Buying Norton 360? Read the fine print
Norton 360 is considered to be the top ranked security suite for computers. And one that impacts system performance in a very minimal way.
But here’s what the “fine print” on a retail box of Norton 360 reads like:
‡1 Year Protection: With this service, you receive the right to use this product on one PC or on the specified number of PCs during the service period, which begins upon initial installation and activation. This renewable service includes protection updates and new product features as available throughout the service period, subject to acceptance of the Symantec License Agreement included with this product and available for review at www.symantec.com. Product features may be added, modified, or removed during the service period.
In other words, Norton 360 is not software. It is “rentware.” You get to use it for a specified period of time. After that, it becomes the software equivalent of a paperweight. To make sure that it does so, Norton comes with a comprehensive online license activation service, that $tart$ a countdown to the next renewal date.
This is a departure from Norton’s previous policies. For example, previous versions of Norton Internet Security allowed to software to still be used after the license had expired. Only the customer’s access to updated virus definitions was disabled after the license expired.
In Norton 360, once the one year license expires,
- The antivirus protection ceases downloading updates (obviously).
- You can no longer run scans on the computer (But I should be able to using my previous updates).
- The antivirus protection ceases to protect the computer (Antivirus protection can still be very potent without updates).
- You can no longer run backups on the computer (using Norton 360).
- You can no longer set Norton parental controls.
- You can no longer run the Norton start-up manager (which is a bundled utility).
- The Norton firewall turns off (Back to Windows Firewall!).
- Nearly all product functionality is lost.
Even non-security items, such as a password manager that comes bundled with Norton 360, denies you access to the website passwords you have stored in it. Bear in mind that this is a local utility that does not use Norton’s network services.
When purchasing boxed versions of software at retail outlets (at a premium price) it is assumed that the customer is taking ownership of the software, not “renting” it. And even if the terms of the fine print are to be applied, the customer does “own” the updates downloaded over the subscription period, and has the right to use them even after the subscription period has expired. And of course, he or she still has the right to use the software as it came, minus any new updates. For example, if you purchased a boxed version of Windows 95, you can still use it on a computer, even though that may not be a good idea. And you don’t expect Microsoft to disable the product.
Norton 360’s “rentware” agreement enforcement ironically endangers the security of computers it vouches to protect. For example, lets suppose that you cannot renew your subscription because you are in a foreign country and do not have access to your credit card. Or lets suppose you don’t want to pay the full price for a new subscription, and instead you are waiting for retail stores to slash prices on the boxed versions of Norton 360. Until you renew the subscription, your computer will be left vulnerable, without any kind of antivirus protection.
Depending on how angry this post makes you, you may switch to a free antivirus software. Or you may abandon Windows altogether, given the fact that when you pay Norton, you are paying for covering Windows vulnerabilities even though Windows is offering free antivirus to cheer you up.
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Nonsense.
Anyone who has suffered Norton 360 trials knows that it has a big impact on system performance.
Norton is the worst virus out there 😀
Norton sucks. I have never in all my years had a program turn on me when the subscription ran out, until now. They actually expect me to hand over more money for this anti-virus turned malware they are crazy. Never again!!!
Hooray for Norton! 😈 I was wondering about that. Generally I love Norton 360 although it has started regarding some of my “naughty” programs 😯 as viruses and I have to disable Norton in order to run them (shame on me 🙄 But I’ve waited until times like now when I can find it on sale way below the renewal price
If I’m desperate I can go to a ridiculously ancient version that allowed unlimited signature downloads and it renews itself just by re-installing. 😈 Yeah it’s THAT old. So I still trust Norton – but not at full price.
I had a problem with my Norton 360 and did an on line agent assisted attempt to fix it. Sure it got fixed all right. My personal information was now available to any user of my sytem and theirs was gone. This included all personal passwords, information, accounts and sites. 4-1\2 hours later I was promised a call back. Didn’t happen at the appointed time. Their excuse> someone forgot to update the data base to reflect my callback. To this day, and that was 3 weeks ago, they have not called nor made any attempt to rectify my problems. I asked for a refund. They only give one up to 30 days after purchase. So once you pay, you are stuck with it. So now I’ll wait out my subscription, change absolutely all info, including logins and not rely on Norton 360 as it doesn’t work once an agent gets into your system. Even sending in complaints to their people did not get any response let alone help.
Been using 360 for many years now. No viruses and they have always been very helpful answering questions or actually remotely helping me with computer problems.
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