2017 Mac OS Monterey 12.6.7

This older Mac going very slow. Could it be the Norton software slowing it down?

Do I need Norton???

Thanks.

lal NZ


Posted on Aug 9, 2023 9:15 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 9, 2023 9:55 PM

  1. Resource Usage: Antivirus software, including Norton, can use system resources such as CPU and memory. If the software is constantly scanning or performing resource-intensive tasks, it could potentially slow down your Mac.
  2. Conflicts: Sometimes, third-party software can conflict with the macOS system or other applications, leading to performance issues.
  3. Updates: Ensure that both macOS and Norton software are up to date. Software updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.
  4. Scan Scheduling: Check if Norton is scheduled to perform frequent scans or resource-heavy tasks that coincide with your usage patterns.
  5. Settings Optimization: Review Norton's settings to see if there are options to adjust the level of scanning or real-time protection. You might be able to find a balance between security and performance.
  6. Temporary Disablement: As a test, you could temporarily disable Norton's real-time protection and see if there's a noticeable improvement in performance. Be cautious when doing this, and only do it as a diagnostic step.
  7. Uninstall and Test: If you suspect Norton is causing the slowdown, you can try uninstalling it temporarily to see if your Mac's performance improves. This can help determine if Norton is indeed the cause.
  8. Contact Norton Support: If you continue to experience performance issues, you might want to reach out to Norton's customer support. They might be able to provide guidance specific to their software and your setup.

It's worth noting that macOS has built-in security features that provide protection against malware and other threats. You might consider using macOS's built-in security tools and features instead of third-party antivirus software, especially if it's causing significant performance issues.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 9, 2023 9:55 PM in response to hilary226

  1. Resource Usage: Antivirus software, including Norton, can use system resources such as CPU and memory. If the software is constantly scanning or performing resource-intensive tasks, it could potentially slow down your Mac.
  2. Conflicts: Sometimes, third-party software can conflict with the macOS system or other applications, leading to performance issues.
  3. Updates: Ensure that both macOS and Norton software are up to date. Software updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes.
  4. Scan Scheduling: Check if Norton is scheduled to perform frequent scans or resource-heavy tasks that coincide with your usage patterns.
  5. Settings Optimization: Review Norton's settings to see if there are options to adjust the level of scanning or real-time protection. You might be able to find a balance between security and performance.
  6. Temporary Disablement: As a test, you could temporarily disable Norton's real-time protection and see if there's a noticeable improvement in performance. Be cautious when doing this, and only do it as a diagnostic step.
  7. Uninstall and Test: If you suspect Norton is causing the slowdown, you can try uninstalling it temporarily to see if your Mac's performance improves. This can help determine if Norton is indeed the cause.
  8. Contact Norton Support: If you continue to experience performance issues, you might want to reach out to Norton's customer support. They might be able to provide guidance specific to their software and your setup.

It's worth noting that macOS has built-in security features that provide protection against malware and other threats. You might consider using macOS's built-in security tools and features instead of third-party antivirus software, especially if it's causing significant performance issues.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

2017 Mac OS Monterey 12.6.7

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