I bought the NIS 2010 3 users during the recent PC fair.

Previously have been a happy user of Kaspersky for past 1 year.

Now, after changing to Norton, I am not very satisfied.

1 day after installing NIS 2010, I noticed hidden folders named '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' in all my drives. From my past experience, I suspect this is a virus. I had these hidden folders in PC before I bought Kaspersky which prevent it from attacking again.

Now, after I noticed this problem, I formatted my pc again and reinstall NIS 2010. I run virus scan on all external hardisk and thumbrive and I found a TROJAN in my thumbdrive, which I suspect to cause these hidden folders to appear. This thumb drive was inserted into my pc for atleast 1 hour previously and no prompt by NIS about any security risk!!!!!!

Just now, just after 10 days of using NIS 2010, I run a scan on my friend's thumb drive and NIS 2010 took very long. After scanning, a virus was found. The virus is W32.SILLYFDC. A check on my C: and D: drives reveal shocking findings. The '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' reappeared again!!!!!!!

NIS 2010 had not only never prompt the users on impending virus attack, it had also allowed virus into our pc system easily even while I am running the virus scan.

My past experience with Kaspersky is that it will prompt user the moment a thumb drive with virus is inserted. In my first case, A virus in the thumb drive was in my PC for more than 1 hour and no action was taken (Not even any prompt!!!)!!!!!!

The scanning speed is infact fast! But, the security level was compromised! Is there any way to ask for a refund?

I want to change back to Kaspersky now......

This post has been edited by chiakwang: Dec 16 2009, 07:22 PM

I believe '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' is not a virus. It is system file, it will appear once you un-check 'Hide protected operating system files' in folder option.

Who told u Recyle bin and System Volume Information is virus? They are just system folders, exist in every windows pc.

I always observe my folders. I always allow hidden files to be seen. Due to the first virus attack, I am very alert and always observe my drive for any additional hidden files. Infact, I can always see a hidden 'MSOCache' folder in my drive once I install microsoft office before the virus attack. Thats mean hidden files can always be seen all the while and no such hidden files appearing before the virus.

But after the second virus attack, these hidden files appear immediately and one of it shows error message when I click it.

While I am using Kaspersky for the past 1 year, I have encountered similar virus and no such incident occured.

In fact, I start observing these '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' hidden folders more than 1 year ago when my pc was attack by virus. That is when I did not update my AVG and so it is my fault that time. I get very alert when these hidden folders appear again because it is the symptom before I lose majority of my Words and Excel documents last time.

This post has been edited by chiakwang: Dec 16 2009, 08:31 PM

i tell u what norton endpoint protection more suck
slow down computer 40% or above
norton product nowday all is worst

I have this feeling from my past experience.

Infact, I check several computers for this hidden files and they are not there. While I was using Kaspersky, the files are not there also. The first few days after restoration from the first virus attack also no such files. The pc is set to show all hidden files.

Only after the virus attack, I see these files immediately.

I hope you could give me some advice..........

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Added on December 16, 2009, 8:37 pmClicking 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' will result in ACCESS DENIED error........

Pls help...........

This post has been edited by chiakwang: Dec 16 2009, 08:37 PM

Those folders are not created by virus, my pc at home and in office, every drive also got these two folders, they are system folders created by windows to store the recycle bin files and system restoration files. The fact that you get access denied when clicking System Volume Information is because windows has protected that folder to deny you to access so you won't accidentally mess with the files inside.

Virus attack won't easily let you see the changes of files on harddrive. I believe your Norton IS is doing its job fine, it report no virus means no virus is in your computer. If you don't feel safe, try install another antivirus like Kaspersky, or Avira to scan again, I am sure no virus will be found also.

This post has been edited by alien0110: Dec 16 2009, 09:14 PM

I still think that it appear because of virus because in both my case, virus has been detected and the folders appeared immediately. Besides, Norton does not prompt any security risk until I run a scan, that also it was too late.

If these files were created by windows, why does some computers does not have it? Isn't all operating system should have the same system files? You can try re-installing windows and see if it is there. I have tried and I am very sure it is not there...

I also observe several times that when a completely clean external storage device is inserted, for the first few seconds, you will nener see these folders. But 5 seconds later, these folders suddenly appear. I suspect my pc is writing these files into the external drives. But, when the drive is inserted into a clean computer, no such files were observed....... This really make me headache.

I have been using Kaspersky for 1 year and I really observe these files and it is not there for the 1 whole year. Kaspersky also prompt me immediately when a thumb drive with virus was inserted.

These files are the symptoms before most of my important documents went corrupted by virus more than 1 year ago. Thats why I am now very careful with these files. I hope it will not happen again.........

My pc which was previously badly attacked by virus because I did not update the AVG database also show no virus after I update the AVG database. The virus could have prevented some scans...... After format and install Kaspersky, all scan on external hardisk shows virus........

Might go back to Kaspersky before too late.......... Wasted money on Norton but better be safe.....

This post has been edited by chiakwang: Dec 16 2009, 10:07 PM

For your information, for both window XP and window 7, all my drive partitions contain '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' folders.

You say re-installing windows can make those 2 hidden folders disappear most probably is due to the folder option as I mention before.

You need to un-tick 'Hide protected operating system files' and tick 'show hidden files' in your computer folder option in order to able to view those 2 hidden system folders.

If you still insist those 2 folders are virus that Norton cant detected, please go and use other antivirus. I'm pretty sure those 2 folders are still there regardless of what antivirus program that you used.

Again, I am very careful with these files.......

I set my folder option to show all hidden files immediately after format and reinstall windows.

I will list down my flow after hidden folder appear the first time:

1. Format hardisk
2. Install NIS 2010
3. Update NIS2010 database to the latest one
3. Set to show all hidden files
4. Restart pc several times to complete windows updates
5. Check for hidden Recycler and System Volume Info folder everyday - Non existent for more than 1 week. Everyday sure check several times one.
6. Insert friend's thumb drive after around 10 days of safe usage - Virus found after I manually run scan and scan was very slow.
7. hidden Recycler and System Volume Info folder appeared immediately.

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Added on December 17, 2009, 8:53 amUPDATE:

I finally found out that when I check 'Hide protected operating system files', those files disappeared. Thanks newbie4896 for that advice.

However, I am still very sure the virus had unchecked 'Hide protected operating system files'. Why does this happens?

Besides, Norton does not prompt any security risk while my thumb drive was inserted for more than 1 hour.

Virus was detected only when I manually run a virus scan. That virus scan was unusually long for 1 particular file - more than 15 minutes. After the detection of the virus, the settings in the folder options was altered.

That happened to both my case.

So, is it still harmful?

One of my pc at home still have those hidden files appearing and one day, one important folder in drive D: disappeared just like that...... What could be the cause?

This post has been edited by chiakwang: Dec 17 2009, 08:53 AM

that is normal behavior for the sillyFDC virus, one of the computers in my office got hit by it before through thumbdrive also. your "hide operating system files" will get unchecked when the virus hits and when it is cleaned this option is not reverted by Norton.

what is dissapointing is that Norton let this thing run crazy in the computer before deciding it is a threat. the virus changed about 15 registry entries and did a couple more things before Norton picked it up and undo the damage. it should kill the virus before it deos even anything, but that is not really the case. I wonder how other AV deals with w32.silyFDC.

Yup! I encountered the third attack by the same virus now.

I think Kaspersky might be faster in preventing the virus from executing any actions. I did not encounter any of these problems at all while using kaspersky and any virus are detected the moment an infected thumb drive is inserted.....

Yeah, I vote for Kaspersky!

i'm using NIS 2010, and still no problem.....
w32sillyFDC is common....and i think it should leave no problem for your computer....
tho i agree that Norton slows down your pc...

if you are unsure about certain virus, go here-www.threatexpert.com

NIS 2010 is a good antivirus...

i have been using norton for a year, and i never format my pc or had bad virus attack... i got 1 friend who use kaspersky, his laptop condemned by a virus once... what shud i say... just be more awake, its not hard to scan ur pendrive manually, and indeed norton has the auto scan feature, which does not pops out like kaspersky...

This post has been edited by captvizcenzo: Jan 22 2010, 12:56 AM

agreed!!!

the pop up screen is annoying... i believe that a good antivirus should do its work w/out prompting the users....

Well TC, as everyone had said, Recycler and System Volume Information folder are system folders. I installed kis 2009 last year and still have those folders.

Do not resist further, it only proves ignorance and taking-over-you paranoia

im other AV user, tht 2 things is not a virus..

i think the NIS is doing its job well.
i'm a NIS user for almost 1 year, and there is NO virus attacked my laptop.

in fact i feel NIS scanning is very sensitive and good. there was once that i scanned my thumb drive with my bro pc (running on kaspersky) it detected a few viruses. then i perform a 2nd time scan with NIS it detected more viruses that is hidden.

and the 2 files that u mention i think its normal to have it as i check Win XP, Vista and 7 also have the same thing.

hurmm...
i think norton protection is quite good from my experience...
the only think i hate is....
it SLOW DOWN the computer...

i only need 1 point the ignore NIS,,,
i'm using mcAfee now....

for those $recycle folder..
from my ponit of view, it's not a virus..
it's maybe a virtual recycle bin or a virus vault...
which all infected file were copy there for quarantine...
it's was made hidden so u couldn't easily access it...
that the point....

my 2 cent..

Which Norton version are you referring to?

I had never face this kind of problem (touch wood) with my 3 years subscribtion with NIS

The folders you've mentioned are OS protected files. You shouldn't be seeing them and they are part of Windows. For instance if i use a mac and you use my thumb drive , you'll see a hidden . folders (i.e .DS_STORE). These are unique to MacOS X and in other OSes which does not obey the . Folder rules , it gets shown (for instance in windows , in linux it still hides the folder)

Anyhow this is why i do recommend people to get a sandbox as well to go together with the whole thing

im bored and fed up with the '$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION'.
reformat the laptop and then use the KIS 2010. problem resolved.
more over, NIS 2010 makes the laptop slower compared to KIS.

Hello mfa_145,
To address your comments, 'RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' are both Windows systems folders.

The 'RECYCLER' folder refers to your recycle bin & the 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' folder stores all your system restore files. Unless you know what you're doing within Windows, tinkering with both folders is a no no.

And the reason why you think you have resolved your problem is because upon reformatting your PC and installing Windows, Windows hides those folders by default.

Don't believe me ? To view the folders, under Windows Explorer, go to Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab and click on show hidden files and folders + uncheck the option of Hide Protected operating System Files.

Just FYI, there is a threat by the name of Recycler.exe which is an executable file; it's easy to understand why there are users out there who easily gets confused.

As for performance of both security softwares, it's only fair if you recreate the same performance testing environment for both AVs. This means, you reformat your machine, install Windows, install AV #1 and test the boot time, load time, scan time, etc. Then, you do the same thing again for AV #2. Since you might find it time consuming, that's why there are professional testing labs worldwide dedicated to provide users with non-biased testing results.

Also, in the real world, it wouldn't be fair if i were to take a Ferrari & Lamborghini and test both their top speeds; the Ferrari at Sepang race track (no traffic referring to a newly formatted PC) and the Lamborghini at Jalan Tun Razak (congested road referring to a PC that has installed+uninstalled many softwares previously), would it ?


Regards,
Jason Mok
Norton from Symantec

NIS 2010 is a very good antivirus, in fact, I think it's better than kaspersky. You're just not used to it using a new anti-virus. NIS has a bad name in malaysia thanks to u guys who don't understand how the system works and pass the bad news to the others.

Perhaps TS jump to conclusion without researching 1st.that's just too bad.Recycler and System Volume Information folders appears in every primary and logical drive u own.

I've been using NIS 2010 for a couple of months and been very satisfied with it.It's so much better than it's previous versions.lighter and faster.

Yes, people always complaint that NIS make pc very slow due to file too heavy... But I really dont think so

ur a noob in pc..pls google for more info on that files u mentioned

Hoho bro, dont say like that lar, maybe he is new

'$RECYCLER' and 'SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION' is not a virus.. It's part from system file folder...But some files are detected as a virus by some AV..,just beware of any AV used on ur pc & make sure it's really up to date + really reliable...

i used norton for past couple of years..
i am satisfied with norton but i dont feel that norton make your computer heavier..

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Added on August 24, 2010, 10:54 am+1

I used various AV software before. I only satisfy with Norton products so far.

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Added on August 24, 2010, 10:56 am


This post has been edited by alvin8866: Aug 24 2010, 10:56 AM

people keep saying NIS will slowdown the pc and all...

but ive been using for almost a year...my laptop has never got slower at all also..even in gaming sessions...

some people has a closed-mindset over Norton past-products kua...

i agree with NIS 2010.
quite powerful n VERY user-friendly unlike other competitor.
but, it kind frustrated when it block some file without noticing..
anyway its good

Yup, it will delete some files without prompting user verification but that can be set at the user control panel. I used NIS since 2009 and it has worked very well for me. I switched from Kaspersky because KIS keeps on prompting unwanted notifications.
NIS: Silent protector.

Yup...
Norton rely makes my pc getting damn slow...
Kaspersky is the best...^^
cheers

reversed situations for me, KIS 2011 slowed my laptop down, while NIS 2011 doing fine.

:s

Well 2011 now rocks.. where as 2009/2010 sux for norton..
Kasperksy?
v6-7 OK
2009 LAGGING when open big files
2010 slow startup everything block include garena zzz.... damn slow scan...
2011 friends computer BSODed when gaming.... WOW

Norton 2008 -LAG LIKE SHIT
Norton 2009 -LAG better than 08 but still lag
Norton 2010 -New SONAR and new stuff LAGGED the whole thing again
Norton 2011 -Amazingly light and easy on low resources especially on mum's ION box, last time lag a bit more with Avast.

I used ESET AV v4 (2008-2010) then switched to Avast free then now Norton 2011...

Free: Avast (its at least not gonna detect everything as virus like avira)
Paying: Norton 2011 NOT 2010... You can 'upgrade' older norton to newer if you have the "remaining subscription days"

The thing I dislike Norton is updates are HUGE... especially initial update and if you do not have internet more than 6-9 days...

Why you choose to pay the money and come here to complaint?

If you choose to pay, then please don't complaint.

Norton is famous in Slow.
Slow updates.
Slow reaction to crisis.
Slow down your computer.
Slow down your Internet.

Please see the following reference,

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...19123609AAgVXCL
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/664786
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_Norton_make...r_computer_slow

The thing about the links you gave were, they were all fanboy/hate answers. None of them provide proof or details. E.G. (From your Wiki Answers link):



Weak grammar, not much info and plain hate. This is a non-constructive answer. Same goes to the Mozilla thread that you linked to.

Here's a table by av-test.org, a certified Anti-Virus test lab; http://www.av-test.org/certifications.

As you can see, Norton achieved almost-perfect scores compared to other competitors. Tallying up the marks, Norton scored the highest with the score of 16 with PC Tools Internet Security coming in second with the score 15.5.

In the report here; http://www.av-test.org/reports/2010q3/avte...ntec_103505.pdf , Symantec scored a perfect 100 for Malware detection across the three testing months. In those three testing months, Norton only had two false alarms, while the industry average is 5. And the slowdown score was only 157 seconds.

Let's compare withKaspersky's report:
Perfect 100 with malware detection
5 false alarms
219 seconds in slowdown.

Results are clear, IMHO. I only took three points which to me was important. Other else, please read the reports.

Refer to the av-test link I gave you and you'll be ashamed. McAfee is not a certified AV.

The report states that although in terms of slowdown it scored 52, the protection aspect is where McAfee lacked.

With only 57, 76 and 54 percent for its protection against 0-day malware, coupled with 25% for malware blocking, that is why McAfee is weak.

All else, please read the website I gave you.


This post has been edited by afif95: Dec 3 2010, 11:53 AM

Agreed Mcafee is terribly weak.... I have seen computers with Mcafee "TOTAL SECURITY" crap with spread autorun viruses to my thumbdrives...... for real.... and it also slowed down my mum's new computer which thankfully only came with the 'trial' version. Norton 09/10 were a bit tough on older PCs. But 2011 is really FAST...

I going to buy NIS 2011, and my PC juz got 2GB RAM (DDR2 800). is that enuff to support NIS 2010? I juz worry it cant afford since now RAM usage reach 37% with MSN and without any programme running.

IF cant afford, i'm going to add 1 more 2GB RAM to my PC.

From my Task Manager, the app uses about 10 MB RAM only. But it would be best if you upgrade. For RAM cases, moar is better.

So all here using NIS 2011? Any1 doing any malware test on it?

my personal experience, for 2010 i used KIS. It's really make my laptop slow. Then i try the 30 days trial NIS. Really fast compare to the KIS.

no u just noob..norton the best

norton seems to be doing fine.. I install it in my laptop and it was ok. last time people said bad things bout it but now i think it change, it improve

Was about to reply but you've answered it all quite well! My personal suggestion is to read non biased AV reports like http://www.av-test.org/certifications and not just trust any Tom, d*** & Harry links that may be hate/biased links! Compare & then decide for yourself what AV best suits you! Some people are fans of Norton, Kapersky, Eset & many others for their own reasons & some swear by them! End of the day it's your PC's & your personal data's safety is at stake! I've used most of the known freeware AVs but have learned my lesson (PC needed to be formated & reinstalled due to virus attack!) & migrated to 1st McAfee, then Eset but now Norton 360 v5 based on my personal requirements!

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Added on May 13, 2011, 12:54 amThey've improved in terms of speed of installation, low resource required as compared to before & user friendly! This post has been edited by klguy: May 13 2011, 12:54 AM

i am also using norton internet security,
so far so good.

if you feel your com is lagging you can always on silent mode.

This post has been edited by RubikFan: May 21 2011, 07:23 PM

The new one is nice. You should try. Lite