anti virus software downloaded from att on laptop good when out of house using...

...another isp? getting first new laptop. Didn't get any anti virus software on it because have norton protection from att on home pc. Going to download it on laptop. Just wondering if this software is going to work if I get internet service thru someone else for laptop when out of house or if I use the hotspots.

I'd would recommend trying one of the free anti-virus programs, as I've looked at many anti-virus comparison test results and all of them show that Norton is very poor at detecting viruses in one test only detecting 68% of treats compared to AVG free which detected 83%.

If you want free anti-virus software then go with AVG 8.0 free edition, some people suggest Avira AntiVir which does have a good detection rate but is let down by very slow updates, the free version can take upto two hours to update, which makes AntiVir almost unusable.

Other people suggest Avast which has an outdated interface (Link below) and is poor at detecting viruses (pc pro labs test). http://www.download.com/3004-2239_4-1082...

AVG 8.0 is the best free anti-virus software its not perfect but has a nice interface, decent detection and quick updates. http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-...

Ad-aware is a useful free program run it once a week to clear obvious adware. http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_a...

I would recommend using the firefox web browser it is simple and easy to use and it blocks a lot of drive-by viruses that internet explorer would let through.

Proof that firefox is safer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3qxg0z6YQy...

I've tried other browsers like Opera (way too fussy and complicated to use) and Safari (too slow & and not as customizable), but firefox remains my main browser.

Download firefox: http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/

Install the McAfee SiteAdvisor add-on without it you are browsing blind you may want to disable AVG's linkscanner add-on as McAfee SiteAdvisor does the same thing but slightly better. http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Don't use Norton. It's no great loss. Use this free combination of programs (which will make your PC run faster than Norton, too):

Avira: http://www.free-av.com/ (if you don't have anti-virus, or if you have Norton or AVG replace it with this)
Spyware Terminator (turn off web security guard): http://www.spywareterminator.com/
Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/ (use immunise feature)
Superantispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
Comodo: http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/ (turn off defense+ to see fewer alerts)

It won't work, because ATT has a registry code for your specific computer.

If you download it on to a laptop, the laptop won't get the same features vs the computer. There 2 different units.

Best thing to do, is to contact ATT about getting a new norton service set up for your personal laptop; It will minimize all the trouble.

If you going to use the laptop a lot away from home, you should just purchase an onboard anti-virus.