Internet Security

[BJS]

I have just renewed my subscription with Norton which turned out to be a ordeal. I have a feeling I ended up paying more than I thought they quoted to me for the 2 year period It looks as I could have saved money by buying from a store. Does anyone know if I could cancel this with Norton and get my money refunded. Also what are members views on the various security firms like McAfee or Malawarebytes products.

[Buenchico]

If you could show that you were charged more than you were quoted you'd certainly have the right to a refund of the excess but I doubt that you could get a full refund.

Norton offers a complete security suite (rather than just an anti-virus program) but there's nothing there which you can't get for free elsewhere. (The free stuff is usually just as good, as it offers a single component of a full commercial suite; so it's exactly the same as that component would be if you were paying for the whole lot).

A security suite usually comprises three main components. They are
(a) a firewall ;
(b) an anti-virus program ; and
(c) an anti-malware program.
[There might be additional components offered but you probably don't need them anyway].

Windows comes with its own firewall, which most users are perfectly happy with. However some people prefer to use a third-party firewall, which offers better 'two-way' protection. Zone Alarm is the most well-known, has been around longest and gets consistently good reviews in the technical press:
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/free-upgrade-security-suite-zonealarm-firewall.htm
Comodo is also popular:
https://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Among the free anti-virus products available, Microsoft Security Essentials used to be well-regarded but it started failing independent tests and Microsoft have admitted that it's not as good as they'd like it to be. The most popular (free) alternatives are AVG
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus-download
and Avast
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/index
(I used AVG for years but then found that more recent versions slowed my computers, so I've switched to Avast).

However no anti-virus programs (or even full, commercial security suites, such as Norton) seem capable of dealing with all of the malware attacks that are out there. That's where Malwarebytes Anti-Malware comes into its own. The paid-for (Premium) version 'runs in the background', so that it's constantly looking for potential problems, where the free version is 'run on demand' (so that you need to actively run a scan with it periodically):
https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/
(If you go for the free version, take care to remove the tick against the offer to take a free trial of the Premium version).

I use the Windows firewall, together with the free versions of Avast and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and I'm happy enough with that combination. I've never seen the need to use a commercial security suite but, if I did, it certainly wouldn't be either Norton or McAfee; Kaspersky consistently gets far better reviews:
http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/

[VHG]

I have 5 PCs in my house and have never paid a penny for security and never had a problem.

I use a combination of the built in Windows firewall (which is now far better in Windows 7), Microsoft Security Essentials (now called Windows Defender in Windows 8), and Malwarebytes.

I do have to run Malwarebytes manually as it is the free version.

If you run a business from home you may want stronger security but most of the free stuff is fine for most people (as long as you backup your personal files regularly, but that is true in any case).

[BJS]

Once again thank's for the help. went on their Chat line this morning and said that I wished to cancel my order which they were quite willing to do, asked me why ,told them and they offered me the 2 years cover for half of what I had paid so said O.K.

[furrypusscat]

We have just purchased the Norton Security with back up. It covers up to 10 devices which sounds a lot but with desk top, laptops, I-pad and I-phones we thought it would be better. You can also purchase one that covers up to 5 devices. We did have McAfee originally but had a few problems and went with Norton some years ago. Not had a problem since. Prior to purchase I checked out the prices as last years renewal was dearer through Norton so went to PCWorld and got the same product on offer. It pays to shop around. Good that you argued the point and got a better deal.