The free version is more than adequate for most users.Īlso, unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer, school or bank's servers, they are useless from a privacy standpoint. Norton 360 Standard covers a single device Norton 360 Deluxe covers up to 3 devices Norton 360 Premium covers up to 5 devices Device Security. Norton Device Security and Norton Secure VPN Entitlement PC, Mac or Mobile Device: PCs, Macs, Androids, iPads and iPhones.
There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is desshoigned solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. Norton AntiVirus Plus covers a single PC or Mac. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.
There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.Īnti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community. Here's my 2¢ worth: there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac. Norton 360 Standard also includes a VPN that enables you to browse the web.
Other than that, all you should do is restart your Mac approximately once a week and keep macOS up to date: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support.įor uninstallation instructions, see: How to Delete Anti-Virus, Cleaners, VPNs,… - Apple Community. Norton 360 Standard provides comprehensive malware protection for a single PC, Mac, Android or iOS device, plus Cloud Backup 4, for PC to help prevent data loss due to ransomware or hard drive failures and a Password Manager to store and manage your passwords. You can even use the built-in macOS Firewall: Block connections to your Mac with a firewall - Apple Support. Mac computers also have built-in storage recommendations: Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support. For specifics on macOS Security, see: macOS - Security - Apple and Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support. Mac computers have protection built-in, which is the best protection for your Mac. Your Mac is far worse with these types of Apps installed.
In fact, anti-virus and other cleaners cause performance issues, security issues, and make macOS appear buggy. The only thing they are good at is creating false marketing promises and taking consumers' money. Mac computers do not need any sort of anti-virus, cleaners, VPNs, etc. Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.