My Norton Internet Security runs out at the end of the month. It is the 2005 version. What should I replace it with? Janet Sheffield
If you are happy with the software you have, the obvious replacement is Norton 2007. Since Norton 2006 was an improvement on 2005, 2007 may well be too, but you can read reviews on the net, such as tinyurl.com/y9wzqa.
Alternatively you could switch to either AVG (from free.grisoft.com) or Avast (tinyurl.com/56jes). Both of these are proper commercial programs with full business versions, and both use technology developed in the Czech Republic. However, both firms have free versions available for non-commercial home users, which I have tried and can recommend. The main catch is that the free versions come with no support. If you have problems, you will have to turn to the support boards, not the companies themselves.
You must also make sure that you have all aspects of security covered, not just anti-virus checking. Many firms now offer complete suites, and although some components may be weaker than others, this approach is very convenient. If you just install an anti-virus program, you may need to install Windows Defender (formerly Giant Anti-spyware) and/or Ewido (bought by Grisoft and available in a limited free version), to combat spyware and Trojans, plus a firewall. I'd also add SpywareBlaster (www.javacoolsoftware.com), which is freeware; you don't need it running all the time.
Unfortunately, there are not as many good free firewalls around as there used to be. At the moment, I'm recommending the Kerio Personal Firewall, which has been rescued by Sunbelt Software (tinyurl.com/aaspz) of CounterSpy fame. Like Ewido, this comes as a trial version that reverts to a more limited level of functionality if you don't pay up. However, it's still good enough for home use.
There are other good products I don't have room to mention. Sadly, there are even more bad products, and some programs that claim to be anti-spyware are actually malware. There are lots of programs that pretend to find problems with your PC then pretend to fix them, for a fee, and these often appear in Google's advertising and search results. Check the Spyware Warrior List of Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites (www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm) before downloading anything unfamiliar.
