Computer Help and Support

Fla Dem

(27,764 posts) Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:31 PM Oct 2021

I'm paying an annual and monthly fee for Norton protection. Does anyone else have it on their PC?

Do I really need it? I'm not sure. I keep nothing of value on my PC, everything of any importance I keep on external hard drives which I disconnect when not using the PC. Need your advice and thoughts.

Thanks Much!

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13 replies

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I'm paying an annual and monthly fee for Norton protection. Does anyone else have it on their PC? (Original Post) Fla Dem Oct 2021 OP

I pay an annual fee. I do not pay a monthly fee, but I don't use lifelock or their cloud services. hlthe2b Oct 2021 #1

You need something. Joinfortmill Oct 2021 #2

you do need SOME kind of virus / malware protection Skittles Oct 2021 #3

I always thought Norton was a good service and priced reasonably. Virus protection is ... marble falls Oct 2021 #4

Thank you. Fla Dem Oct 2021 #9

Norton's a waste of money. Cattledog Oct 2021 #5

I didn't know that. I have Windows 10. Fla Dem Oct 2021 #6

I had Norton and was hacked, badly hacked. What they did was turn Norton off then katmondoo Oct 2021 #10

From what I understand... Salviati Oct 2021 #7

Thanks, interesting article. Fla Dem Oct 2021 #8

windows defender and Malwarebytes free IbogaProject Oct 2021 #11

1. Ask a local pro or skilled neighborhood geek to install a decent "hosts" file Tetrachloride Oct 2021 #12

First thing I remove whenever I buy a computer janterry Oct 2021 #13

hlthe2b

(114,671 posts)

1. I pay an annual fee. I do not pay a monthly fee, but I don't use lifelock or their cloud services.

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:33 PM

Oct 2021

Joinfortmill

(21,668 posts)

2. You need something.

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:34 PM

Oct 2021

Check if your internet provider offers protection. Norton has a good reputation.

Skittles

(172,841 posts)

3. you do need SOME kind of virus / malware protection

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:35 PM

Oct 2021

I can't advise on whether or not Norton is the best fit for you.....I'm betting others can.

marble falls

(72,531 posts)

4. I always thought Norton was a good service and priced reasonably. Virus protection is ...

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:36 PM

Oct 2021

a necessity.

Fla Dem

(27,764 posts)

9. Thank you.

Reply to marble falls (Reply #4)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:57 PM

Oct 2021

Cattledog

(6,668 posts)

5. Norton's a waste of money.

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:36 PM

Oct 2021

Microsoft Windows Defender is built into Windows 10. It's free and very good.

Fla Dem

(27,764 posts)

6. I didn't know that. I have Windows 10.

Reply to Cattledog (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:42 PM

Oct 2021

Thank you.

katmondoo

(6,524 posts)

10. I had Norton and was hacked, badly hacked. What they did was turn Norton off then

Reply to Cattledog (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 04:06 PM

Oct 2021

proceeded to find my email and change all of my accounts. It was so bad I got a new computer and changed all my passwords and the server. Now I use Microsoft Edge for security. It is free with windows 10.

Salviati

(6,059 posts)

7. From what I understand...

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:42 PM

Oct 2021

If you're a reasonably careful person, then you may not need any extra antivirus protection beyond what is included in Windows these days. Windows Defender has markedly improved since it's introduction, and is generally well thought of.

3rd party programs may offer a bit more protections from some things, and may have additional features that you want, but the built in protection is pretty good these days.

https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/is-windows-defender-good-enough-to-protect-your-pc-by-itself

Fla Dem

(27,764 posts)

8. Thanks, interesting article.

Reply to Salviati (Reply #7)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 03:57 PM

Oct 2021

IbogaProject

(6,070 posts)

11. windows defender and Malwarebytes free

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 04:06 PM

Oct 2021

Use the included windows defender and add Malwarebytes free. Do a Malwarebytes scan from time to time to find and remove malware, and malvertising junk.

Tetrachloride

(9,702 posts)

12. 1. Ask a local pro or skilled neighborhood geek to install a decent "hosts" file

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 04:40 PM

Oct 2021

2. Get the web browser Epic. stuff which comes in via advertising is an issue

3. make sure “remote images” do not load in mail and if possible instant messages

4. if your junk filters in email are not effective, it might be worthwhile, yet a bit painful, to get a new email account. this will definitely want a second pair of eyes for most people.

5. make sure firewalls are on

there are more advanced processes available but i am mainly not a Windows person

janterry

(4,429 posts)

13. First thing I remove whenever I buy a computer

Reply to Fla Dem (Original post)

Thu Oct 28, 2021, 05:01 PM

Oct 2021

waste of money. I use free protection and have never had a problem.

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