"manually scan any downloaded files before running them".....I'm pretty sure most worthy downloader software allows you to configure for an automatic AV file scan immediately following completion of a download. I know Norton did and I can confirm AVG does as well. Installed the latter last May and have seen no problems with Star Downloader.Mike

Alright, I uninstalled everything Norton from my machine. I installed a new lightweight AV and firewall. I didn't do any true benchmarks, so these are just observations:-Computer starts up faster now. The time between when the desktop first appears and everything loads is much faster now (almost no delay). That was to be expected.-In FS2004, I loaded up Seattle with the FSD Seneca. Seattle has always been a little slow on my computer. Performance was for sure a little smoother, although nothing huge. I seemed to have a lot less stutters, especially around AI traffic. I have to do a lot more testing before I say anything for sure, but it seems better. I have to do more testing in weather especially.

Thanks Greg:I did not realize there was a new beta out. I believe that fixes me up.Thanks again:RTH

Correct, autosave does cause stuttering, especially using real weather (when your WX files can get up to 3MB in size). You can configure autosave's save interval using the autosave.cfg file in your main FS9 directory. Change the "Interval" key in the "User" section to the number of seconds between autosaves (e.g. Interval=600 will save every 600 seconds / 10 minutes).Marc

Hi, The best free antis virus is avast, the avg it's the payware version 7 that's is good, the avg freeware version is less accurrate and less updated then avast you will have missed virus, NOD32 payware is supurior than above. Norton Anti-virus is not good anymore on virus protection, norton it's the most attacked by hacker and less powerfull on protection compare to couple of years before, you can have virus not detected or even hidden with a scan, also it's a ressource hit compare to others if you do the test correctly, alot of trouble for nothing.These test have been made on many situation with differents virus type. ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

I am lucky. All of my email is scanned by my ip provider using Postini. And I have a Linksys router that protects me from outsiders.Plus I am careful about where I download -- Never have had a problem with AVSIM or Flightsim. We do scan other downloads with NAV.But, I still have stutters near the airport .. 1.2ghz 512 and ATI9600. But I can live with it till I get a new machine.Regards,BobShttp://s95171098.onlinehome.us/junk/aopa.jpgSeems the rage to talk about the "size and speed" of each others computer. Beat this if you can for solving novel/unique problem anywhere in the cosmos. ..Have K&E and know how to use it!

Interesting thread,I also have been using Norton for years and I noticed the past years the program is getting huge and huge using a lot of my PC resources, so and I have a question for those using NOD32,is it really safe compared to NAV?What about updates,virus definitions,etc.?I use Norton Internet Security,the Kerio Firewall you guys mentioned is the Kerio Personal Firewall?,if so how is it compared to Norton?Thanx for any input,Hamilton

Yes, I have the same questions as Hamilton. I use NAV and from reading this thread, it seems like I should dump it. I use MS Outlook Express for my email and like the way Norton filters out all the spam. Do any of these do that?Now, what is better (I could care less if I have to pay for it):Antivirus: NOD32 or Avast?Firewall: Kerio or keep Norton's?Also, could you guys post some links to Avast and Kerio, I found NOD32. Many thanks for any inputs on this very intersting subject.

I would say NOD32 is way better than NAV, in fact, I liked NOD32 so much, that I stripped NAV off all my networked PC's at work, 10 in all, and replaced it by NOD32.I think I am right in saying that NOD32 is the only AV never to have been caught out by an "in the wild" virus.Dan.

What about firewalls then?

Thanx Dan,I

Hell, I wouldn't trade Norton for anything. I have never had problems with it and it always catches viruses. I use 2003 right now.

Had Norton pre-installed in this PC. Awful program - kept crashing the PC so uninstalled it ASAP.AVG is rubbish IMO. Does not detect some viruses so removed that as well after 3 months.Now using TREND Pc-Cillin. Best Anti-virus + Firewall program I have found and it's free for 6 months. TREND also make professional office security programs so its a good company. I want to purchase it now but cannot seem to order online (U.S only?!)Hope this helpsRegardsAdam

I am using Kaspersky AV Personal and it seems to be the one winning all kinds of AV protection tests consistantly where the others mentioned Norton, NOD, AVG seems to lack a bit behind.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned "Antivir persanal edition" IMHO the best freeware antivirus out there. Uses the smallest resources of any virus program I've seen and it's caught more viruses than AVG or Avast. I personally thought Avast was a resource hog. I swear by Antivir. Do a google search for it or I know it can be found at www.majorgeeks.comGuy