Am I protected when using Firefox over Explorer?
 

I'm not a techy. So I need some expertise here. I installed Norton Anti-Virus software on my PC. When I use Explorer, it is apparent that the anti-virus protection is "on" but when I use Firefox, it is not. Does this mean that I am only protected when I use Explorer?
I had MacAfee installed for Firefox but it was really slowing down the computer, so I de-installed it. Am I flying without a net (pardon the pun) here? I prefer to use Firefox, but not if it means exposing myself to viruses.

Please advise.

your antivirus should still detect any VIRUS downloaded by any browser wether it's IE or FF. but seriously, why do you need an anti-virus for browsing? the thing i worry the most about is getting a FIREWALL and a good spyware/adware detector cleaner. if you tend to get many emails and you worry, then get a software that can scan your email too.

this is what i run and i haven't had a virus since this setup has been on.I'm sure someone else will come in and give some better info. haha

Yes, Firefox is still covered by the anti virus. if you are just a basic user, you want to run an anti virus. Norton integrating with internet explorer is just a misnomer, it's a marketing gimic. when your subscription for Norton runs out, I'd recommend switching to AVG, it's free, and light weight.

you are still covered using Firefox.

Thanks!!!

Some people are more vulnerable to this than others. Generally speaking, anything that uses Flash is a potential way to get viruses into your computer. Some people frequently visit sites that contain a lot of flash and java plug-ins and such, so virus-protected browsing is a definite concern. If you don't even have flash or java installed and visit mostly text pages, then you probably aren't too vulnerable to viruses unless you download and run them.

not true, any web page can theoretically be taken over and be made to contain malicious code and if you don't know what you are doing, you can be bit, it's better to run $30 of software then pay some person $30 an hour to remove it. Firefox is pretty good about not executing things it shouldn't but there are always security flaws.

IE is like doin it bareback.

Firefox is like doin it with a condom.

Either way, you can still get a virus. Your chances are just slimmer when having safe browsing.

oh and also, make sure that if you want to use norton or mcafee or any other "pay" antivirus, well make sure you purchase a new copy every year. don't just upgrade it. The problem with the upgrades is that it only brings the new virus definitions and not new virus infection method. for example, for a long time, it was just scanning virus and trojans but now, the new ones will scan for spyware, adware and the new rootkits.

You're already ahead of the game when using FireFox. I'd use Norton or AVG antivirus (not both) and ad-aware plus spybot search and destroy. A combination of those with the windows firewall turned on will pretty much guarantee you won't get infected with any spyware or adware, much less viruses.

The last time we used AVG our computer totally crashed and the techy who came to fix it said to NEVER use AVG, so it seems opinions are mixed on that one. However, all that has been said thus far is incredibly useful.
Thanks.

AVG has been great for me. i think that techy was just looking for something to blame. just about any program that you install on the computer can go bad and cause a crash. just one of those things.

Make sure you have a good firewall i have recently started using comodo after switching from zone alarm and im pretty pleased with it.

If your real paranoid you could get the noscript extension for firefox but at the very least get adblock plus. thats worth while for sure.

If worst comes to worst... and you do get a virus or trojan or something annoying on your computer like that just come to this happy little forum and tell everyone your problems. I personaly almost get a kick out of getting a virus. gives me something to do with my spare time. but.. i dont have anything important at risk on my computer. Most likely someone will be willing to help you figure out how to get rid of whatevers on the computer if a simple antivirus cant do it.

ok, was it the techy from the store? "yes, you should buy this one from us. it's the 400$ norton crap."

on the 6 or 7 or more, -cant remember- computers i've personally installed AVG on, none of them has ever been infected by a virus. They are all running top notch. I don't know what else to say.

just use kaspersky and zone alarm pro and have a nice sleep! u can also spybot snd(freeware) for some extra protection

the only issue I've ever seen with AVG was with an old version of Roxio, there is a conflict with the hook that AVG uses and the roxio burning rom... long story short, AVG warns you when you are attempting to install it, and points you to the patch, only if you don't install the patch does it hose your system, and even after that, you can revert to the last known good configuration and be back ready to go.

An interesting read - thanks to everyone who contributed for imparting a bit of knowledge to us non-tech guys. ;)

I would take dilbert's advice over some help desk reject getting paid to sell you one some software that he likes because it is all he knows. Just an fyi

awww thanks :*

AVG has been stellar for me so far. I have used garbage (strictly my opinion) from Norton, and other big ones out there that slip my mind in years past and happily dropped those a loooong time ago.
noscript is a wonderful/essential extension in my opinion and has me actually using Firefox more than Opera the past few months. I like the weather forecast and greasemonkey ones as well.