Yahoo Browser and Norton

[dogwhisperer2003]

Hi. I am new here, and am hoping someone can help. I have a Dell Dimension 3000, which I bought new about three years ago. I am running Windows XP. I have added memory and a Radeon card. It performs pretty well most of the time; however, I am having a few problems with it. I'll just post the antivirus problem here.

I receive my internet service through the phone company, and have installed the complimentary Norton security package. It seems to work fine, except for one thing. It scans everything when I start up my computer. This usually takes about 15 minutes. The only way I can get it to not do it is to completely disable it and tell it not to start when I start my computer. If I don't, when the computer is booting up, it hogs all of the resources, so I can't even try to stop it.

Also, it runs periodic scans in the background; at least that is what I am assuming. Something is running a scan. It usually happens in the evening, and it is not a full system virus scan. I was beginning to think that my computer had been hijacked (or was haunted) because my CD drive would start up every nite if there was a disc in it. But, I removed my DSL cable from the computer one evening and it still did it.

How can I get Norton under control? Is Norton even the problem?

Please help!

[iamtonsoffun247]

Welcome to Computer Hope!

First off, I wouldnt recommend Norton at all.  It is a memory hog and just isnt as good as it used to be.  I would recomment either AVG or Avast (more avast because AVG has been having problems, not too sure if they have been fixed.)  Links for them are here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

also, follow the instructions in the link, and post the logs back here.  A malware removal specialist will be with you as soon as they can! 

Note:  Best if you would follow the instructions on there before removing norton and trying another antivirus.  If you dont mind paying for antivirus/antispyware, id recommend Trend Micro...

[dogwhisperer2003]

Thank you for your response.
 
I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up on Norton yet. It does work well with the games I play, at least when it's not doing random scans.....

I used to pay for McCaffey. It worked great until I started doing online gaming. Plus, it didn't like the music player I was using.  So when my ISP offered Norton, I made the switch. And that's when I found out that you can't just use the add/remove programs to get rid of a virus scanner.

I would prefer to just find a way to make Norton behave.

Thanks again!

[iamtonsoffun247]

No problem!  Think about it.  But if you think there may be viruses that have gotten by Norton, follow the instructions in the link above and post the 3 logs back here.  JUST to make sure you are all clear