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Millions of computers have Norton in different flavours installed. Symantec is a leader in internet security, and often bundles their software with OEMs as a "feature". I would guess many Windows users have run into Norton at least once. The following is a guide to help you minimise Norton problems. 1. Always install Norton directly after the OS, and before you go online. When you go online, bleed Live Update (LU) and reboot whenever prompted. This can take awhile, just do it, until it pronounces you up to date at least twice in a row. 2. Unless you know specifically what you are doing, let Norton default. Do not restrict any of its online access, and do not monkey with any settings you are unsure of. A new user can safely use the "Automatic Program Control" to reduce the prompts. 3. The first advice you will ever be given about a Norton problem is uninstall reinstall. There are alternatives. First, make sure Norton really is the problem. Many times it is blamed unfairly. If you're sure it's a Norton issue, go to the live update and see if you need anything. I do not know why, but occasionally Norton gets goofy when an update requiring a reboot is in the queue. You must do a manual Live Update to get an update requiring a reboot. 4. You can try installing over the top. Sometimes that works, just be sure to go to LU again, when you finish. 5. If you must uninstall and reinstall, go offline first. Then visit LU immediately when you go online, as many times as it takes. 6. If you get fed up and decide to dump Norton, forget registry cleaners to remove the debris. Either learn to live with it, or reformat and reinstall your OS. (A clean install of Norton at that point will be painless!) 7. A Norton AV scan is not the same as an online scan by any of the major companies. By default, at 8pm on Friday, Norton will scan your computer for anything in its database. If the bad guy slipped by in the first place, chances are Norton won't find it now. Get into a routine of doing an online scan, and disable the auto scan. 8. Norton logs are your friend. You can find out every communication your computer had, even if some teenager tried to delete his evidence. Password protect Norton for privacy, or for assurance that no one will change your chosen settings. 9. Norton can boss stubborn software. Some software wants to connect to the internet needlessly, and there is no way to control its access within itself. Norton can "make a rule", and end that problem. (I don't need MS Word to use the net everytime I save a document, or open one!) 10. USE the email in and out scan feature. Yes, there is a pause, especially on a big file. The reason I say scan outgoing mail is because if your computer does get a malicious mass mailer of some sort, Norton will let you know right away. Of course you are scanning incoming anything, that's why you bought Norton, right? 11. If you feel Norton is a resource hog (it is!) it is time to justify a new computer. Norton is sluggish on old comps, but a new computer running Windows XP or Vista isn't even going to notice Norton, and you won't either. | 
