Internet security / antivirus software

Mark__H

My current 12 month internet security/anti virus package with Norton (Security Deluxe - 5 device)  is shortly due to expire and I’m now getting regular reminders to renew. It's currently used on Windows 10 PC, Windows 10 laptop, Windows 7 laptop and an Android tablet.
Whilst I’m very happy with the product, from what I’ve read all Norton products going forward now need a credit/debit card or paypal account to ‘activate’ a new subscription and automatically enrol you in their (expensive) auto renewal system.
I’ve read that you can subsequently unsubscribe from auto renewal but nevertheless I’m not really inclined to give out my bank card details in the first place and also (as a matter of principal) if I purchase a new 1 year subscription I find it unethical that they wont activate it without me providing my card information. It really should be for me to ‘opt in’ to auto renewal rather than for them to force me to hand over payment information for future years, and then for me to have to ‘opt out’.
I understand that McAfee, who I’ve also used previously, may now have the same policy.  
I have found a decent purchase price for the latest Norton product but the whole process just doesn’t sit right with me.
Are there any other credible alternatives or options out there?   

RumRat

You don't need anything except the built in Windows defender on your W10 devices. You need nothing on your Android tablet, Upgrade your W7 laptop easily for free.....Stop worrying and save your money....

AndyPix

Mark__H said:

Are there any other credible alternatives or options out there?   

Yes - as above - Ditch that horror right now.

The inbuild defender within W10 is great - and YOU DO NOT NEED ANY AV ON A TABLET OR PHONE !!

Upgrade the W7 machine to W10 and you are good to go

debitcardmayhem

IF you want to stay with norton it's your choice, and whilst agreeing with the above you can buy it here https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073J57PHW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for less than £18 and no need for cc details.

edit bad link

It cost me £17.99 for 10 when I purchased it for a family member last thursday for 10 devices .... huh....

grumpycrab

Lots of praise for Windows10 Defender.  One thing it doesn't have is a malicious webite detector.  Feeling brave?  Click this link (at own risk blah blah blah) but most people here will have seen this example before...    http://www.googl.co.uk

If you're sticking with Defender I'd suggest mcafee webadvisor.  Yes, horror.  https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-gb/store/m0/catalog/mwad_528/mcafee-web-advisor.html

Free AVs with checker built in (at time of writing) are avast and avg (but not Panda for some reason).
EDIT: oh, and I forget to mention one of the best AVs... Bitdefender free
https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

Mark__H

Thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately, for reasons I can't quite recall, the W7 laptop wasn't able to upgrade to W10 at the time when I did upgrade my PC to W10. Got a feeling it  may have been a hard disk space issue (despite clearing out as many unnecessary files as possible).  
….and I've not got the technical savvy to even begin to go down the re-partition of the HD as I think a friend suggested at the time. 

Frozen_up_north

Your Win 7 computer is running on borrowed time and no AV will stop malicious software causing problems in the future. Security is like layers of an onion, having  a fully patched and up to date operating system is one layer, as is an up to date AV. For example, note the serious problems caused to health organisations, and many other businesses, by having AV but not keeping the rest of their software patched and up to date. Clearly an individual isn’t such an attractive target for those with malicious intent, but is still at risk.

Regarding paid for vs free AV, clearly paying for a package gives additional features, otherwise nobody would buy them. As to whether they offer something of value is a personal choice. Cost per device is around £6/year (Bitdefender 5 device, one off discount purchase), which is the cost of a couple of pints of beer per installation.

As others mentioned, Win 10 has pretty effective built in protection.

Mark__H

Frozen_up_north said:

Cost per device is around £6/year (Bitdefender 5 device, one off discount purchase), which is the cost of a couple of pints of beer per installation.

Totally understand where you're coming from.
Just to be clear - I have no problem with paying, say, £30 for 5 device AV protection. My issue is that if I pay for that that protection 'up front', I don't see why I should have to then hand over my card details (in the case of Norton) to activate the product. 

JJ_Egan

Dont use Norton then .

Never ever had to hand over card details my self .

Guess its so as Norton can auto renew.