Norton Security due for renewal

bsod

nor does paid for always mean good.

mse is a different case completely.

gjchester

bsod wrote: »

nor does paid for always mean good.

mse is a different case completely.

And again your reading far more into the words that what I had typed. Hence my earlier comment "Take a look at AV-Test.org The current Norton offering is very well rated, and while there are better A/V its very good at hand holding then end user if there is a problem"

The OP has previously used Norton and had reason to call them, and was satisfied with the outcome, if you want that kind of service you need to use one of the big companies, and yes it cost a little more.

Other posters said Norton is bloated and rubbish. Its no better or worse than any other AV, there are cheaper and lighter options, but if you want the same level of protection as the Standard Norton product you typically need a premium/super/plus version not the free versions. The Norton is a comprehensive package, they don't do any "lite" A/V only packages, and yes there may be some overkill for power users but for an inexperienced user its a good choice.

Is it expensive, not really when compared like for like, the premium products from all A/V vendors come in around the same £25 to £40 price point, and often they are discounted by the likes of PCworld. A/V is a commodity market these days not a optional extra.

Fightsback

What amuses me about all the AV hullabaloo is that people will load themselves up with security solutions but forget one of the cheapest (free) security mitigation things you can do with windows which is to run as a standard user and not as admin.

jeallen01

To get back to (IIRC) the OP's question about cost - see this page for some comparative prices:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Kaspersky


That shows not only Kaspersky but also some BitDefender options, where you can cover 1 PC or other device for <£20.


BTW: Where possible I would always get the CD/DVD version of any completely new AV (or other) important programme as that would then allow you to reload it with the least problems in the future if you have to. Not having that was the reason I ran into issues with Norton many years ago - I had upgraded to a later downloaded version but had not kept the original disk, and so could not reload it when I had a major hard disk issue that caused me to reformat it. Norton/Symantec Customer Support were then just plain PBA and refused to give the option to download the version I needed, and so I left their camp FOREVER!)


OTOH if you don't get the CD/DVD version then save the first downloaded version to a place on your hard disk and then run it from there - so you always have that starter/Set-up File to try again if you need to in the future.

gjchester

Fightsback wrote: »

What amuses me about all the AV hullabaloo is that people will load themselves up with security solutions but forget one of the cheapest (free) security mitigation things you can do with windows which is to run as a standard user and not as admin.

Its a great idea, unfortunately many software vendors don't follow convention and try dropping files where a user may have limited access. Usually (but not always) caused by a "on the cheap" approach of re-packing software with a new installer FOR THE NEW os, but using old code not updating it and requiring admin as a get around. (and I'm looking at HP here!).

Do that enough times and users don't want the hassle and just run in Admin mode, or they never cared and leave it in default admin mode.

bsod

Oldbiggles wrote: »

For the last couple of years I have used the Free version of Avast which seems to work quite well. I originally had Norton and had no difficulty in deleting it from my computer. I occasionally also run Malware bytes (which is also free) just to see if Avast has missed anything.

After all this site is trying to promote money saving and I take this very seriously.

worth quoting, as it may get lost amongst the sales patter.

Lumstorm

Fightsback wrote: »

What amuses me about all the AV hullabaloo is that people will load themselves up with security solutions but forget one of the cheapest (free) security mitigation things you can do with windows which is to run as a standard user and not as admin.

This is always the case I saw somewhere that if they ran as admin over 90% of problems would be avoided. I also notice that the people on forums who have problems such as hijackers and redirects, all seem to use anti-virus that did them no good when they choose to install the malware.

You don't need to pay for anti-virus, you need to change your bad habits.

Susan1942

I have sort of chickened out and gone for the Norton their new updated version .
It covers 5 items I bought it as I could use it for my Hudl and I suppose my phone if I wanted to.
I used the CHAT facility and the person did it remotely for me I however noted what was happening and I have successfully added it to my desktop and my Hudl.
I paid £39 99 but for me it is worth it for the peace of mind. I could have had the option of the Norton 360 again at £29 99 for 3 computers. I decided to spend the extra and cover the Tablet. I am not that computer literate and tend to be very fearful about viruses. I am even more scared of my details being accessed
I appreciate that there are a lot of products out there which are less expensive
As a number of you said I had no problem with uninstalling the 360.
Thank you all for giving me the confidence to do this.
Another question The new products took me on a tour. I note I have got identify protection. There is also a facility for setting I think and storing Passwords
I am wondering if you would recommend this of discourage it. I use several passwords but the same one on several sites
I don't write them down anywhere so tend to forget or mix them up occasionally
Views would be appreciated.
Again as ever many many thanks for all the input.
Sue

gjchester

Susan1942 wrote: »

I have sort of chickened out and gone for the Norton their new updated version .

A?V are very similar in their basic operation, some are better than others for not so computer literate users.

Its no help now, but when PC World do their usual Xmas sale on Norton you may want to buy the same package (ie same no of devices for a year), you then keep the code and enter it when your expires. May help save some money on next years renewal.

Susan1942 wrote: »

There is also a facility for setting I think and storing Passwords
I am wondering if you would recommend this of discourage it. I use several passwords but the same one on several sites
I don't write them down anywhere so tend to forget or mix them up occasionally
Views would be appreciated.

Ideally you have a separate strong password for each site.

Consider this, if your Amazon password is exposed by a hack or a mistake, then would they also be able to make a guess at your Facebook & Ebay password by simply using the same username/ emails and password combo anywhere else.

Also in an ideal world all web sites are secure and take care of your password by keeping it will encrypted and not easily hacked however that's not the case.

Back in the real world we tend not to remember many passwords, so need some way to remember them and a password manager (or even a notebook, as long as you keep it safe at home) is the best way to achieve that.

Fightsback

gjchester wrote: »

Its a great idea, unfortunately many software vendors don't follow convention and try dropping files where a user may have limited access. Usually (but not always) caused by a "on the cheap" approach of re-packing software with a new installer FOR THE NEW os, but using old code not updating it and requiring admin as a get around. (and I'm looking at HP here!).

Do that enough times and users don't want the hassle and just run in Admin mode, or they never cared and leave it in default admin mode.

Can't remember the last time I had an issue with that but games manufacturers are the worst offenders I believe. As old code falls by the wayside hopefully this will become standard practice, it's a lot easier to run as a standard user than it used to be pre W7.