Is Norton Anti-Virus a total scam?

Question

I have had quite a few computers. Every single one that had Norton has died within 2-3 years. I had Norton Anti-virus on this computer all year, I scanned my computer once a week, and it was all clear. When it expired (like it does every year), I didn't rush to update it...two weeks later this stupid message pops up "You are infected with a virus! Update now to remove it!" I thought that sounded pretty fishy, being that I had scanned every week for a year with it being all clear. So I just uninstalled the program all together and my computer has worked much better since then. What's up with that? I still have Windows Defender, and this computer is going on 4 or 5 years old.

Answer 1

Not exactly, but it is a mistake to assume it is a 'solve all problems' kind of suite.

Securing Windows operating systems from Internet threats is not a single application, or even a suite.

It's layers of protection, user habits, threat landscape awareness, system configuration, real time protection, and more.



Although 'all-in-one' suites may be OK, (CareOne, McAfee, or Norton) plenty of freeware is available that will do the same job (maybe better???) & don't deplete your system resources (and therefore speed).



Generally speaking: as a system's convenience, interactiveness & flexibility increase: security decreases.



Look through some of the suggested freeware here, study up, and pick some of the frontline, real-time defenses. Create a restore point after each install, then run the system to verify that application's 'friendliness' with your system before adding other applications.



Sorry, but using Windows requires you to become a security expert, it's that simple. Something they don't tell you when you buy this system...



http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwsecuritytools.html

******************

Whatever 'layers' you decide on, add this to your counter-measure arsenal:

Sandboxie (http://www.sandboxie.com/)

runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer.

Use it for:

Secure Web Browsing: Running your Web browser under the protection of Sandboxie means that all malicious software downloaded by the browser is trapped in the sandbox and can be discarded trivially.



Enhanced Privacy: Browsing history, cookies, and cached temporary files collected while Web browsing stay in the sandbox and don't leak into Windows.



Secure E-mail: Viruses and other malicious software that might be hiding in your email can't break out of the sandbox and can't infect your real system.

Freeware.

Not overly difficult to use. Don't presume you can do just anything as it does have limits; listen to 'Security Now' #174 for more details (http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm)



Freeware.

Not for 64 bit Vista platform.

Recommended by Steve Gibson (Security Now & GRC)

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Norton Scam

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Is Norton Anti-Virus a total scam?

I have had quite a few computers. Every single one that had Norton has died within 2-3 years. I had Norton Anti-virus on this computer all year, I scanned my computer once a week, and it was all clear. When it expired (like it does every year), I didn't rush to update it...two weeks later...

Answer 5

Is more of an extended 'Millennium Bug' scam?



Assuming that Norton or any other has 10000 to 1000000+ clients:

can anyone report how many persons were appropriately compensated by the company that they had signed up with and had paid out considerable money for ongoing service (updates ) when their pc went down/ or suffered badly, due to a virus??



If any, is odds-on is a tiny fraction of the client database



Do the sums. Take a time-scale and / or usage average.

So back up your files, be sensible online, and If the pc happens to go down for whatever reason , is more economical to buy a new one. In most instances, on par price-wise, will be superseded in spec by the existing one anyway.

Answer 6

Norton anti-virus uses alot of system resources. You will see a performance increase since those system resources are no longer being used.



If you don't want to pay for anti-virus, there are several that are free. Avast! and AVG are two very reputable anti-virus programs that are free.



You can go without anti-virus, but without the automatic protection you will likely end up with viruses, spyware, and/or trojans.

Answer 7

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/xnsZK



Among above specified Antivirus security program Norton AV 2010 is better in authentication.... Well I would say that every particular Antivirus is good at its own and has certain pros and cons... Norton Antivirus is a good Antivirus security software and is well featured and designed to give total protection against malicious threats... Still what I feel is that Norton Antivirus security is known for its limitation that it slows down the speed of system to large extent... Norton Antivirus security program is no doubt provides protection against rouge viruses but makes system too lazy... Alternatively if you are looking for free Antivirus security program then I suggest you simply go for AVG free version as it is probably most widely used security program and is bundled with advanced security measures.. And last but not the least McAfee Premium Antivirus security software is the most recent and authentic Antivirus security program used worldwide... Though it cost some bucks but it is most genuine and impeccable security program used so far embedded with advanced tech security measures to maintain system security... Its remarkable features are.... Fast Anti-Virus and Anti-spyware Protection Detects, blocks, and removes viruses, spyware, adware and rootkits… Provides NEW QuickScan Lets you check for threats in the most commonly infected areas on the computer in less than 10 minutes and on modern machines within seconds. Is anti-phishing Warns you before accessing dangerous scam websites that try to steal your personal information Provides identity protection Let’s you shop, bank and trade online safely by asking permission before personally identifiable information like PIN’s, bank accounts, Social Security numbers are sent from your PC.

Answer 8

No, I dont think Norton is a scam, but rather a waste of money when you can get free antivirus programs like AVG Free and Avast! Anti-Virus.

Answer 9

My company use Norton and Symantec antivirus.



What I can tell you about my 4 years experiences with these antivirus programs is that these antivirus program are the worst antivirus program.



Reasons.

1) Their live update is faulty. Some PC get the virus because live update dies suddenly.

2) The auto-protection can be easily disabled by viruses.

3) Quite frequently, the antivirus can detect but cannot remove the viruses.

4) It doesn't provide registry repair so the virus can corrupt the registry.

5) It use a lot of system resources so it slow down your PC.

6) It cannot remove virus hidden in system restore folder.

Answer 10

No, Norton is not a scam. Either that message was not from Norton (it could have been from a /different/ program that was a scam), or you really did have a virus.

Answer 11

Norton isnt a scam... But unless you have a pretty top-of-the-line computer, Norton is worthless. Norton is such a demanding program that it makes most people wonder if it's even worth the overhead.

Answer 12

I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. The best PC cleaner and antivirus program is PC Health Boost, it's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate.



It's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than nomal. Download it here for free: http://www.pcboostsoftware.com

Answer 13

Norton would never just give you a random pop up like that it's probably a fake message coming from antivirus 2009 a rogue malicious program. Windows Defender is just an Anti-spyware program and not a very good one you still need an Anti-virus program

try Avira if you like it you can buy it.



http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_Mn7VFJLnUAlXFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyZmJ2MmVkBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y2NTRfNzM-/SIG=121pk6fmf/EXP=1230192295/**http%3a//www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html



P.S when you uninstalled Norton did you use the Symantec removal tool? you should.

Answer 14

I feel they are all rip us off. Pay over 50 dollars a year is just a rip off, specially when there are ones you can get for free. I could understand paying $50 or more for first program and a 15 dollar renewal but not $50 plus each year.



I had the same suspicion when I had McAfee on my computer.

Answer 15

Sometimes it seems that these guys are scammers. The best thing I tell people to do is if you don't to deal with the renewal fee and all the hassel is just to get a MAC laptop or desktop. However, if you still use you windows get the following Internet security that I think are better.... Panda Internet security or kapersky Internet security... They aren't well known in the US because of competition..... I hope this helps you a little bit.

Happy holidays.....

Answer 16

Anti-virus software is a virus itself

Answer 17

1

Answer 18

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Answer 19

Yeah it's possible