Internet security

ellectrastar

I have had Norton 360 on subscription for years. I used to buy a new one each year but got lax and let it roll on subsription. I realised that it was giving me the option to add more than one device, and since I don't need this it led me to check what they charged me and I then realised it was a rather eye-watering amount!


Any suggestions for either another Norton (as 360 is obsolete now (although kept on through subs)) or alternative anti-virus package?


Norton 360 currently gives me anti-virus and identity protection, an option to back up my data, and has performance tools, so looking for something similar. I could probably lose the performance tools bit as I can do that through Windows anyway.


Thanks!

Browntoa

Windows own backup software and antivirus software are more than adequate.

Or back up to Google drive and photo

AndyPix

Uninstall norton completely ( you may need an uninstall tool to do this as it burries its self so deep in all areas of your computer)


Performance tools are snake oil - not worth a carrot
Backing up is as simple as copy and paste


I would normally just advise windows own built in AV, but for someone such as yourself, you may get initial "withdrawal symptoms" due to not having a big flash UI to waste cpu power -
So in your case, I would advise you use Bitdefender Free , found here :-


https://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/free.html


Make sure to uninstall Norton completely first though - having more than one AV solution on your machine will lead to heartburn

ellectrastar

I know whenever I click the icon for Norton it can take an age to come up. It is an older computer and I switched hard drives halfway through it's life so far to speed it up, but could getting rid of Norton also make it go a bit faster?


You're probably right - I am in the mindset of needing something to run scans etc with. I would say I'm overly paranoid but in this day and age people get up to all sorts of things so I don't think you can be too careful.

giraffe69

With Windows defender you can run a scan whenever you wish. worth saying that although Defender is good for Windows 10 it was not as good with earlier Windows versions e.g. XP and 7.

AndyPix

yeah you can run scans with all AV's but bitdefender will most likely fill that hole that norton has left a bit better for you ..


As for performance - god yes - your machine will run MUCH better with out that horror installed ..


To get it to tip top shape, once you have uninstalled Norton , before you install bitdefender , download and run these two tools in order.


https://www.malwarebytes.com/


and then


https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/


Bet you notice a whole world of difference

that

Not sure it has changed, but I would say do not uninstall Norton via add/remove software, but go to their site and download an application to uninstall norton

just make sure you have not missed the auto payment box when you signed up for it on line, or via pc world etc, as the money will continue to magically disappear from your bank account in the form of yearly payments

EveryWhere

ellectrastar wrote: »

I know whenever I click the icon for Norton it can take an age to come up. It is an older computer and I switched hard drives halfway through it's life so far to speed it up, but could getting rid of Norton also make it go a bit faster?


You're probably right - I am in the mindset of needing something to run scans etc with. I would say I'm overly paranoid but in this day and age people get up to all sorts of things so I don't think you can be too careful.

If you really want to speed up your machine, you should swap your current mechanical disk drive for a solid state drive. You'll be amazed at the difference.

What is the brand name and model number of your device?

D_M_E

Before you do anything, log in to your Norton account and make sure it's not set to autorenew.
If it is, untick the box to stop autorenew.

Next, go to https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v60392881_EndUserProfile_en_us

and download and run their removal tool to get rid of it.

Gillor

Slightly off-topic but apropos Norton/Symantec, this article appeared in the Register 20th September…

NSS Labs has thrown a hand grenade into the always fractious but slightly obscure world of security product testing – by suing multiple vendors as well as an industry standards organisation.
Its lawsuit, filed in California this week against CrowdStrike, Symantec, ESET, and the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), has alleged no less than a conspiracy to cover up deficiencies in security tools.
These vendors not only knew of bugs in their code and failed to act, but they were “actively conspiring to prevent independent testing that uncovers those product deficiencies," NSS Labs claimed…
At the heart of the matter, NSS labs has accused the named security vendors of forging a pact to collectively boycott NSS – an independent test lab. Why? Well, if one of them avoided a test all others participated in then it looks bad, but if there’s a collective “no thanks,” then any opprobrium is avoided.

ellectrastar

EveryWhere wrote: »

If you really want to speed up your machine, you should swap your current mechanical disk drive for a solid state drive. You'll be amazed at the difference.

What is the brand name and model number of your device?

It's an extrememly old Acer Aspire X1300!


I don't even know what the difference between a mechanical and a solid state drive is, let alone swap one for the other!