Ok guys. I am about sick of Norton and their subscription process. I had purchased Norton Systemworks 2005 as soon as it came out. Now since then I have formatted and reinstalled everything on my computer. During that process, I had to reinstall Systemworks. It gave me a new date for which my 1yr subscription would run out (exactly 1 year from when I activated it at that point in time). Now, some six months later, I am having trouble getting live updates... Symantec has been no help what so ever... I am just getting sick of the whole run around and want a freeware alternative. I really don't use many of the bells and whistles of Systemworks anyway. I just need something that will scan e-mails, update itself and run scheduled scans.

Alternatives that I have found and that have gotten great reviews all around are:
AVG v7.x and Avast! v4.5

Please let me know what you guys think. Also, let me know what antivirus prog you are using and how you like it.

***EDIT*** I meant to say Systemworks 2005, not 2004. Editted above.

I use Norton'* 2005 AV.


Check your PMs, too...

I use both of those programs with great success. Another one to try is Zone Labs Security for a firewall.

I also just noticed that since I have RoadRunner, that I can download, install, and use EZ Armor by Computer Assoicates free for 1 year (free 1 year subscription). What are your views on EZ Armor?

I didn't like Zone Alarm Pro a few years ago, it would have MAJOR issues if you uninstalled it, or used something else. There were some nice features, but some problems kept me away from it. There was a really nice firewall i had for a while that was great and free... Can't think of the name for the life of me.

I use AVG. I think it works. It has never detected a virus on my computer, but I don't think I have ever had one for it to detect. I'm a pretty careful guy.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com

I was more thinking of a freeware realtime antivirus program... Not one that I will just use once in a while.. However, that one is one that I regularly use (2-3 times a month) to make sure that NAV was working properly...

Ah, gotcha.