Software Norton AV vs. Malwarebytes (Free Version)

[Joe]

I have Norton Antivirus on my laptop. I pay for this. But recently, it has "upgraded" to a format where it apparently does not do anything unless I manually prompt it. And the only way I know to do this is to look at a very small icon in my systems tray, or more precisely at an even smaller red circle covering a small section of the icon. If there is a white check mark in the red circle, then everything is ok. But if there is an exclamation point or anything else there is a problem. And if you tell it to "fix the problem," it does not give you an estimate of the time it will take, nor tell you which operations it will perform, nor tell you how long it took when the operations are over (so you might estimate how long it will take next time).

Meanwhile the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-malware, which is supposed to be entirely passive and only run when you tell it to, has changed its format so that it comes on and prompts you to run a scan maybe every twenty minutes or so. And it you don't want it to run you have to keep shutting it off, and shutting it off, over and over and over again. Very annoying.

 

[beancounter]

There are important differences between the two:
The Difference Between Antivirus and Anti-Malware (and Which to Use)

Also, you should be running Norton internet security (or a competitor's equivalent). It sits in you PC's memory and actively watches for threats - unlike an AV program that doesn't do anything until you tell it to. It's a VERY important difference.

 

[Joe]

There are important differences between the two:
The Difference Between Antivirus and Anti-Malware (and Which to Use)

Thanks. I know they are different. That's why I have both.

Also, you should be running Norton internet security (or a competitor's equivalent). It sits in you PC's memory and actively watches for threats - unlike an AV program that doesn't do anything until you tell it to. It's a VERY important difference.

I am running Norton Internet Security. I "misspoke myself" in my earlier post.

 

[beancounter]

Ok, So I guess I don't understand your question.

Are you asking how to **** MWB off? I'm guessing that's a configuration issue. Or it might be a start up setting.

 

[Joe]

Ok, So I guess I don't understand your question.

There was/is no question. My post was a complaint or (if you will) a rant.

Are you asking how to **** MWB off? I'm guessing that's a configuration issue. Or it might be a start up setting.

**** it off? What a vulgar expression!

It would be an improvement if it had a setting to shut it down until the next time I start Windows. But I did not see such a setting.

 

[beancounter]

There was/is no question. My post was a complaint or (if you will) a rant.



**** it off? What a vulgar expression!

It would be an improvement if it had a setting to shut it down until the next time I start Windows. But I did not see such a setting.

The one thing that the computer science and tech threads lack is vulgarity. Just needed to spice up a dry topic

The pro version of MWB is $25 for lifetime updates. It's the best deal in the AV industry IMO. I recommend upgrading. I have it, and have not experienced any issues at all.

I think the best thing to do, if you don't want to pay, is to completely remove the version you have now, and make sure you clean your registry of any remnants, download a new copy from the MWB site, and install it..

 

[Joe]

The pro version of MWB is $25 for lifetime updates. It's the best deal in the AV industry IMO. I recommend upgrading. I have it, and have not experienced any issues at all.

But wouldn't the pro version conflict with Norton Internet Security? I am using the free version of MWB in part to avoid any conflict with NIS.

I think the best thing to do, if you don't want to pay, is to completely remove the version you have now, and make sure you clean your registry of any remnants, download a new copy from the MWB site, and install it..

Sorry to be so dense, but what would this accomplish?

 

[beancounter]

But wouldn't the pro version conflict with Norton Internet Security? I am using the free version of MWB in part to avoid any conflict with NIS.?

They certainly did conflict in the past, but it doesn't appear to anymore. I'm using the "live" version of both MWB and NIS, and to my knowledge, no conflicts have occurred. But to be safe, I guess you shouldn't run them together.

Here's a year old conversation, for what it's worth:
Malwarebytes and Norton can work together? | Norton Community


Sorry to be so dense, but what would this accomplish?[/QUOTE]

Sometimes when a new version of a program is installed over an older version, files and configurations can be corrupted. By completely deleting the old version and installing the new version, you can ensure that the files and configurations are clean. But it's important to remove all traces of the old program before installing the new version.