Anti-Virus

[shazzabell]

On starting my computer the past few times I get a balloon message saying my anti-virus protection is turned off and my computer may be at risk. I'm wondering how this has happened as I thought anti-virus was 'always on'? (I use Norton)

[Mobius1]

By default, Norton AntiVirus enables "auto-protect" (the system which continously monitors your PC in the background) at startup. However, it is possible that this has been disabled for some reason. To ensure that this isn't the case, open Norton AV and go to "Options". Look through the menus and find a checkbox that tells it to start auto-protect on system startup (or similar) and make sure it's checked.

If it is, and Norton AV still isn't starting up when you boot up your PC, post back here. You can tell when Norton AV is active, because there should be an icon in your system tray (next to the system clock). On newer versions this is a small yellow circle with a stethoscope in it, and older versions a small computer symbol.

[jno]

that started happening to me too - it's supposed to auto-start and doesn't. If you right-click on the little icon it should say 'enable auto-protect'; click on that.

[shazzabell]

Hi Mobius1, I checked the 'options' and the box was ticked, but it's still disabled on start up. Should I reinstall Norton?

[shazzabell]

Gosh Jno, I hadn't noticed your post. I suppose it's easily rectified then, but I'm wondering how it's happened.

[Mobius1]

Before you decide whether you want to try re-installing the program. Have you or anybody who uses your PC recently installed any new software? Have you made any changes to the startup programs of your system? Also, have you installed any new hardware or related device drivers?

[jno]

not so easy -  have to do it every flaming time I log on, shazzabell. Not really hard, just a nuisance, and once in a while I realise I've forgotten and have visions of viruses overwhelming me.

[shazzabell]

Hi Mobius1, I've installed quite a bit of new software recently. Do you think this is the culprit? Will I be stuck, like Jno?

[Mobius1]

Not necessarily no. If you've installed new sound software or drivers, Norton AV is known to often not like them very much. I had this exact problem when I installed drivers for my Creative Audigy ZS soundcard.

What I recommend doing is uninstalling Norton Antivirus completely, going to http://www.symantec.com/symnrt and downloaded the SymNRT tool (this only applies if you're using the 2005 version, another tool from the same page can be used for earlier versions). Running the tool (to get rid of all traces of the program) and then re-installing it afresh.

Also, when installing it, I recommend clean booting your PC (which means loading it up with as few programs as possible) just for installing it, so as to help prevent any conflicts whilst it installs. You can do this by clicking Start > Run > typing "msconfig" without quotes > Under "Selective Startup" uncheck Startup Items and use the Services tab to uncheck all non-Microsoft services. Then reboot. To return the boot process to normal, simply do the same again but check the "Normal Startup" box.

[shazzabell]

Mobius1, I really appreciate your help. Unfortunately I'm a computer novice, and I'm afraid of mucking up, so I've been in contact with my brother, who's a bit of a pro, and he says he'll have a look. I'll be showing him your post anyway and until then I'll just keep turning it on manually at start up. Thanks again!