Which norton product is best

Granted, you just get 2GB of online storage with the antivirus, but that may be enough to back up your most essential files. Backup serves as the ultimate security against ransomware and any other destructive attacks that might get past antivirus defenses.

You do have to run through the setup process before you can benefit from the added security of keeping backups. The process starts with choosing what to back up or accepting Norton's default choices, which include documents, pictures, contacts, and more, for all user accounts.

If you're not sure, you won't go wrong accepting the defaults. Next, you choose where to keep your backed-up files. Online storage is the default, but you must click the link and log into your Norton account to activate it. You can also choose any local, removable, or network drive to hold local backups. If you use a cloud storage service that shows up as a drive in Windows Explorer, you can even use that for a backup destination.

The backup component in Kaspersky Total Security doesn't offer online storage, though you can link it to your Dropbox account. Because Norton supports multiple backup jobs, you can save your files in more than one location. The final step involves defining when to run the backup job.

If you're using online storage, just accept the default setting, Automatic. In this mode, Norton backs up new and changed files any time the computer is idle. For other backup jobs, you can choose a weekly, monthly, or manual schedule.

Manual is the best choice if the destination is a removable drive, since you must make sure the drive is ready. Now that you've defined what, where, and when to back up, finish up by clicking Save Settings and Run Backup. The initial backup may take a while, but once it's complete, Norton will keep things up to date in the background.

The backup system maintains multiple versions of files, giving you the option to go back to an earlier version as needed. The 10 previous versions of each file that it stores don't count against your 2GB total.

Backups older than 60 days get purged, but the system always keeps the latest and next-latest versions. Restoring backed-up files is just as simple. Choose a backup set, decide whether to restore all files or just some of them, and pick a destination for restored files. By default, they go to their original location, potentially overwriting existing copies, but you can select any folder you like for restored files.

The program does warn sensibly against restoring into a non-default folder that is itself part of a backup set. When restoring individual files, you can choose a previous version, if available. Other Norton products offer significantly more storage for your backups.

Note, though, that there's no longer an option to simply buy more storage. If you need more, you must upgrade to the product tier that offers enough for you.

Chances are good that your personal webmail provider filters out spam before you ever see it, and that your business email system filters spam at the server level. If you're one of those rare few who still need a local spam filter, Norton can help, though.

Most companies offer antispam as part of a security suite, but Norton puts it in the antivirus. Rather, you must open Settings and choose Antispam. In Outlook, it automatically moves spam to the Norton AntiSpam folder. If you use a different email client, you must create a message rule to divert marked spam messages into their own folder. You can whitelist your correspondents, so their mail never gets marked as spam, or blacklist known spammers.

It's a simple system, for those who need it. This isn't precisely a bonus, since you can get Norton Password Manager for free, but it's nice to have it integrated into My Norton. Read our review of the standalone product for full details. Briefly, Norton Password Manager handles basic password manager tasks such as password capture, password replay, and filling web forms, and it can sync across all your Windows, Android, and iOS devices.

It includes an actionable password strength report with automatic password updates for popular sites. However, it lacks advanced features, among them secure password sharing, digital inheritance, and multi-factor authentication. Many programs configure themselves to launch every time you boot up the computer, and it doesn't always make sense to have them sucking up system resources while you're not using them.

Norton's Startup Manager lists those startup programs, along with information about resource usage and prevalence in the Norton community.

You can reversibly disable any program, so it doesn't launch at startup, or let it launch after a small delay. BullGuard Internet Security goes a step further, displaying a detailed analysis of resource usage during startup. Modern Windows versions work in the background to undo the disk fragmentation that naturally occurs as you create and delete files.

Even so, Norton offers its own Optimize Disk feature. When you launch this component, it first analyzes the drive for fragmentation, only proceeding if defragging would be worthwhile.

If your PC seems sluggish, try launching the File Cleanup tool, but don't expect the thorough cleaning you get with a full-scale tune-up utility.

The cleanup component simply deletes Windows temporary files and browser temporary files. Norton AntiVirus Plus earns superb scores in lab tests and good-to-excellent scores in our hands-on tests. Unusually for a mere antivirus, it includes a full-blown firewall and exploit protection. Bonus features include spam filtering, password management, and online backup. Even so, this probably isn't the Norton product you want. It costs significantly more than competing antivirus products and makes no provision for multiple installations.

There's apparently a contingent of Norton fans who really, really don't want a full suite; this product is for them. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is the tiniest antivirus we've seen, and its unusual behavior-based detection system can even reverse ransomware damage.

Protecting one device with Norton costs the same as protecting every device in your household with McAfee AntiVirus Plus. These four are our Editors' Choice selections for standalone antivirus software.

Excellent 4. Bottom Line Norton AntiVirus Plus gets impressive scores in independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests, and it and offers a wealth of useful features.

Trend Micro was founded in in the U. The company operates worldwide and has many partnerships in the tech industry. Password management and protection are only offered in the product family's highest tier. This version is Windows-only, but Trend Micro does offer a Mac version too. The highest tier plan supports mobile operating systems as well.

The company offers a day money-back guarantee. Our top choice for malware scanning, Malwarebytes, is the best at removing malware on demand among any providers. Malwarebytes was founded in Santa Clara, California, in and specializes in protecting home computers and mobile devices. The free version of Malwarebytes is limited but powerful. It doesn't have many advanced features and protections—it simply detects and removes malware.

Malwarebytes does an excellent job of capturing, quarantining, and removing malware that is wreaking havoc in your system. You can run a full or quick scan of the free version whenever needed, and it will create a report on your system. The premium version can be used as antivirus software. The free version runs on-demand, scanning for and removing malware, but should always be used in tandem with more comprehensive antivirus software.

While the software is available for multiple operating systems, premium offerings only work on Windows. A free trial is available for 14 days, but the free version remains on your computer to be used on-demand.

AV software is an advised layer of any cybersecurity system, as it is often the first line of defense to protect the computer before the malicious software burrows too deep.

It offers protection to a computer or network and helps prevent the virus or other malicious code from spreading to other devices. Hackers don't just make money by selling your personal information; they can use that data to buy things fraudulently, compromise your credit score, drain your bank account, and generally wreak havoc on your and your business's financial life.

Adding antivirus software to your computers is the least you can do to protect yourself. Windows continues to fight viruses designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the operating system, and until those vulnerabilities are patched, AV software is the first line of defense. Windows 10 is the first version to include its own AV software built into the operating system.

But if you want something that offers specific protections, the best option is to add a paid version that covers your needs.

However, a long-standing misconception is that computers using Mac or Apple operating systems are immune to viruses and other malicious software attacks. That was true two decades ago, but as Apple products became more popular, cybercriminals found value in designing viruses and malware for those systems.

Also, increasing numbers of attacks can bypass the operating system and go directly for applications and web portals, putting every type of computer system at risk.

Other things you should consider doing to protect yourself against hacks are installing anti-malware software, using a VPN, improving your password, and setting up two-factor authentication on your devices.

While there are free options, you get better protection and more features with a paid subscription. Paid versions offer features such as VPN, password management, and parental controls.

Free AV software has improved greatly over the years, and again, anyone using Windows 10 already has free AV software that works pretty well. If all you want is software that detects malicious software, blocks it from doing damage, and scans your system, then free is good. Paid versions, however, will offer protections on web browsing, protect identity, or offer VPN services, as well as password managers and parental control across multiple devices and operating systems. Some protection features are not available in Windows 8 Start screen browsers.

Current and previous two versions of Mac OS. Norton Secure VPN may be used on the specified number of devices — with unlimited use during the subscription term. If a Norton expert is unable to remove the virus from your device, then you may receive a refund based on the actual price paid for the current term of your qualifying subscription. Any refund will be net of any discounts or refunds received and less any shipping, handling and applicable taxes, except in certain states and countries where shipping, handling and taxes are refundable.

The refund does not apply to any damages incurred as a result of viruses. See norton. Not available on all browsers. It does not monitor or track YouTube videos that have been embedded in other websites or blogs.

All rights reserved. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Visit Norton Reply Share. VERY Unethical company. If I could give them NO stars I would. Had heard so many great things about Norton thought I'd give it a try. Installed the free trial they offered. It would not work. Could not get it to even open. Kept getting messages that it could not "connect". Uninstalled and re-installed it after making sure all remnants of previous install was removed. Sat on phone NO ONE answered.

No response to multiple emails. Finally removed it from my system. Show More has expired. My email address had to come from Norton. It was an email that I seldom used and then ONLY for personal correspondence with three 3 family members. To this day the only consistent spam email I get at that email address is regarding Norton. Makes me believe this company, that brags about how secure our personal information entrusted to them, is selling our email address. Would never trust them again. Will never allow them near any personal information again Denis Desautels J.

I too, had a very bad experience with Norton with LifeLock. The first problem is that you have to manually turn the VPN on. This is ridiculous. Second problem is you cannot change your phone number. They have to cancel your ac Show More count and create a new one for you. When they create your new account you have to give them a new email. Most people don't have multiple email accounts. I ended up getting a refund. How can anyone expect them to protect you when they can't do simple things.

Norton is a joke. Lousy Product - Norton Premium. For starters I have had difficulty installing Norton Premium. After 2 tel calls to Norton lasting many hours , I manage to install it. Then came other problems. Luckily was able to recover to Windows thro system restore. Recently got another BSOD which is unrecoverable.

Have to re-install Windows 10 Professional. Now losing confidence in Norton products and that is why at this website to asses whether to continue with Norton. It is quite to get a refund because I bought it at retail outlet. I lost my job a few months back after my divorce with my wife.

I tried everything positive to make sure I took good care of my kids but all failed, and I was in debt which makes everythin Show More g worse. I was kicked out of my home and i had to live with my neighbor after pleading with her to allow me to stay with her for some days while I figured out how to get a home which she agreed to, but no one was willing to help anymore. I bumped into this page from google and I was excited about this, then I contacted the hackersBill Dean.

I never believed my eyes! The card got blocked the third day and I contacted them and I was told it's a mistake from my end. Be carefull with the Credit Card automatic renewal button, That reminder renewal number from to time to renew will disappear, and just say active, so beware of renewal end date for one, second they give you Norton utilities if you have automatic renewal for free, but if you cancel automatic renewal option, Norton utilities will cancel automatically, then the next time I turned my computer on, I was locked out from windows.

Mohammed E. Actually, i bought norton deluxe and only thing is ui is horrible! Then i realized that ui can changed to normal ui. There's only 2 themes and one is super bad. After changing to old ui, norton wasnt that bad. It blocked viruses from opening.

Better than free avs, malwarebytes etc free and its super cheap only 11 dollars for Turkey. Ron Levine. No, Norton didn't stop it I upgraded to the "lifelock" thing, and just found out My bank and Paypal are with me and helping Bob Loeffler. Don't buy it. I purchased Norton for Mac because I'm a subcontractor and the main contractor for the project told me I had too.

I regret it. It doesn't work well for the type of back-ups I use. It tries to delete back-up copies of files. So, I had to turn parts of it off. And it bombards me with spam about turning things on or buying addition. I do not want my applications to bombard me with spam. And I want the product to work well with non-Norton, Apple applications. It doesn't do either.