Laptop critically slow after installing new antivirus

S

sitnet

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Hey there :)

On Thursday evening I got the the Virut.NBP virus. I decided it was a lost cause and formatted my Laptop (HP nc6320) and all sticks and portables on Saturday.

After installing Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit again, I decided I needed a better antivirus. I Installed Symantec Endpoint Security 11 and Comodo firewall. I then did all the 150Mb of Windows updates and the Symatec Updates. So today I decide I want to download a torrent (With Utorrent). As soon as the torrent starts the whole PC becomes unusably slow. The CPU usage becomes 99% and the pointer takes like 5secs + to respond to mouse movement. Although the torrent is connected to 100+ seeds I also only get like 1 KBps download speed, instead of the usuall 400KBps.

Before this I was running Eset Smart Security 4 and everything was fine. It also only seems to happen when using torrents. When looking on Comodo when downloading a torrent it shows 1000+ incoming and outgoing connections.

What is going on here?
 
Two options for you :

Uninstall the Symantec bloatware and install Windows Security Essentials + use the built-in Windows firewall. I use that for my Windows 7 pc and it flies.

However, since you are downloading some suspect stuff with Utorrent, and don't want to have to worry about downloading some hardcore virueses, I would suggest that you install Ubuntu Linux 10.10 on your laptop. Then you can download anything you want, without a worry in the world + your notebook will fly.
 
So basically you're saying Symatec uses too much resources and I must remove both it and Comodo?

Or go over to Ubuntu? Well going over to Ubuntu is not an option.

Don't you have any other suggestions for good but less resourcefull antivirusses? I need good protection but with minimal performance decrease. Eset worked great but after that Virut got through I thought I needed something better. And yes I download torrents daily.

Any other suggestions?
 
Thanx for all the replies so far.

I'm looking into Avira Premium Security Suite. I see that you guys are all recommending free solutions. I'm willing to pay, that's not a problem, I just need a proper solution.
 
Last edited:
sitnet said:
Thanx for all the replies so far.

I'm looking into Avira Premium Security Suite. I see that you guys are all recommending free solutions. I'm willing to pay, that's not a problem, I just need a proper solution.
Click to expand...

Like who.is.michael said, Symantec is crapware. I had endless problems with Symantec products before & most/all of the time, it was the culprit when pcs started running slow, or getting blue screens.

Before I switched to Microsoft Security Essentials, I used AVG paid edition. Very good product, cos you have tons of configuration choices, etc. Avira is one of the best, is a good choice.
 
Grouter said:
Did you see the date of that review? Jun 5, 2008 . I reckon MSE might figure a little more prominently on that list lately...As you yourself mentioned, MSE + a windows firewall + a little commonsense and you're safe as houses these days.
Click to expand...

For me it does the trick & I'm extremely happy with it + I don't hang out at Warez sites.

Nowadays if I want to/need to download from untrusted web sites, I jump on my Ubuntu notebook and download the file/files, copy it to a USB stick and scan it with MSE. Works for me.
 
kingrob said:
Nowadays if I want to/need to download from untrusted web sites, I jump on my Ubuntu notebook and download the file/files, copy it to a USB stick and scan it with MSE. Works for me.
Click to expand...

Great minds think alike;)
 
Jola said:
How well will Ubuntu run on an Asus EEE N280 Atom netbook (2GB RAM) ? Drivers issues ? And for a E1820 Huawei modem ?
Click to expand...

Should be OK. Don't know about the modem though...

(I see derailing...)
 
should have gone with Microsoft Security Essentials and the build in Windows Firewall... the rest of that stuff is just an unnecessary expense.
 
I agree that installing Ubuntu is a good idea. Bear in mind though that it's a new OS not a new application. So be open minded and patient (slight learning curve, but it's worth it). It's not difficult and Ubuntu have a great forum with people willing to help.

Or just install Avira and Comodo.
 
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