Norton Anti Virus

[Johnnu2]

I have to renew my annual Norton subscription soon. When I call them on the phone, somehow, I always get a highly reduced price for the same subscription level that I have currently. I'm not techie, only email and go on car and gun forums and don't have a smart phone. Just wondering:
1) Is Norton worth the money (so far I've gotten away with about $60 per year for up to 10 'devices' and they've kept that price for me for many years)?
2) Do you recommend something else that is as good?
If you can help, please keep it simple :-)
THANKS,
J.

 

[vito]

I get Norton free because of my cable TV/internet/land line package from Comcast so I let it run. One of my sons used to be a computer forensic specialist for a state's Attorney General's office, and he did not feel that any of these services really were necessary. He said the free Microsoft Defender software worked just as well as the paid service. Years ago I paid for Kaspersky, and McAfee at different times and was always a bit suspicious of the notifications that they would send to me telling me about how many threats they had saved me from. Just my not very savvy two cents on the subject.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have Norton and I think it is too expensive. I usually let it expire and then wait for a better offer to renew. I think last time they gave me a $20 Amazon credit.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I used Norton for a few years, until they made the renewal process such a problem I'd end up talking to Rajiv's little sister in Mumbai every year, and our mutual dislike of each other was hardly hidden. Not sure why they couldn't figure out how to let me push one button and have the fee charged to my card, but I got tired of 'em. So far, knock on wood, the built in Windows (Defender?) program has worked on a Win 8 and two Win 10 machines.

Rick C

 

[Captain America]

I get Norton free because of my cable TV/internet/land line package from Comcast so I let it run. One of my sons used to be a computer forensic specialist for a state's Attorney General's office, and he did not feel that any of these services really were necessary. He said the free Microsoft Defender software worked just as well as the paid service. Years ago I paid for Kaspersky, and McAfee at different times and was always a bit suspicious of the notifications that they would send to me telling me about how many threats they had saved me from. Just my not very savvy two cents on the subject.

I agree about Microsoft Defender, Norton runs so many processes that it can slow your machine down. BTW, Comcast will no longer be offering Norton after this year...I got the email last week.

 

[Kevin]

I used to pay for McFee, but since Defender has been included in the Windows 10 operating system, that is all I use. It works great, no problems for the last 5 years or so.

Oh, and the whole thing about the added devices you mention. If you have Apple iPhones, they don’t really benefit from virus protection, as there doesn’t seem to be many viruses out there for IOS devices. That is really a non issue.

 

[chm270]

I used Norton back in the 90's but quit it after it turned my hard drive into a brick after an "upgrade".
Have used Avast FREE for MANY years without a problem.

 

[Johnnu2]

Many thanks everyone..... appreciate your help.

J.

 

[SWR]

Cant beat AVG Free or even the paid in depth version if you feel its necessary. Been using AVG Free for 20 years now and never had any problems. Works great

 

[Pat-inCO]

Linux and Add Blocker.

I converted to Linux as 0bama was appointed.
Have NOT needed a firewall since (knock on my wooden head).

 

[Heavy Barrel]

Cant beat AVG Free or even the paid in depth version if you feel its necessary. Been using AVG Free for 20 years now and never had any problems. Works great

Dumped Norton "many years" ago,went with AVG and never had an issue,couldn't be happier.


:mrgreen:

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks again to all.....

Always appreciate all the help this forum has provided over the years....

J.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I use Avast. No problems so far.

 

[ronto]

I have Windows Defender and have no viruses for years, and it's free.

 

[Poco Oso]

I use Bitdefender free. Works good, no annoying adds or notifications, and it doesn't suck up a bunch of resources.

 

[prairieviper]

Through the years, I have used McAfee, Norton, AVG. I had problems of one kind or another with all of those. I finally went to Avast free and have used it for years with no problems and no virus infections.

 

[HawkEyeEarl]

windows defender on several pc's

 

[chuck]

Many years ago I used Norton but I think (I could be wrong) they come up with a cure for a virus that they later invent.

 

[Jeepnik]

I've used Norton for quite some time. But when it expires I'm done. They hooked up with Lifelock and went to hell. Norton used to just sit in the background an do its thing. It did it very well.

Now I get several popups a day wanting me to signup for lifelock and a number of other unneeded services. And as mentioned, prices have gone up. There are too many good antivirus softwares out there to deal with Norton.

 

[gramps]

Yep used Norton for a few years, got tired of it tying up my computer for upgrades, went to AVG til they did likewise. I now use AVAST free, CCleaner, and Malwarebytes on my computer. Updating Windows is a PIA, so I mostly use either my iPhone or iPad for my internet work.
gramps

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I've heard good things about Bit defender and am planning on looking into it. A friend is a Forensic CPA and says it's what a lot of government sites use. That's all I know about it.

 

[Poco Oso]

I've heard good things about Bit defender and am planning on looking into it. A friend is a Forensic CPA and says it's what a lot of government sites use. That's all I know about it.

I've been using the free version for a while now.
I like it. Works in the background. No popups, ads, or unwanted notices, and easy on resources.

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks to all who answered my post about anti-virus products. Here's what I finally did.
I called my close friends at the Norton main phone number (in India). Spoke to a nice lady who actually spoke clearly and SLOWLY (so an old, half deaf man could hear her). I told her exactly what I did NOT want: no auto-renew, no VPN, no Lifelock coverage, no password manager, no Cloud back-up etc.
She spoke almost the same words I heard last year: 'we're having a sale on our Norton Deluxe which is normally $104.99; now only $37.99'. Fortunately Lifelock was NOT included; and all the other b.s. is included in ALL their product packages BUT, you don't have to 'turn it on' if you don't want to initiate it.
I signed up for another year for $37.99 and got the same coverage that I had last year..... And I get to see all their annoying pop-ups warning me that pirates are approaching my vessels.
That's my story.... thanks again to all who offered help and advice
J.

 

[Jeepnik]

You will now be hounded by incessant pop ups offering free add ons. Small print “until the end of your current contract”. At which time you are automatically subscribed to those services.

 

[arky65]

Defender and Adblocker Ultimate all I have used for years. but I do not surf much other than shooting and fishing fourms.

 

[Kevin]

Glad you got what you want from them.

Over the weekend I got a new computer. It came with a month of McAfee anti-virus. What a hassle. I tried to download some software I use, and McAfee kept blocking part of the software. The only way I could download what I want was to uninstall McAfee.

I'll stick with Defender.

 

[Cholo]

I've heard good things about Bit defender and am planning on looking into it. A friend is a Forensic CPA and says it's what a lot of government sites use. That's all I know about it.

My son-in-law is a computer contractor with the government and he's recommended Bitdefender. It's been trouble free for me.