Norton Internet Security

[maureen]

I have just got round to updating from Norton AntiVirus and Firewall 2002 to Norton Internet Security 2005. I know its already probably out of date but its been ok so far. Just a quick question though. I keep getting a square box above the time in the corner that pops up all the time, its just annoying. Does anybody no how to switch it off?. Its a warning note new rules for windows or something.
Thanks for any help.

[maureen]

The message reads-

Rules automatically created for the
program Microsoft Generic Host
for Win32 services.
OK

It pops up and down all the time.

[guns1inger]

It is simply informing you that is is creating rules for programs that it is aware of. Most firewalls start in a learning mode, allowing known good programs through, and asking for user intervention for programs that are unknown to them.

Your other choice is to turn off automatic program control, and it will ask you for confirmation every-time with a big dialogue in the centre of the screen.

How often is it popping up and down ? It should only happen a couple of times while things settle in. If it continues to happen you may have other problems, such as spyware, in your system.

[lacywest]

As ... GS said ... it should go away ... it is just creating rules for the programs u have running in the background. Eventually NIS will see everything and no longer pop up any more messages.

I'm still using NIS 2004

[neomaine]

If the posters so far are still using NIS in any flavor you haven't been reading too many posts on the subject. Personally, I dropped Norton's at 2005. I've been using other software with better results (finding more bad stuff), a faster system (way smaller memory footprint and cpu usage), and all for FREE. I've replaced them with:

- Avast Antivirus (automatic updates)
- Adaware (manual, automatic for pay)
- Spybot Search and Destroy (manual, automatic for pay)
- Hardware firewall (could use XP's if needed)

I'd suggest you search the forum's and see what other's have said as well using similar software. You and your system will have more time because of it.

Of course, these also the issue of being able to get rid of it in the first place.

[ranchhand]

Neomaine is right on all counts. Low system overhead is imperitive, especially in any kind of video work. Norton is the biggest resource hog there is, 2nd only to AOL. In addition, I would suggest ZoneAlarm as a firewall. I suppose if you used a router that would serve as a firewall and then you wouldn't need Zone Alarm, as I guess he was suggesting.

[guns1inger]

ZoneAlarm lost me several versions ago when it went the same way as Norton's - too many bits and pieces. Stability and load became a real issue. I recently used it again on a clean system (latest free version) as I hadn't used it in some time. The effects were immediate - long start up times, unreliable connections, issues with other software. These issues were resolved as soon as ZoneAlarm was removed. I replaced it with Comodo, another free firewall that reminds me of a prettier Sygate. Solid performance, low overhead and good reporting.

Personally, I do use Norton's (NIS2005) although I won't upgrade beyond. I don't find it a resource hog, with the exception of one circumstance - repeated user switching (even with fast user switching off) can cause the ccproxy to grow in memory usage. A restart of the service clears it up). I stick with it because it still scores very highly on AV tests, and it's content filter is great for the kids. Better than the stand alone filters.

FWIW, on the free front I would chose the free version of AVG over the free Avast!

[neomaine]

I tried AVG for awhile. In fact, it was what I originally used after getting rid of Norton's. Then I tried Avast a few months later based on some suggestions here and it found things on my system that AVG had overlooked. I've been with it since. Though, others have had the same experience in reverse. I'm guessing that they keep leapfrogging each other.

Either way, I'd still feel comfortable with either AVG and Avast in protecting my computer. Much more so than anything Norton, which is what we're guiding the others in.