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Symantec Campaigns Against Free Antivirus
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Free is... bad?
As we reported earlier today, Microsoft today released its final version of anti-malware software Security Essentials. It's free for Windows users and it'll take care of most of your viruses and spyware headaches.
At the price of nothing, it's an offer that’s hard to refuse. Of course, there are other free alternatives, such as Avast and AVG.
Symantec isn't such a fan of free alternatives, naturally, and has created a video that hopes to convey the virtues of the paid Norton – in as few spoken words as possible. Is it convincing? We'll let you be the judge of that.
Via DownloadSquad.
Source : Tom's Hardware US
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Games Many readers asked us to switch from 1024x768 to the more popular 1280x1024 resolution which dominates most 17" and 19" TFT displays. Independent from this change, we added some new game titles to our benchmarking suite: F.E.A.R Fear is a state-of-the-art 3D shooter that we run at high quality settings. Using less-demanding settings would allow more differences between processors and graphics cards to be discovered; however, fewer and fewer people are willing to abandon image quality given the nice graphics rendering performance of today's graphics solutions. We took a look at the minimum frame rates only. Quake 4 Quake 4 is one of few gaming titles that supports more than one processor core. All you need is the corresponding patch (1.0.5.0 Beta) that can be downloaded from the Quake 4 Website. Simply add "r_usesmp 1" to the quake4.exe command and you're all set. However, we could not find any performance benefit with our timedemo. Application Software AVG Virus Scan 7.1 We used this anti-virus program to search the install directory of SYSmark 2004 SE in our multitasking benchmark (4+ GB). However, we had AVG Virus Scan do a "preparatory" scan prior to running our benchmarks, since a second run would take advantage of Windows' caching features, making the hard drive access negligible. Finereader 8 We had Finereader 8 convert the PDF book "War and Peace" into MS Word doc format. The latest version 8 supports multi core Pentium D processors only, but does not support Core Duo or the Athlon 64 X2. Photoshop CS 2 The Virtual Time based test script simulates real-time user input for Photoshop CS2. A total of seven images (66 MB) are opened and seven different filters are applied. Three of these are thread-optimized and thus take advantage of the Pentium Extreme Edition's two cores. Premiere Pro 1.5 Premiere Pro 1.5 works with the version 1.5 HDTV plug-in from Mainconcept to convert a 10-second HDTV MPEG2 (1920x1080) into Microsoft's WMV 9 format (1080i, 24p). Both Premiere Pro and the encoder plug-in support up to four logical processors.
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Along with the typical THG notebook tests we normally run, such as MobileMark 2005 and SYSmark 2004 SE, we added a few additional applications that feature code optimized specifically for dual core CPUs. We also used some relatively simple techniques to create three distinct multi-tasking scenarios that involve running various applications. The first and third scenarios (Multitasking I/III) both run two applications in parallel, while the second (Multitasking II) runs four applications in parallel. Courtesy of a home-grown tool, we can measure how long it takes for a test system to complete all tasks. The results from this homebrew test serve as a convincing demonstration of dual core system advantages. In the following pages, we'll describe briefly which applications we used in our testing, and how we combined various applications in our three multitasking scenarios. Pegasys TMPGenc 3.0 Xpress, Div X6.1 TMPGenc 3.0 can transcode various DVD video object files into MPEG-4 format. We also used a multicore-optimized version of DivX 6.1 to help complete this task. Adobe Photoshop CS 2 By basing itself on Virtual Run Time, our script simulates real-time user activities in Photoshop CS 2. A total of seven images (66 MB) are opened, and seven different filters applied. Three of the filters are thread optimized, and the application itself is also optimized for dual core processors. Grisoft AVG Virus Scan 7.1 We used this antivirus program to scan the installation directory for SYSmark 2004 SE for viruses. To obtain stable and reproducible results, it's essential to perform a preliminary scan before taking any measurements. That's because Windows caching features come into play only in the second run-through - they're read from disk into cache during the first run, and remain available from cache during the second run - which of course affects related test measurements. This trick prevents hard disk access times from imposing a measurable effect on the results measured. AVG Virus Scan isn't optimized for dual core processors, but when used simultaneously with another program such as FineReader 8, such usage illustrates an advantage for dual core systems nonetheless.
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AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual Core Processor... (3 offers) Online shop Price Amazon.com $190.32 Unbeatable Sale $224.10 Buy.com $224.10 See more products Apart from the benchmark suites commonly used for THG laptop tests, such as MobileMark 2005 and SYSmark 2004 SE, we used additional applications like Adobe Photoshop CS 2, some of whose program code is optimized for dual-core processors. Moreover, we set up three special multitasking scenarios by making use of some relatively simple means that are available in common applications. In the first and third scenarios (Multitasking I/III), two applications are executed concurrently; in the second scenario (Multitasking II), four applications are executed at the same time. Using a custom-developed tool, we measured how long it took until the system completed all tasks. These custom tests are very suitable for identifying the advantages of a dual-core system. The following sections briefly describe which applications we used for the tests and how we combined individual applications in three different multitasking scenarios. Pegasys TMPGEnc 3.0 Xpress DivX6.1 TMPEG 3.0 was used to convert a VOB file to the MPEG-4 format, using the multi-core optimized DivX 6.1 codec. Adobe Photoshop CS 2 The test script, which is based on Virtual Run Time, simulated real-time user input in Photoshop CS2. A total of seven images (66 MB) were opened, and seven different filters were applied. Three of the filters are thread-optimized, and the application itself is also optimized for dual core. Grisoft AVG Virus Scan 7.1 We used this anti-virus program to screen the installation directory of SYSmark 2004 SE for viruses. To get stable, reproducible results, a "preparatory" scan had to be performed before the actual measurement, as the caching features of Windows only became effective in the second run, i.e., during the actual measurement. This "trick" was used to prevent hard disk accesses from having a measurable effect on the result. This application is not optimized for dual core, but together with another application like FineReader 8, it effectively demonstrates the advantage of a dual-core system.









Norton, stop being jealous and lower your prices
I thought they didn't bat an eye over this?
Norton = bloatware.
Bloatware is not good.
I think you are catching n.
good luck hacking me i have nortan
Avast (Home Edition) scans web pages, IMs, and even P2P application traffic. Zonealarm and Comodo firewalls (free versions) provide excellent incoming and outgoing network traffic control and security. The video is a little misleading when it starts addressing security software.
wow maybe better actors without the random head bobs
Talk about wasting two minutes of my life. That was one of the dumbest goddamn, pieces of shit "commercials" I have ever seen. I will laugh when Microsoft's "free" anti-virus program outperforms Symantec's shit program.
Unlike that dogshit commercial tries to tell people, Microsoft's anti-virus program is not free, since you need Windows to run it. I figure that that is the least Microsoft can do since I gave them $300 for the OS.
Freeware also isn't as bloated.
Ok I see why Norton wants people to pay for their product; it keeps their company running. But that video is as misleading as Apple's Get A Mac commercials. My free version of Avast scans webpages; blocks hackers and scans my e-mail. NOD32 30-day trial can be downloaded over and over again and it scans e-mail and webpages. Avast will tell you if a website is infested with malware; but it's up to the user to continue or not. Comodo Firewall is freeware and it kicks major ass aswell as blocking intrusions and DDoS attacks. But they got one thing right; they don't offer recovery disks; but computer manufacturers do, and if you build your systems you obviously know what to do.
I've had more customers complain about Norton than anything. If Norton finds a virus in a system file it deletes it; often causing system corruption and BSODs. I have put over 200 of my customers on Avast Home and they love it so much better than Norton.
I love Avast, it is a great free virus protector. I hate Norton, I wouldn't use it if I was PAID $100 a year to do so. Nod32 is a great virus protector and it only costs $30 and wont ruin your computer.
So Norton sucks balls and should never, ever, be used on ANY PC just like Mcafee? Your catching on.
They say nothing free is good, then they proceed to say Norton offers free support...
The average PC user will find more than enough security from a free anti-virus solution. I am glad Microsoft went through with this, they really ought to include it with the operating system, and offer a complete package, ready to go after installation.
SEP 11 (aka Symantec Endpoint Protection)+ LiveUpdate Server are the two biggest trouble software solutions on my network. If my vendor allowed me I will deleted SEP on the spot. It accounts for 80% of all my problems. And their Enterprise Support is one of the worst out there. Every time I have to fix something they ask me to install the new version, but only clean install fixes the issue on hand. The biggest problem is that every time the new version fix something, but it breaks something else. It is devil circle. Just search on the Internet and see how many problems are reported.
you cant do nothin i have nortan
FAIL
still won't buy... ya know... the internet is not that dangerous if you know how to use it in a wise manner.
you NEED to get a virus, spywear, adwear, worm, ...etc. at least once in your life in order to learn how not to let em' get you the next time.
stay away from shiny links and good to be true ads like "YOU JUST WON 1M $" and stuff like that.
There are plenty of free products that does the job of protecting you. just make sure you don't click ON an executable file before knowing what is it.
If you need almost perfect protection for like... protecting your host or very important data on a network... it's worth the money.
so uhh avast, avg, and other free virus scanners are lying when the main product page has a security center that scans all that? wow i never knew.. norton wasted two minutes of my life.
This ad is amusing.Im sorry Norton is the worst antivirus ive ever seen.Ive seen it slow machines to a crawl,BSOD them,miss blatant viruses,have viruses comprimise it and block all net acess even after its uninstalled.MSE is actually damn good,its the first av ive seen that as soon as i stick an infected thumb drive in the machine it tells me its removed the crap that was on it.MSE picks up stuff AVG and Mcafee miss ,even rootkits.
The only problem ive had with it is installing it on some machines that have Onecare installed(theres a cleanup tool for that),no proper windows installer(on un-updated xp machines),not genuine or totally messed up with viruses(on xp machines where nothing will run due to virus curroption of certain key files.)There is also a minor bug in xp where the icon wont show up in the system tray but a window will pop up.They might have fixed that in the full release but there is a patch out for that.Finally it takes a long time to scan since it looks in all manner archives.Apart from that its the best antivirus ive used, my machines runs faster than it did when i used avg and its found stuff that it and spysweeper missed and i thought i was clean.Norton and Mcafee are really worrying about this.
I find it hard to believe that this ad is legitimate.
Windows has a built in firewall that is just fine for most users.....don't sit there and tell my they aren't FAR more likely to get infected by gambling online and downloading their porn.
For support, retail PC users have their manufacturer (which is no worse than Symantec's support, who probably sit in the very next cubicle at the call center), retail OS purchasers have MS support (which contrary to some rants, is excellent).
Having a firewall and blocking intrusions are the same things, unless you mean updates to the OS, which Norton doesn't do anyway, Windows updates does.
Webpage scanners and safe/block lists slow down your system and are mostly based on user input anyway. Someone has to get infected first for the flags to go up...Symantec doesn't care if its you.
Their backup and recovery options are no better than free options and other WAY better commercial options are out there for less money.
...basically for all of their points, I either don't need that "feature" or it blows, really, really hard. (except for the sucking it does of system resources)
More problems had me with symantec ghost many mobos are not supported and forum support is the worst.The only good thing symantec has is symantec antivirus cause it can be used easily on domains.Freeware FTW
At one time, Norton's was a great product....ABOUT 15 Years ago!!!!!!!!
Since then they are BLOATWARE............
My God, Norton.....You are so far out of touch. Norton's does work, but its size is so bloated that it always drastically slow down any computer.....
Get a clue Norton!!!
i dont know what your guys problem with Norton. I been running it for years and not had a problem with it. There has been a few times when i used free anti virus but i always had problem with them.
umm... think the vid's gone?
Anyway, I wouldn't call the windows one free, I'd call it a part of windows. And seeing as how I'd rather risk viruses than suffer the constant slowdown of having a virus scanner, I sure as hell don't want to pay for one. Release one that has NO noticeable effect on my PC's performance or usability (except for killing viruses) then I might buy that.
Norton is nothing more than Bloatware.
Even worse, it can cause problems which can make it difficult to work on a Norton Infested system.
If Norton were to get their way, you could possibly say goodbye to such tools as MalwareByte's AntiMalware, SpyBot - Search & Desroy and many other very useful tools.
Chances are, Norton would probably do what ever they could to get rid of them. Probably by buying up the competition and throwing away the software or worse, incorporate it into their own, thereby making it worthless.
Microsoft's anti-virus program is not free, since you need Windows to run it.
true. ofcourse, you also need Windows to run the viruses (virii?).
I think it's a funny ad. Not quite accurate, but close enough. Plus, the woman is kinda cute, and that's always a plus in an ad.
I'm not a fan of Symantec (see last paragraph below), but NAV is the one Symantec product that I actually recommend. I don't recommend any of their other "security" products.
I was a fan of AVG 7.x, but now that they're forcing everyone to v8, which isn't free, I no longer find any reason to recommend it. Even if you can use it beyond it's 30 day trial (I haven't tried), it's annoyance-ware/nag-ware until you buy it, and I won't use that.
My free version of Avast scans webpages; blocks hackers and scans my e-mail. NOD32 30-day trial can be downloaded over and over again and it scans e-mail and webpages.
It's great that Avast provides all those additional protections, however, having to download a "free trial" every 30 days isn't the same as free, unless your time is worthless. My time isn't worthless, and (ignoring my opinion about some people) neither is the time of anyone I know.
To everyone bashing Norton as bloatware, slow, etc: Prior to to the release of Norton Antivirus 2009, I would have agreed with you. Until they redesign all their other "endpoint protection" products, that complaint might apply to every Symantec product except NAV 2009, however, NAV 2009/2010 are completely different from any version you've used before. If you haven't tried them, at least research them before bashing them.
Frankly, Symantec has a history of screwing up every product they've ever purchased by turning it into bloatware, and/or removing it's best features, and/or letting it languish, and/or making it incompatible or unstable. Hopefully, NAV 2009 is just a start and Symantec will start producing decent products, but I'm not betting on that.
It's funny how 99% of the time when someone says they have a virus/spyware/malware on their PC.....it's when they were using Norton. It's also funny how free antivirus products repair the problems Norton let happen in the first place.
And the video is already removed.
I have already had experience with the newest versions of Norton AV and Norton 360.
I still don't like them and they still have problems which need to be ironed out.
Norton tries to cover too many bases at once and there's "not enough" user control over the product settings. It's still Bloatware.
free.avg.com has v8.5 for free. I'm not sure where you got the not free part? Would you mind elaborating?
Talk about wasting two minutes of my life. That was one of the dumbest goddamn, pieces of shit "commercials" I have ever seen. I will laugh when Microsoft's "free" anti-virus program outperforms Symantec's shit program.Unlike that dogshit commercial tries to tell people, Microsoft's anti-virus program is not free, since you need Windows to run it. I figure that that is the least Microsoft can do since I gave them $300 for the OS.
Wow, you bought a full retail copy of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition? That's rather silly, seeing as an OEM copy would have ran you $175, which is quite a bit less. At the same time, neither seems especially unreasonable, when games cost $50, professional applications cost hundreds, and plenty of other software is rather pricey. I'd say $300 for the OS that it all runs on is a steal.
free.avg.com has v8.5 for free. I'm not sure where you got the not free part? Would you mind elaborating?
Does it prompt you to upgrade to the paid version the every time you login (or the first time you login each day)? That's annoyance ware. It takes my time, therefore, it's not free.