. Nod 32 is a new one so I'll check them out as well. Take care and have a great weekend!
@Natara (169)
• Canada
2 Feb 10
I am using norton and whenever a serious virus gets into the computer it catches it. It also keeps a good log of where the viruses are coming from so if it's something you have installed, you'll know easily to delete it.
I have never used McAfee but my friend got a virus that crashed her computer and I believe she was using McAfee. However I don't know HOW they got this virus so whether or not it was McAfee's fault I don't know.
Some of my friends speak poorly about both, and recommend Avast! Antivirus which is free.
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
6 Feb 10
It's amazing that even with protection in place, the clever virus developers find little loop holes and take it from there. Sad really that someone who is obviously intelligent would use that ability against complete strangers. Must be something wrong with them somehow. I don't know AVAST but I'll check them out as well.
Thanks so much for your input! Take care!
@shawnchang (120)
• China
5 Feb 10
HI tallygirl:
every software has its characteristic.in my opinion,Norton is easy to use,the most critical comflict with the network firewall.McAfee accounted for less memory.but Norton cost amazing.If your computer own high configuration, i suggest you use norton.
@abitcurious (1422)
• Philippines
2 Feb 10
I'm really sorry if I'm going to be off topic. But I don't use both them. They eat so much RAM that my computer slows down when I use them. And I have 2 GB memory. I think ESET nod is the best because it does not hog the memory. I also like Avira, just the free version is enough to put those malwares at bay. At least avira has manual update function so if I can't get my Internet running I could ask someone else to download it for me. ESET does not offer that.
Many of my friends who used both of them ((Norton and McAfee)found both programs a little too tricky and kept on changing their computer configurations.
So to ensure that I'm always protected I use avira and I make sure that I have a good firewall working.
Hope this helps.
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Thanks so much for your comments! You aren't off topic at all!! You gave me some info on other options and I am very appreciative. There are literally dozens of different options but I am trying to make the best decision. I am not a huge Norton fan for many reasons so wanted to see what others thought. Take care!