Following a clean install, Windows Update remains at "Checking For Updates" forever...

Hi again CT,

My wife uses the same technique as you for passwords.  I just hope she doesn't lose the piece of paper they're written on, or have it stolen in a break in.  I have mine saved because I use several of them several times a day rather than stay logged in.  As I said earlier, I'll look at the reports you've linked to.  I'm warming to the idea already.

Thanks again,

Ian

I never used Norton Identity safe or any other password scheme.  Simply, I don't trust them.  I maintain complex passwords on paper.  It works for me.

I used Norton Antivirus for years.  When they dropped the product several years back, I switched my clients to Bitdefender Antivirus+.  It is dramatically superior.  Problems are rare and protection is excellent which is clearly demonstrated by the fact that not a single one of those 150 has been infected since then.

Hi CT,

Apologies for the delay in responding, and many thanks for your comprehensive advice.  I'm aware of (and suffer from) the issues of conflict between Firefox and Norton, so take your point about ditching the comprehensive type of protection.  I'll have a good look at the linked documents.

One reason I've stuck with Norton is that I've always found them very helpful when I get stuck, which may make you smile - ie if I didn't use Norton, I wouldn't get stuck in the first place!  I like the "insurance" provided by this arrangement but do note that my son, who's used AVG for years, never seems to have any issues, which may not be a coincidence.

I also use a password manager (Lastpass since Norton Identity Safe stopped working on FF).  I'd be very worried about any "reduction" in protection that put security of this facility at risk.  What advie can you offer on that?

Thanks again,

Ian

I suggest you re-think your security strategy:

Which Antivirus product to choose?

The “Security” software installed on your computer may be causing problems that can not be diagnosed or fixed.  Try removing it temporarily.

This is a controversial topic, but your choice of AV software may be something you want to take a 2nd look at.  I suggest you visit this web site to get a sense of which AV software does the best job, depending on what kind of user you are:   http://www.av-comparatives.org/   This is a non-profit that has been around for a long time and I trust their results.  Download and read the 2015 summary report.  Their latest report: http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/avc\_prot\_2016a\_en.pdf

When you interpret these results, keep in mind the difference between a product that detects 95% and another 99% of infections, is actually 5 times more likely to allow an infection.

I am speaking from a great deal of experience.  I support 150 client computers.  I have been doing this for 14 years.  My clients NEVER have infections.

The only products I will use or recommend are ANTIVIRUS-ONLY products.  Any product that is called complete protection, Internet security or deems itself to be a comprehensive security product is prohibited on my client computers.

I have good reason for this. Over the years and hundreds of PCs, I’ve learned a lesson well.  That it is very difficult to diagnose and fix the problem(s) when components of an Internet Security product are actively working to prevent that diagnosis.  The software sees the technician (me in this case) as a threat.  I discovered that if I uninstalled that software, I am able to much more likely and quickly discover an fix the problem.  Antivirus ONLY products do not behave like this.

The other components in these IS products (other than the AV itself) cause more problems than any benefit they bring and mostly work by shutting down the Windows component that does a very good job of that particular task anyway.

It is the Antivirus software that you need.  It is actually allthat you need with Windows 7.

Most of the big name suppliers much prefer to sell their all-in products because they can sell them for a higher price.  Some do not offer an antivirus only product.  Some push their all in ones and still sell the AV only product, but you may have to look for them.  There is at least one and it is either the best or close to it.

Beware of products that try to actively engage you in the security process by asking your permission to run a program named xd43_45d*.exe, or the like.

Do not use any product that claims to make your computer run better.  Virtually all of them are either bogus, themselves an infection, or put your computer at risk. Remove everything that claims to be there to prevent infections or claims to make your computer run better, with the singular exception of just one antivirus product.

Note well.  You should never have more than one protection product installed.  Always ensure that you completely remove any and all protection software packages before installing a new one.  That includes software that may have come pre-installed on your computer when new.  Some products will conflict with one another, causing yet more problems.

You cannot fully remove most any AV software by simply using the standard Windows 7 uninstall tool.  Most of the majors also publish a “removal tool” that gets the rest of it.  If you do not completely remove it, it will cause very hard to understand and diagnose problems.