Newb advice: Thinking about buying Nod32

I am a computer newbie who is interested in securing my computer (which has all my beloved photos, photo software, and digital video-editing stored on it.) Having done loads of research, Nod 32 seems like the top AV product.

I have been using Norton Systemworks 2005. I have never had a problem with it. But, I want it off my computer for two main reasons.

First and foremost, it is a nightmare, according to what I have read, to uninstall. I want to uninstall it once and never have to do it again. (I have the detailed, ste-by-step instructions to uninnstall NAV sitting here on my desk.) Second, people just give it bad reviews as a system resource "hog."

Nod 32 looks like the #1 AV product. Two questions:
1. Is it easy to uninstall?
2. Is it user-friendly for a newbie?

Any advice on this is much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

On a slow week, I repair about a dozen computers. I used to run AVG with my little spyware programs and it did a decent job aside from taking FOREVER to scan.

I switched recently to Nod32 and have started seeing computers come in from the past year's infections that have AVG running along with the tons and tons of Norton/McAfee users.

To the uninformed, you would think that you were protected and would put the blame elsewhere, but think again. Nod32 is my current choice for a reason. Last year I ran a little test on a HORRIBLE computer to see which would remove the most scans. A lot of the scanners got a good majority of the files, but Nod32 really impressed me, removing 28,481 virus infections, several thousands more than the others. I couldn't believe it! Ever since then, I've used Nod32 trial edition on customer's PCs before installing Norton 2006 on them (blah, that's another thread though )

*edit*Sorry, I forgot to answer your questions

1. Easy to uninstall? Yes!
Compared to Norton, which will often get critical errors while in the uninstallation process and require the user to use the "SymNRT" program to delete all of the registry entries, Nod32 has never crappy out on me. It's very simple and fast

2. User-friendly for a newbie? Yes!
All you have to do is setup a profile for removal actions. (or you can just leave it on default to prompt you everytime it's detected infections) If you need help, Blackspear's settings are very easy to setup. I've set mine up to scan every night at 4am. Did I mention it's fast? Waaay faster than you're accustomed to with NAV and the memory usage is less than my browser most of the time.

Give the trial edition a shot atleast, trust me.. Peace of mind > *

 

I have been using NOD32 since December. Other products I used are: Norton Internet Security and PC Cillin Internet security. I actually like all 3 of these programs. But NOD32 is my favorite.

Is NOD easy to uninstall? YES

Easy to install? Time consuming but easy to install if you use Blackspear's instructions. Don't expect to understand what you are doing. But Blackspear's instructions are step by step what to do with screenshots and all.

User Friendly? I would rate NOD down just a tad for this. If you are a computer newbie, NOD can be a little intimidating at first. But you eventually get the hang of it.

Now, if you go with NOD you will need to install a separate Firewall. If you are truly a computer newbie, don't even bother considering Outpost Pro (much too difficult for a newbie). I would probably go with Zone Alarm Free if you need simplicity.

 

If you do an "indepth analysis" you're going to have all of the advanced options turned on for you other than email scanning. (can turn on under the setup tab) then you just need to setup your automatic detection rules, which is just one tab over. Set everything to clean by default and delete if it can't

 

Okay, mind if I ask one more?

Tell me if this sounds right for the installation process:

1. I am going to download the trial version of Nod 32. I am not going to install it quite yet.

2. I am then going to disconnect my ethernet cable so no longer connected to the internet.

3. I am going to uninstall Norton per the instructions I have. I am then going to turn off my firewall (and, yes, Lollan, I have the free Zone Alarm version).

4.Then I will install Nod 32. After which I reconnect to internet and turn on firewall.

Does this sound right? Thanks for your help!!!!

 

Sounds good.

I would also add one thing: The "out of the box" settings for NOD are very good for most people, although Blackspear "cranks them up" quite a bit.

On the clients I service, I usually don't max everything out as much as Blackspear, but there's nothing wrong with that approach, certainly.

Just noting that you will still have excellent protection out of the box, so no need to sweat too much about that.

 

Hi

That's ok, no problem.
If you need some advanced help with Blackspear's settings, let's wait a little.
He's probably sleeping now.

Best Regards,

DonKid.

 

I would suggest a little more preparation.
BEFORE you install NOD32 get a copy of the winsock fix program. If your internet does not work after installation running that program should fix it.
You can read this thread Installing NOD32 with BS Extra settings - in no time later if you decide to go the Blackspear settings route.

 

Hardest part will be getting rid of Norton. Some links here if you need additional detailed instructions.
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fully_remove_norton_antivirus_from_my_system.html
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...56edd0061c0a4&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

After your program uninstall, (assuming your comfortable editing the registry), you may want to do a registry search for "Norton" and "Symantec" as well, and start deleting.

Agree with previous post, Blackspear's suggested setup is succinct, easy to follow.

 

Hi,

You may want to use SymNRT to remove Norton software, it's quite easy and works well, I couldn't remove Norton without it on a friend's machine since there were no add/remove program entries, I deleted files, services and edited registry, but network didn't work until I ran SymNRT (probably a driver I didn't delete)

It's pretty easy to find, you just have to google for "SymNRT" and you'll be directed on the download page at symantec's support site.

 

Yup, it sounds right. For a "newbie", it sure sounds like you know what you are doing.

Keep in mind that after you reboot when installing, NOD32 will connect to the internet automatically to check for updates. From then on, it will continue to check once an hour.

 

Originally Posted by MarieBoyer
4.Then I will install Nod 32. After which I reconnect to internet and turn on firewall.

Does this sound right? Thanks for your help!!!!


I`d turn on the firewall first, then conect to the internet.

 

I would NOT turn off the firewall, there is no need to do so, and if you are sitting behind a NAT firewall through a modem/router then disconnecting from the internet is not required either. We set up hundreds of PC's each year without doing so.

Hope this helps...

Cheers

 

Thanks so much to everyone. This forum is amazing. Thank you, thank you!

 

You're right!

 

I'd be wary of Symantec's symnrt removal tool. Unless it has been updated in recent months I found it 'broke' windows security centre and windows updates ceased working. Apparanetly this is a common problem and google search would find reports on this. I actually had to re-install Norton to get security centre and windows updates working again!! Then uninstall it again using add/remove programs.

 

My new Dell came with NIS2005 and each boot it would force a screen to set up the trial run of it. I tried uninstalling it before setting it up. It caused nothing but issues that way. Believe it or not, but everytime I reformat I have to do it three or 4 times to get all the free junk off of it without causing issues. The only way I could uninstall NIS2005 safely was to set up the trial, reboot and then add/remove programs. Never used the removal tool, but add/remove seems to have worked. Now I just need to wait for Microsoft to update something to see if all is still working.

A little advice for what its worth. I use SAV 10 at work. NOD32 puts it to shame! I wish I knew about it a few years ago before I went out and bought NAV junk.

 

q1aqza : I had no such problem, except for the windows security center wich showed no AV, but reinstalling nod32 afterwards solved the problem. Windows update seemed to work too, but I'll double-check just to be sure...

 

I've used the SymNRT tool probably well over a hundred times on different computers, all in various states of health. Have not had it blow up a machine once on me.

Now I've had some computers lose internet connectivity..not even able to pull an IP from the DHCP on a router, while working on them. This often happens after removing a prior antivirus program, on a computer that had malware of some sorts dig into the TCP stack/winsock. This most likely would have happened no matter what antivirus you were uninstalling, but many people see it happen after running the SymNRT utility..so they blame that. But part of my usual "repairing of an infected computer" routine is to run a winsock repair utility anyways, and this I usually run at the end.

 

Easy to install, and easy to uninstall. As far as installing, basically the only extra steps you'll see are entering a username and a password for your updates. This is how your subscription is enforced. If you do not renew it, your user/pass will be killed on their end, and you'll see your updates fail.

Blackspears settings can "automate" some things for you, default settings...if you come across a virus...you'll be presented with dialog boxes of what action you'd like to take. Even on default settings...the dialog boxes will hold you hand as to what to do...they're clear about things.

The interface...many people complain it's too complicated or something like that. ///shrug/// There is more to it...you can rull up your sleeves and really dig into the program. But if you don't want to..again, just let it purr in the background. It's just nice to be able to have more advanced features there if you want them, IMO.

 

Thaks to everyone again! Much appreciated!

Can someone tell me what a winsock repair utility is?

The symantec site offers two utilities to run after you run symnet.
I wonder if one was a "winsock repair utility"?
Here is the link:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...sf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

I followed all those directions and removed Norton 2005 from my husband's computer last night. I have not done it on my computer yet. (Mine is the one with the valuable photos and software. The one that we want most portected. The one I intend to install NOd 32 on.)

Where would I get a winsock repair utility to run on hubby's computer?

 

Sometimes, uninstalling antivirus solutions can corrupt your computer's network winsock settings and you'll be able to ping out, but never get to any websites, acting similar to an invalid or down DNS server.

Only run it if you can't get online or are having similar Internet issues.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Network-Tweak/WinSockFix.shtml

 

Basically is resets your communications chain if it gets corrupted.

Here is one for an XP system. Since it is just a reset type of operation, no harm is done if it is not needed. It is potentially needed if you cannot access the Internet from that PC, for example. It is a good general tool to have on hand in the event of that symptom.

Blue