I bought a new computer a couple of weeks ago and I haven't had any problems with malware. The computer came installed with Norton Internet Security. I haven't had much experience with Norton and was wondering if it would be okay to use other spyware protection such as Webroot Spysweeper.

Yes, in fact, everything exept other anti-virus applications will work fine. Certain spyware programs may cause a few minor problems. Such as SpyBot Search and Destroy, and Adware: They will pick up each others quarentined items. Other then that, you should be fine.

If anything, we highly recommend using multiple anti spyware/malware apps.

As for the non-compatible anti-virus apps, they are only incompatable do to the fact that most, like Norton, use live protection, and will cause errors when they run at the same time.

Hi PCIlliterateGal, I would recommend you read thru these topics:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3096.html

The pinned topics here
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum25.html


Especially these

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic1628.html

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic841.html

Well he is my two ¢.
I would recommend uninstalling Norton also. It is known to be a resource hog. There are several excellent freeware antivirus programs. You should also be running a firewall along with all of the antispyware your system will support (Within reason). Pre-install some of the online scans. It is going to be rough enough if you get a virus without the impossible task of installing software once infected.


Antivirus (Run only one.)
AVG Free Edition Antivirus (I personally use)
Avast Home Edition Antivirus Freeware
AntiVir Personal Edition Classic Freeware
BitDefender 8 Free Edition

Antispyware
Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta (2000,and XP only)
Spybot Tutorial
AdAware SE Personal Edition Tutorial
SpyBlaster Tutorial
SpywareGuard Tutorial

Trojan Removal Tool
Ewido Anti-Malware After a 14 day trial it will not scan automaticily(2000, and XP only)(Features)
A Squared Free

Online scans
Trendmicro's Housecall Internet Explorer Only
Trendmicro"s Housecall FoxFire Only
Panda's ActiveScan Internet Explorer Only
F-secure's Virus Scan Internet Explorer Only
SyGate's Trojan scan
eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner Internet Explorer Only

Removal Tools
Kaspersky Removal Tools
AVG Manual Virus Removal tool
MacAfee Stinger Virus Removal Tool
Symantec's Viurs Removal Tools
BitDefender Removal Tools Free

Firewalls (Run only one.)
Zone Alarm Free for Personal Use
SyGate Presonal Firewall 5.6 (I personally use)
OutPost Firewall Free
Jetico Personal Free
Kerio Free Personal Firewall

I have to agree with acklan about removing NIS/NAV. If it came preinstalled, it is a trial version that will expire in 3 to 6 months (it varies with some vendors). After that you will have to pay a subscription fee to obtain the updates or remove it and get another anti-virus program.

In addition to being a resource hog, NIS will significantly slow your browsing speed if you use a dial-up.

One thing to keep it mind, is that Norton can be hard to remove if its not done properly. If you plan on removing it make sure you read and follow these instructions.
How to Remove Norton Products
Removing NAV 2004 or later using SymNRT

These instructions will advise you to remove related Symantec files and folders after the uninstall as well as deleting numerous registry entries. Make sure you back up your registry before doing so.
BACKUP, EDIT & RESTORE REGISTRY
BACKUP, EDIT & RESTORE REGISTRY by Microsoft

acklan, it appears Microsoft has either removed or redirected all the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta links to Windows Defender Beta 2. The Defender FAQs tell how to uninstall it but there is no provision for downloading and reinstalling MSAS beta unless the user saved the setup program on their hard drive or a CD.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks everybody!

What did you decide??

I'm not sure if this is a trial version of Norton. If it is, I think i'll keep it until the trial expires...though I'm not sure the pre-installed firewall is doing any good. It might be, but who knows. I'll probably install Spybot and Ad-aware.

When you say pre-installed firewall, are you referring to the windows firewall? If so then your presumption would be correct. You would be better off getting another one such as Zone - Alarm, and dissabling windows' firewall.

PCIlliterateGal is using Norton Internet Security so she is probably referring to its bundled personal firewall, which in addition to being a resource hog, is not friendly with a dial-up connection.

It is very important to know if you have an active antivirus on your computer. If it has expired you are unprotected. It is not as important that you use Norton or another antivirus, but that the program's definions are up to date. Expired antivirus will give you a false sence of security.
The firewall will stop malware from communicating your data to a remote server. Believe it or not it is a very big deal to have an effective firewall that blocks both inbound and outbound traffic that you have not authorized.
I know I sounds like a broken record but the security should be layered, and the thicker the layer is the more insulated you will be

You><Anitvirus><Antispyware-As much as your resoruces can stand><Good House Keeping><Firewall><Internet

I know it may not seem so but it is a big deal. It's only overkill if you never need it.

Does the NIS firewall do that? I had ZoneAlarm on my old computer and it blocked a lot of stuff. I really can't tell with the Norton firewall. I don't see a log of blocked traffic or anything.

Right now I'm not really worried about it being a resource hog...and I don't have dial-up. Hasn't caused any problems yet.

I'm pretty sure my anti-virus hasn't expired...it says it has 60 days of complimentary live updates. That means it's a 60-day trial, right?