Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2007 > November > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGrisoft vs. Norton
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few readers have left comments wondering if I have stopped recommending Grisoft’s free anti-virus program in favor of Norton Anti-Virus.
First, the short answer, then the explanation.
No.
In fact, I use Grisoft’s free AVG at home - I do that even though I get free demo copies of Grisoft’s commercial (for pay) anti-virus as well as Norton.
In every case I can remember I have recommended Grisoft’s free AVG. There have been a few times when I’ve expressed my admiration for Grisoft’s product and then added - for readers who prefer a commercial program for whatever reason - that Norton makes a fine anti-virus product. That’s true it does. I have had - as have some of my readers - complaints about Norton’s customer service and tech support. But the program itself is rock solid.
One reason for the reader confusion is that I recommended Norton Security’s commercial firewall - not the anti-virus - in a recent column. I do think it’s worth considering and also think it’s superior to the free firewalls that come with Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Now back to anti-virus programs for a moment.
For those readers who need anti-virus protection for more than one home computer: Keep in mind that the license for the free Grisoft anti-virus is for one computer and the user agreement specifically says it is not meant for several networked computers. In that case you are asked to buy the commercial version of Grisoft.
Both Grisoft and Norton offer versions designed to be licensed to more than one computer. The price for a 5-user pack is close to the same from both companies.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Viruses, spam, adware, etc.
Comments
By PatrckB
November 8, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
I have an issue with Norton.
I bought Norton System Works for “free” after rebate. It included a number of utilities I wanted to use and it also included Norton Anti-Virus. I am also a big fan of AVG-free and didn’t want to give it up.
But to install System Works, it said I first had to install Norton Anti-Virus.
on soapbox So call me a control freak but I want to decide what runs on my system. I don’t want a vendor dictating that I have to install product A to install product B when B is not dependent upon A. Especially since I have a perfectly good product B (AVG) that I’m happy with.off soapbox
It did allow me to install Ghost without installing NAV. I really like Ghost.
By PatrckB
November 8, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this
OOPs. Minor correction to previous rant… I meant to say that I have a perfectly good alternate product to product A.
By Bill
November 8, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Makes perfect sense Patrick. Customer service and tech support seems at an all-time low — obviously there are pleasant exceptions.
But I can remember when I factored in customer service - based on how good it was - in making product recommendations.
I still factor it in, but nowadays it is mostly based on which company has the least horrible customer support.