Is Norton AV Putting My Computer at Risk?

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The discussion centers around frustrations with a particular antivirus program's scanning and threat management process. Users express confusion over the options presented after a scan, specifically the inability to effectively address threats without leaving the system vulnerable. The options to "Skip" or "Exclude" are seen as inadequate, leading to user paralysis and abandonment of the program. Suggestions include trying alternative antivirus solutions like Nod32 and scanning in safe mode to improve threat detection and removal. Additionally, there is a recommendation to manually research flagged files on Symantec's website if the antivirus definitions are outdated or if the user lacks a subscription for updates. The overall sentiment highlights the need for a more intuitive interface and clearer options for managing detected threats.
DaveC426913
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I do not understand this program.

When it finishes its scan, it's going to list a bunch of threats, some it will have purged, most it will have failed. And it will give me two choices:
Skip - do not bother doing anything about these files
Exclude - do not bother checking these files again

I don't want to EITHER of those! Any option I choose leaves my computer wide open!

So, I do what I do every time. I stare at the buttons for several minutes, paralyzed, then I [X] kill the program, having chosen neither option.


What are they THINKING!??
 
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Norton is bloated. Try Nod32
 
Try booting in safe mode and then scan.
 
DrMark said:
Try booting in safe mode and then scan.
Good point.That would makje sense and does address my "why it can't delete threats" problem (in fact, it makes one wonder why NAV doesn't suggest running in safe mode), but it doesn't address the extremely confusing interface. Do I want to Skip? or Exclude?
 
Are your virus defs up to date (Sept. 8, 2005) ? If not update and rerun NAV. If you don't have a subscription (for the virus defs) and the defs are old I'd take the following paranoid approach: Write down every file name that Norton gives you the option on (skip or exclude). Then go to Symantec and search ( http://www.symantec.com/search/ ) for the various files to see if a virus has been associated with any of them. If so use the by hand solution given by Symantec if not exclude.
 
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