Internet security

moneyistooshorttomention

I installed Norton internet security on my computer last year and, on checking, find that the one I got is:

Norton Internet Security 21.0 - 1 Computer - 1 year (2014)

What I am wondering is if I can buy the exact same one again - ie 2014. Being down to they say how it "automatically updates" on the description of it, so I presume its okay for buying in 2015 iyswim.

A little insert came up saying they have a new version (2015) but I got confused by them saying its for Windows 8 and I have Windows 7 and I got the impression its a bit different all round, rather than just being identical to the one I need to replace but a 2015 one iyswim - so I'm not sure it would be right for my computer.

Or can I forget the whole thing and get just as good internet security for free and, if so, which "brand" would provide that please.

EDIT; The other thing that is confusing me is that I've had a little thing flash up a couple of times on my computer saying that my Norton subscription is about to expire "soon". They don't tell me when "soon" is and I cant figure out why it isn't telling me precisely how many days I have got left and if there is a way to find out.

victor2

Uninstall Norton and go for one of the freebies, or see if your bank offers a package like Kaspersky for free.
Avast! is one of the free ones that gets pretty good reviews, or you can go for Microsoft Security Essentials. That is reasonable and not too obtrusive or processor hungry.
I use MSE and once every few months run a manual scan with the free Malwarebytes. Works for me.

gjchester

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

What I am wondering is if I can buy the exact same one again - ie 2014. Being down to they say how it "automatically updates" on the description of it, so I presume its okay for buying in 2015 iyswim.

EDIT; The other thing that is confusing me is that I've had a little thing flash up a couple of times on my computer saying that my Norton subscription is about to expire "soon". They don't tell me when "soon" is and I cant figure out why it isn't telling me precisely how many days I have got left and if there is a way to find out.

Yes you can, but its often cheaper to buy a new boxed product in a store than update direct with Norton,

On the "home" page of the software look at the ABOUT section and it shoudl tell you the expiry date

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Or can I forget the whole thing and get just as good internet security for free and, if so, which "brand" would provide that please.

Norton is a "full service" package, it offers everything in one place and its user friendly, however its paid for. You can get free Anti Virus, anti spam, malware protection and so on.

The free software tend to be one aspect only and often manual run, rather than something that updates and check your system all the time. They are often cut down versions of the "full" product to try and encourage you to buy the full product.

If your confident with a PC then they may be a better chocie, but if your not Norton is a better choice as it is better at "hand holding" you through issues.

If you bank online with Barclays they will give you a 3 PC Kaspersky license

Fightsback

victor2 wrote: »

Uninstall Norton and go for one of the freebies, or see if your bank offers a package like Kaspersky for free.
Avast! is one of the free ones that gets pretty good reviews, or you can go for Microsoft Security Essentials. That is reasonable and not too obtrusive or processor hungry.
I use MSE and once every few months run a manual scan with the free Malwarebytes. Works for me.

Microsoft Security Essentials is not recommended as it has a very poor detection rate however it is better than nothing.

For further reading see here:

http://redmondmag.com/articles/2015/01/27/security-essentials-fails-antivirus-test.aspx

and here:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/windows-defender,review-2209.html

A few basic preventive security measures are always helpful:

1) Make sure all programs are up to date using something like Secunia PSI.

2) If you have java installed, get rid of it as the chances are you don't need it anyway.

3) Set up a separate PC user login account with standard user privileges only and use that while reserving the admin account for essential maintenance tasks and password privilege elevation for software installs. It's less convenient but a lot more secure.

4) Install an adblocker in your browser

5 ) Treat all emails as hostile unless proven otherwise.

6 ) Use strong and different passwords for login accounts to websites, email etc

7 ) Get a dog, burglars hate dogs.

GunJack

gjchester wrote: »

Norton is a "full service" package, it offers everything in one place and its user friendly, however its paid for.

There's not many packages LESS user-friendly than norton, it's a bit of a resource hog, and windows inbuilt firewall is perfectly adequate...

...why would you want to pay for it ??

avira or avast free a/v, win firewall, and mbam manual scan now'n'again......that'll do you

Browntoa

2nd what Gunjack says........

why pay

gjchester

GunJack wrote: »

There's not many packages LESS user-friendly than norton, it's a bit of a resource hog, and windows inbuilt firewall is perfectly adequate...

Depends on your level of knowledge and comfort. Norton has a nice interface, reasonable phone support and while it used to be a resource hog its no worse that anything else now.

There are more feature in than you may use (AntiSpam, Web site reputation checking, phishing protection etc) but for many people the convenience of all product in one, and always on (not having to remember to do manual scan) is worth the cost. Its also good when you have folks using the computer that may not be as savvy as you, and while you may recognise a bad email or site they may not and click regardless.

If you know what you are doing then I agree there are other cheaper (or free) ways, but if you want an all in one simple to use system then Norton is no better or worse than any of the big brand suites.

Symantec

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I installed Norton internet security on my computer last year and, on checking, find that the one I got is:

Norton Internet Security 21.0 - 1 Computer - 1 year (2014)

What I am wondering is if I can buy the exact same one again - ie 2014. Being down to they say how it "automatically updates" on the description of it, so I presume its okay for buying in 2015 iyswim.

A little insert came up saying they have a new version (2015) but I got confused by them saying its for Windows 8 and I have Windows 7 and I got the impression its a bit different all round, rather than just being identical to the one I need to replace but a 2015 one iyswim - so I'm not sure it would be right for my computer.

Or can I forget the whole thing and get just as good internet security for free and, if so, which "brand" would provide that please.

EDIT; The other thing that is confusing me is that I've had a little thing flash up a couple of times on my computer saying that my Norton subscription is about to expire "soon". They don't tell me when "soon" is and I cant figure out why it isn't telling me precisely how many days I have got left and if there is a way to find out.

Current Norton products are compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. No need to worry about. You can find more details on our site. I cannot get you the price details as that would be against the forum rules.

Vineeth
Norton Support

Oblivion

Symantec wrote: »

Current Norton products are compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. No need to worry about. You can find more details on our site. I cannot get you the price details as that would be against the forum rules.

Vineeth
Norton Support

Hello Vineeth. You might not want to disclose price details but this is a money saving site. Perhaps you could explain why it is Symantec's policy to charge an annual online renewal fee which is far in excess of the cost of buying the product afresh with a new product key at sites like Amazon.


I'm not a Norton basher, I love the product, but your renewal pricing policy is quite simply appalling and it's been like that for years.

gjchester

Oblivion wrote: »

Perhaps you could explain why it is Symantec's policy to charge an annual online renewal fee which is far in excess of the cost of buying the product afresh with a new product key at sites like Amazon.

I agree but its simple economics and Supply and demand.

If you buy 10,000 units of a product at at time like Amazon, PCWorld etc do no doubt Symantec will be willing to offer you a large discount.

All the big companies do is passing on the savings they make to sell more units, they make less per unit but sell more units overall.

In effect its no different to many other places like insurance, utilities, TV, Phone where you tend to pay more if you renew with the same provider unless you shop around.

Oblivion

gjchester wrote: »

I agree but its simple economics and Supply and demand.

If you buy 10,000 units of a product at at time like Amazon, PCWorld etc do no doubt Symantec will be willing to offer you a large discount.

All the big companies do is passing on the savings they make to sell more units, they make less per unit but sell more units overall.

In effect its no different to many other places like insurance, utilities, TV, Phone where you tend to pay more if you renew with the same provider unless you shop around.

Yes I do understand that, but it does make me wonder how many customers Symantec lose each year because they baulk at the online renewal cost and are too lazy to look for an alternative renewal path.

I think Symantec are shooting themselves in the foot with this over-pricing renewal policy and it doesn't take much to shake the loyalty of an established customer when they realise they are being taken for a fool.