Norton 360 and macbook pro compatibility?

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Level 1

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Norton 360 and macbook pro compatibility?

I haven't seen anything on the compatibility of Norton 360 and MacBook pro, so I'm restarting the conversation again. I have a 2013 MacBook Pro Retina. I installed Norton 360 on 2Jan (part of my new years resolution). What really spurred me to do this was because I got that Google going to Yahoo problem. So instead of installing the free Mac MalwareByte software that most recommend, since we have four copies of 360 remaining (husband has windows), I decided I'd install it on my mac (with some trepidation. The first install seemed to work and Norton found 6 files of the malware and removed them. 360 was supposedly working fine, until I did the "clean" function. But then my MacBook got hungup and the fan continued to run for 10-15 minutes so I did did a reboot. Called Norton when after the reboot I couldn't connect to the internet. The helpful agent went right to network settings and removed the norton connection and I then could re-connect to internet immediately. She helped me with full reinstall and everything was working fine, even the VPN. After 2-3 days of working fine I got up one morning and the Norton icon was gone from my system tray at the bottom of my screen. So I called Norton again. The Norton help desk agent had me open the application from the application folder and the Icon reappeared. But the VPN wouldn't connect it was just spinning and pending. They helped me uninstall with the RemoveNortonMacfiles.command and wanted to reinstall Norton. I told them, I'd have to think about it. Now I am wondering if anyone is actually successfully using Norton 360 on their MacBook Pro? I don't want to screwup my MacBook. Perhaps I already have (since apparently there are always norton files hanging around even after you use the uninstall app from Norton, or so I've read). So I'm wondering if any folks out there who are way better than I at this stuff what I should do about leaving Norton off or trying to reinstall on my MacBook. We bought the Mac new in 2014 an have never had any virus/malware problems (that I'm aware of...) until this past December. So, the question I'm asking real mac experts is should I try it again or not?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jan 8, 2022 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jack-19

Level 8

46,008 points

Jan 8, 2022 7:53 AM in response to JDuckToo

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.

Delete Norton ASAP: How to Delete Anti-Virus, Cleaners, VPNs,… - Apple Community.

Mac computers do not need any sort of anti-virus, cleaners, VPNs, etc. The only thing they are good at is creating false marketing promises and taking consumers' money. They are all scams. In fact, anti-virus and other cleaners cause performance issues, security issues, and make macOS appear buggy. Your Mac is far worse with these types of Apps installed.

Mac computers have protection built-in, which is the best protection for your Mac. For specifics on macOS Security, see: macOS - Security - Apple and Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support. Mac computers also have built-in storage recommendations: Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support. You can even use the built-in macOS Firewall: Block connections to your Mac with a firewall - Apple Support. 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.

However, should you ever get adware or malware on your Mac, the only tool that should be used to remove it is the free Malwarebytes for Mac. This App is the only exception to the general rule that no anti-virus, anti-malware, etc. should be used.

Jack

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Answer 2

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 8:08 AM in response to Jack-19

Thank you Jack for your super fast reply. I will follow-up with the helpful link https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250004506.

I'm so glad there are folks out there like you to help novices like me. I've been so fortunate with my MacBook and I really hope I haven't screwed it up. I will remove Norton now.

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Answer 3

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 8:07 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Wow! Thank you for your super super FAST reply! I am going to follow your advice, Grant as well as Jack's (below). You both seem to be super users at high levels. I already started looking into all the settings in the link you provided. Thank you! I will follow Jack's advice on how to get rid of Norton completely from my computer.

Can I ask you about using a VPN, do you think that is necessary with a Mac? But that is just from a tiny bit of reading about them and that is one reason I installed Norton, thinking that using a VPN was a good idea....

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Answer 4

Jack-19

Level 8

46,008 points

Jan 8, 2022 8:09 AM in response to JDuckToo

You're welcome!

JDuckToo wrote:

Can I ask you about using a VPN, do you think that is necessary with a Mac? But that is just from a tiny bit of reading about them and that is one reason I installed Norton, thinking that using a VPN was a good idea....

A VPN is not needed. In fact, they can actually make your connection less secure, since your data is processed through their servers.

Jack

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Answer 5

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 8:13 AM in response to Jack-19

Ok, can I ask you one related thing. I use time machine, so I assume that I should use the backup of before I installed Norton. So that is possible. I know that I had the malware on that backup. The one where I use google and then get taken to yahoo searches. Should I then use the MacMalware Bytes software to clean up that issue after I use the backup version on Time Machine? I've never had to use Time Machine to backup. Is there anything that I should be aware of when using Time Machine. It's a little scary.

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Answer 6

Jan 8, 2022 8:14 AM in response to JDuckToo

Nearly every web site you go to these days sets up an httpS: connection. it is already encrypted.

VPN for casual use offers no additional protection. Adding VPN software just makes it unstable, unless you need it to connect to your Institution or Company.

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Answer 7

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 9:03 AM in response to Jack-19

Ok. Restarted in safe mode, then in normal mode. All good. then decide to go with the FAF. Downloaded, and it sure did find more Norton and Symantec than spotlight did. Now going to delete those norton and semantic file and restart in safe and then normal mode. Did see that Symantec (com.symantec.SymInstallHelper) still had full disk access, so turned that off.

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Answer 8

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 9:30 AM in response to Jack-19

Ok, used FAF and deleted all files it found related to Norton and Symantec searches. Restarted in Safe mode, then in normal. Went and paid Mr. Templeton, because of his nice application. So now I'm wondering about another question...

Should I do a complete re-install of my OS? If so, I have a time machine backup (that also has the malware, google to yahoo) on it. What do you recommend?

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Answer 9

JDuckToo Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 8, 2022 9:34 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant, based on what I've done so far (safe mode boot, normal boot), using FAF to clean up all norton and symantec files. what would you do? Would you do a complete re-install of Mac OS and then time machine backup? I think I still will have the malware (google to yahoo) on my back up. Thoughts?

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Answer 10

Jan 8, 2022 9:55 AM in response to JDuckToo

<< what would you do? Would you do a complete re-install of Mac OS and then time machine backup? >>

I NEVER restore MacOS from a backup. I always keep the issue of installing MacOS separate from backing up or restoring my files.

Installing MacOS from fundamental sources is an important debugging technique. Since my use is similar to a developer, I do this as a separate step. I don't include System Files in my backups. MacOS does not modify itself, and in recent versions is installed on its own double-locked volume.

Adding back only your own files from backup theoretically can not clobber MacOS.

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