Backup files with Windows defender or Norton??

[andy t]

Hello, am I right in saying windows defender can back up your files, at the
moment I have the norton control for backup files as "off", do I need both of
them for this purpose or will they conflict??

 

[Gordon]

Hello, am I right in saying windows defender can back up your files, at
the
moment I have the norton control for backup files as "off", do I need both
of
them for this purpose or will they conflict??

Windows defender is NOT a backup utility.

 

[Charlie42]

Windows defender is NOT a backup utility.

It is an anti-spyware program. Still, Windows Vista has a built in Backup
and Restore Center which you can use if you do not fancy the Norton
application.

Windows Vista - Backup and Restore FAQ:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9eb3d150-fe33-41a0-b7f6-233d7fe4460a1033.mspx

Using Windows Defender:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/4ef8da25-133e-4947-99c1-5c7951d48a151033.mspx

Charlie42

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Windows Defender is not a backup application, it is simply an
anti-spyware/malware application.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[andy t]

Thanks for your replies guys, as I said, my Norton settings are showing that
my "backup files" setting, is set to off. What is your advice on this,
should I back them up? And if I do, will it slow down the workings of my PC?

Thanks again

 

[Charlie42]

Thanks for your replies guys, as I said, my Norton settings are
showing that my "backup files" setting, is set to off. What is your
advice on this, should I back them up?

You should *always* back up. Schedule regular backups of your files.
Consider making disk image backups as well (backup the entire disk so that
it can be restored in case of a disk crash or a malware infestation).

As for what backup tool to use, it is for you to decide. Norton will backup
up things just fine, and so will Vista. The disk imaging part depends on
what Vista edition or Norton program you have. Vista Business and Ultimate
can do it.

And if I do, will it slow down the workings of my PC?

Sorry to say, but yes. Backups involve a lot of disk reading, writing and
caching, and it will keep your system busy. Schedule backups to run at
night, or some other time when you do not use the computer.

In my experience, Norton products are worse in this respect than Vista
itself or other products, but that is just a general remark. You may not
notice any difference between them.

Charlie42

 

[Dave T.]

Hello, am I right in saying windows defender can back up your files, at the
moment I have the norton control for backup files as "off", do I need both of
them for this purpose or will they conflict??

Andy,
if you are referring to *SCANNING* backup archives, you can enable both
apps to scan. There are drawbacks to this, such as scanning speed, etc.
Whether or not backups need to be scanned is another question.

 

[andy t]

I am beginning to understand now, I accidentally clicked on something
recently, so I went to "system restore" went back a couple of days, and it
restored the problem. I think I am I right in saying that it backs up files
for so many days, and automatically terminates the old ones so as to free up
disk space, perhaps you can confirm this to me Guy's.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and Norton 360 version 2.O. What are "disk
image backups" and how do you perform them? My Norton shows that it is
disabled and say's "your scheduled automatic backups are currently turned
off".

As I said, my scheduled automatic backups are working anyway, and if I open
the Norton backup as well, will this not clog up the system more? I know
when opening it, it will show me a list of the files to be backed up, and as
you said, scan everything.

Finally, you mentioned that the "Norton antivirus" package is one of the
worst, why is it? And what would be a more suitable replacement?

 

[Charlie42]

I am beginning to understand now, I accidentally clicked on something
recently, so I went to "system restore" went back a couple of days,
and it restored the problem. I think I am I right in saying that it backs
up files for so many days, and automatically terminates the old ones so
as to free up disk space, perhaps you can confirm this to me Guy's.

System restore points are created regularly + when you install software or
updates. Old restore points are not overwritten until the disk space used by
System Restore is full. Be aware that System Restore does *not* back up your
personal files and folders. You must use the Backup and Restore Center for
that.

What is System Restore?
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9f6d755a-74bb-4a7d-a625-d762dd8e79e51033.mspx

I have Windows Vista Home Premium and Norton 360 version 2.O.
What are "disk image backups" and how do you perform them?

They are backups of entire hard drives; operative system, bootloader, user
files & all. Like I said, a crashed or compromised hard drive can be
restored with such backups. System Restore is *not* a disk imaging utility,
neither is Norton 360. Search Google for more information.

My Norton shows that it is disabled and say's "your scheduled
automatic backups are currently turned off".

As I said, my scheduled automatic backups are working anyway, and
if I open the Norton backup as well, will this not clog up the system
more? I know when opening it, it will show me a list of the files to be
backed up, and as you said, scan everything.

One backup system is sufficient. If you do not need Norton to back up your
files, you can ignore the "disabled" warning.

Finally, you mentioned that the "Norton antivirus" package is one of
the worst, why is it?

The main issue with Norton products is their massive use of system
resources. There are security products on the market that will protect you
equally well or better, with smaller footprints. By exchanging Norton for a
different program, you can free up resources you would rather spend on being
productive.

And what would be a more suitable replacement?

I recommend NOD32 for antivirus. Use it along with Windows Firewall and
Windows Defender, and you should be well protected.

If you are looking for a security suite, try Eset Smart Security (by the
makers of NOD32) or Kaspersky Internet Security. In my opinion, suites are
not the best solution though. They will protect you, but they usually come
bundled with programs and features you really do not need.

Some of the free solutions will also provide decent security. AVG and Avast!
are two popular, and good, programs. For a free firewall, I would go with
Comodo, but again: Windows Firewall will suffice for most home users. Run an
additional spyware scanner now and again, like Spybot or Superantispyware.

http://www.eset.com/
http://www.kaspersky.com/
http://free.avg.com/
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Charlie42

 

[andy t]

Thank you very much Charlie42 for all the information and the other guys out
there. Did you say that there is free antivirus software? I had no idea
that you could get free protection software programmes, silly question, but
why are they free?

I have another question perhaps you might be able to help me. Do any of you
guys know anything about the new speech recognition program in vista?

 

[Charlie42]

Thank you very much Charlie42 for all the information and the other
guys out there. Did you say that there is free antivirus software? I
had no idea that you could get free protection software programmes,
silly question, but why are they free?

The programs I mentioned are free for promotional reasons, mainly. By
offering basic freeware antivirus, the manufacturers hope some of the
downloaders will decide to buy the entire security suites they offer later
on.

This does not mean the free versions are bad. They offer real time and on
deman scanning and regular virus signature database updates. They do lack
advanced features though, like for instance detailed configuration and
scheduling.

I have another question perhaps you might be able to help me. Do
any of you guys know anything about the new speech recognition
program in vista?

That is not my area, but I suggest you top post/start a new thread since you
are introducing a new topic. Your question will get better exposure that
way.

Charlie42

 

[Dave T.]

andy t wrote:
Did you say that there is free antivirus software? I had no idea

that you could get free protection software programmes, silly question, but
why are they free?

All Anti-Virus software was free until the mid '90's. You could download
McAfee or Norton anytime. All you had to put up with was the ads.

 

[andy t]

Thanks for the information Charlie, Dave and the others. I got the Norton
package free with this PC, so I might as well use this for as long as it is
valid right?

 

[Nonny]

Thanks for the information Charlie, Dave and the others. I got the Norton
package free with this PC, so I might as well use this for as long as it is
valid right?

You'd be better off uninstalling it and then installing one of the
freebies, preferably Avast.

Won't cost you any more. Will work a lot better.

 

[Charlie42]

Thanks for the information Charlie, Dave and the others. I got the
Norton package free with this PC, so I might as well use this for
as long as it is valid right?

Sure. What you have is a trial edition, so I guess it expires within 90
days. When you switch to a different program, make sure to have Norton
properly uninstalled from your computer. Norton have a special application
for this, download it for free from their web site:

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

You must run Norton Removal Tool two or three times, each time reboot the
machine afterwards. The tool can not uninstall all components in one run
alone.

Charlie42

 

[Dave T.]

Thanks for the information Charlie, Dave and the others. I got the Norton
package free with this PC, so I might as well use this for as long as it is
valid right?

If you choose to use Norton, you need to investigate the procedure for
using system recovery. Norton disables it.

 

[andy t]

No, what I meant Charlie was, I got the full Norton program at half price
with the PC I bought, it came with the "Macafee" 90 day protection, and when
that was used up, I put in the new Norton CD and I got Norton to remove the
Macafee and set up their program by remote access which one of their IT
experts did free of charge. So that is what I meant when I said " I might as
well wait until Norton expires".

Whenever that is, usually six months or a year, isn't it? Then I will
probably need some advice on uninstalling Norton and then installing another
package.

Once again, thanks for all the advice.

 

[Charlie42]

No, what I meant Charlie was, I got the full Norton program at
half price with the PC I bought<snip>

Whenever that is, usually six months or a year, isn't it? Then I will
probably need some advice on uninstalling Norton and then
installing another package.

Sorry, I got it a bit wrong. Yes, you can safely use Norton for as long as
you paid for it. Feel free to post here again if you need more help with
changing programs later on. The procedure is pretty straight-forward,
really. Just bookmark the link I gave you and follow the instructions on the
site when you need to.

Charlie42