Deleting Norton AntiVirus

[Jack Sprat]

I should say I'm attempting to. It won't leave my PC. I have tried the Uninstall from the Norton program and I have tried to remove it from Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel.

My new free anti-virus program download instructs me to remove the old anti-virus program completely before beginning the download of its' AV program. Yet, I am afraid as soon as Norton is disabled that 1,000,000 viruses and trojans will suddenly descend on my PC. Anyone have any experience changing anti-virus programs?

[ghostsofgiants]

1. You should be fine but if you're really concerned, just disable your internet connection...

While you do it.

[Jack Sprat]

3. Maybe that's why Norton hasn't uninstalled.

I have cable internet so just closing all windows doesn't disconnect. I will turn the modem off and try it. Thanks.

[Lyric]

2. I dumped Norton *and* McAfee and replaced them with AVG

I was not deluged with malware or viruses during the interim few minutes, I promise.

It's hard to uninstall Norton, though. The feds really should look into that crap. It's worse than AOL about sinking its teeth into your system and refusing to budge.

[Jack Sprat]

4. Tell me about it.

I have been able to remove the SymantecLiveUpdate, but the main program has not even acted as if it will uninstall. I may have to try using Drain-O or Rid-X.

[Lionel Mandrake]

7. McAfee came with my Vista machine

It keeps telling me to buy another year's worth, even though my current subscription is nowhere near expiring. The damn thing pops up in the lower right hand corner of my screen, insisting that I stop what I was doing and deal with it.

[Radical Activist]

9. dump that crap.

It's nothing but an ad to begin with. AVG is great.

[Radical Activist]

8. So did I.

And yes, Norton is evil and acts like a virus itself.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. You need the Norton Removal Tool

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

[Jack Sprat]

11. Thank you CatholicEdHead.

I would never have known they had a removal program. They certainly do not broadcast it. I will give it a try and thanks again. Never a better place to find help than DU.

[Muttocracy]

6. it's probably harder to delete because some viruses TRY to disable your anti-virus software

You might try the folks in the computer forum? They're very helpful.

[Jack Sprat]

10. There are plenty of forums, but no Computer forum.

I wish there was a Computer forum.

[mockmonkey]

12. computer forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

Also see post #5 Norton removal tool.

[NYC_SKP]

13. Wrong, friend. The DU computer interest group forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

:hi:

[Jack Sprat]

15. Excellent.

I never knew it was there under Personal Interests...Great.

[NYC_SKP]

16. And members there have helped me a LOT!!!

And to these helpers: :applause:

[DarkTirade]

14. You can't uninstall evil.

I suggest putting a timed explosive inside your computer case, running like hell, and just buying a new computer.

[flvegan]

17. An exorcism?

[DarkTirade]

18. Exorcisms are made to get rid of unholy...

but there's unholy and then there's... hell, I don't think they even have a word for it.