What do you think - Norton vs AVG? (antivirus and utilities, etc)

[RandomNumbers]

My old-ish computer is getting creaky and I don't have the expertise, time, or patience to manually do all the hygiene actions it's long overdue for.

My Norton subscription keeps trying to sell me stuff - today it's their Ultimate Utilities package, which would be nice but appears quite pricey. And, they are now tied with Lifelock which I recall at least used to advertise (i.e. support) some pretty nasty RW programming.

Currently available a whole helluva lot cheaper from a reliable source: AVG Ultimate 2021 - 10 devices - 2 years

I'm thinking I should ditch Norton and go with AVG. Looking for a compare from anyone who is familiar with both.

I am not looking for the "best" in individual tools, really want one product that covers all the important things with a simple interface I don't have to think hard about, which is why I went back to Norton many years ago. (And I do NOT want or need any online password "vault" - just more fluff Norton has added lately).

What say you all?

Thanks!

[hlthe2b]

1. Well, Norton is an enormous comprehensive package that may or may not run well on an older

computer. I have it now and find it to be yes very comprehensive but often onerous. To get it to work with Malwarebytes (which I insist on using) required some tinkering but it was doable and they work together fine now. If you are using Firefox as your browser, I have found recent issues that I have yet to decide if it is coming from Firefox update incompatibilities or with its interphase with Norton. MS Edge and Chrome seem to work better with it. Again, it may just be Firefox.

Norton has a LOT of features I have never set up as I have alternatives I like already (like a password protector app, online cloud backup and do not wish to pay for full LIFELOCK which is now part of Norton)

I haven't used AVG in several years, so it is possible it has become really bloated as well.

Ironically, the package I liked the best in the past several years was Kaspersky--which STILL gets rated highly for consumer use, but for obvious reasons I moved on.


My suggestion is to do some reading of trusted reviews like this one from PCMagazine and maybe talk with your IT support at work (if you have one):

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-security-suites

[RandomNumbers]

2. Thanks! I saw a review that has AVG as "simple interface"

and not the first pick on the list, which lowers any flags for the review being sponsored. The specs and current pricing look good for me.

I use Chrome and have never had any issues with my Norton subscription except a) price b) creeping bloat and c) Lifelock. Them wanting me to add the Utilities package for a high price might be the last straw. I definitely need the Utilities but decided it's time to look elsewhere.

This is the review I am looking at: https://www.techadvisor.com/test-centre/software/best-pc-cleaner-3694424/

Out of the list I picked AVG partly because I recognize the name, and it has a good special price today from a trusted source where I can download it, not wait for the CD to come in the mail.

Thank you for the PC Mag link, I am reading the review on AVG now. It is looking good for my purposes so far.

[lastlib]

3. I've had AVG on my Win7 machine for several years.

It's a little over-priced, I think (but I'm a major tightwad), but fairly user-friendly, and their PC Tuneup has decent utilities.

[RandomNumbers]

6. Thanks!

But, Win7? Living dangerously I guess.

[orwell]

11. You really need to upgrade to Win 10...

...Win 7 is easily hackable.

[lastlib]

14. you buyin'?

Funds are kinda tight right now.

I do see it happening in the future, but it'll have to be a complete new system--PC, printer (probly need color laser), all the software.......I could probly keep my flat-screen, which I love, and haven't seen the replacement I want, but almost all the rest will have to be upgraded. Including the laptop, eventually.

[Wicked Blue]

4. I use Avast and love it

Someone on DU recommended it a while back

[RandomNumbers]

7. Good to know. Thanks! nt

[HUAJIAO]

5. I have WEBROOT.

[Ptah]

8. Windows Defender is all that is needed.

[ShazamIam]

9. It is just me, but Norton in particular seemed to be more about data collecting than protecting,

I had also used others, the very last one, Kaspersky. When widows defender became available I switched, have had no problems since on several computers and at least 10 years now.

[RandomNumbers]

13. Thanks. I'm also a little concerned over Norton's potential data collection.

I will try to learn more about the built in Windows features like Defender.

[orwell]

10. Neither...

...I am a computer professional who has removed many viruses over the years.

I wouldn't put either of those programs on my computer. They are resource hogs.

I rely on Windows Defender which is free and built into Windows 10.

If you really feel the need to buy something I would look at Webroot. It is much easier on the system.

Most attacks nowadays have nothing to do with typical viral payloads. They are more likely ransomware attacks delivered through email links or drive by attacks from sketchy websites.

Unfortunately the most important anti virus is between your ears...

Be very careful with your email links and watch out for misleading popups (YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECTED! CALL THIS NUMBER NOW!), bogus "tech support" phone calls, and sketchy websites. Also, Facebook has done it's share of damage to unsuspecting users.

None of the programs you list will help you with many of these typical scams.

[RandomNumbers]

12. Thanks, good info!

I am quite careful with email links and def do not respond to those idiot phone calls.

I haven't seen one of those pop-ups in a very long time. I assume if I see one I have already clicked something I shouldn't. In the rare case in the past when I saw one, I launched my anti-virus immediately and closed out of everything else, then prayed.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

15. Good post/advice. n/t