Advice Request Looking for advice for new Desktop I will get. (Soon I hope.)

[Ink]

But I already have a question or two about Norton 360 Deluxe. It comes with unlimited use VPN. Maybe not the best, but still of better use to me then the so-called VPN that comes with BD Total Security. (A whopping 200mb a day! so take it out already, Bitdefender, who are you kidding here.)

But my question about the Norton VPN is this, when I use it, is it compatible with NextDNS? I think I read somewhere that it could cause issues between the two, but I am not certain. Also, once I have Norton 360 Deluxe installed, are there Windows functions that I do not need to use or activate? (Just want to be careful.)

Read the small print before installing, and iirc deleting a Norton account is impossible.

Unpopular Opinion
Don't be an idiot and use all their online services if you don't need to. Grabbing what seems to a be FREE license might not be worth it. Your PC (up to 5 devices) will only be covered for the next 12 months and your renewal premium could be $15 or $50. It's even worse if you opt-in to use all those additional online services, as migrating away may not be plain sailing.

SOME EXAMPLES

• Bitwarden user? No need for Norton Password Manager
• Not a VPN user? No need for Norton Secure VPN
• Got an external HDD? No need for 50GB Cloud Backup
• Google One subscriber? No need for Dark Web Monitoring

Here are a few Norton Secure VPN reviews:

• VPNMentor review (2023)
• TechRadar review (2022)
• PCMag review (2022)
• CNET Article (2022)

Use web search to find other users feedback about other Norton products and services and problems they have experienced.

I do not have experience with NextDNS, no comment.

 

[CyberTech]

Seriously, no one has any advice for me on this?

First of all, what you use VPN for? for free, Windscribe 10GB monthly as rest and ProtonVPN unlimited but only has 3 servers.

 

[Morro]

Read the small print before installing, and iirc deleting a Norton account is impossible.

Unpopular Opinion
Don't be an idiot and use all their online services if you don't need to. Grabbing what seems to a be FREE license might not be worth it. Your PC (up to 5 devices) will only be covered for the next 12 months and your renewal premium could be $15 or $50. It's even worse if you opt-in to use all those additional online services, as migrating away may not be plain sailing.

SOME EXAMPLES

• Bitwarden user? No need for Norton Password Manager
• Not a VPN user? No need for Norton Secure VPN
• Got an external HDD? No need for 50GB Cloud Backup
• Google One subscriber? No need for Dark Web Monitoring

Here are a few Norton Secure VPN reviews:

• VPNMentor review (2023)
• TechRadar review (2022)
• PCMag review (2022)
• CNET Article (2022)

Use web search to find other users feedback about other Norton products and services and problems they have experienced.

I do not have experience with NextDNS, no comment.

@Ink

Wow, even though I believe that Norton 360 Deluxe is a great protection suite, I am now a lot more inclined to not install it and go the same way as with my current PC. I had not thought about the costs of everything together in their 360 Deluxe Suite when next year comes. Guess MS Defender and Firewall, plus other changes, are back on the menu. But I will try to improve on it where possible, like trying to harden Windows more where I can. (And also understand.)

@CyberTech

I was planning to use the VPN for Online banking. But I can find other ways to protect my online banking.

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

@Ink

Wow, even though I believe that Norton 360 Deluxe is a great protection suite, I am now a lot more inclined to not install it and go the same way as with my current PC. I had not thought about the costs of everything together in their 360 Deluxe Suite when next year comes. Guess MS Defender and Firewall, plus other changes, are back on the menu. But I will try to improve on it where possible, like trying to harden Windows more where I can. (And also understand.)

@CyberTech

I was planning to use the VPN for Online banking. But I can find other ways to protect my online banking.

Edge has it now for free see Discussion Thread - Microsoft Edge Stable (Chromium) Now Available for Download

 

[Morro]

@Max90

Thank you very much for showing that.

 

[eonline]

Hi, do you have a modem/router with Wi-Fi 6 support?

 

[Morro]

My ISP provided one does not have it I think.

 

[ForgottenSeer 103564]

My ISP provided one does not have it I think.

I would personally make it a habit to never discuss what type of modem/router i have openly or with anyone else on the internet. From a security standpoint. Default gateway IP's are not hard to find. Its just good practice to not divulge too much.

 

[Morro]

I would personally make it a habit to never discuss what type of modem/router i have openly or with anyone else on the internet. From a security standpoint. Default gateway IP's are not hard to find. Its just good practice to not divulge too much.

Thank you for the warning and in that case could you please remove the part I removed from my post?

 

[eonline]

My ISP provided one does not have it I think.

If you buy a motherboard with Wi-Fi 6 (?) support, I suppose you consider get a router with Wi-Fi 6. Better speed and security.

 

[partha_roy]

I was planning to use the VPN for Online banking. But I can find other ways to protect my online banking.

McAfee's web/site advisor works really well; you could use it to mitigate the phishing attempts; other than that, banking sites would probably use https and so any exchange of information would be secure anyway

 

[Morro]

If you buy a motherboard with Wi-Fi 6 (?) support, I suppose you consider get a router with Wi-Fi 6. Better speed and security.

Maybe one day, but the problem is that if I buy a new router myself, then I lose all help from my ISP provider. (At least I seem to remember them saying that.) And I have asked them twice already this year if they could swap my old one out for their latest version, but they keep saying that my current one is still working perfectly, so... no deal.

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

You could buy a wifi6 router and put the routet of your ISP in bridge mode. After setting up my own router I used to disable the Wifi networks of my ISP router and call them. Normally your new wifi network works also when ISP router is not in bridge mode. My ISP used to set routers in bridge overnight, but last time it took only 1 hour.

 

[Morro]

You could buy a wifi6 router and put the routet of your ISP in bridge mode.

Hmm, that would be an idea for the nearby future, thank you.

 

[ForgottenSeer 100397]

@Morro

Here are some suggestions for setting up your system:
- Do a clean install of the OS using a bootable USB.
- Consider creating a separate partition for personal files.
- Adjust features yourself in Windows Settings, Group Policy, Services, and other settings. (I recommend not using any software or scripts.)
- Use Hasleo Backup Suite for imaging software. (This software is reliable and has a neat interface. It's free imaging software, so if you’re interested, check it out.)
- Avoid installing security software solely based on a free license or its popularity or recommendation. Instead, test different software and setups to find the one that meets your security needs and preferences.
- Keep your security setup simple and avoid unnecessary software or extensions.

* I suggest creating a backup at every point. First, install backup software after clean installing Windows. Run the first or full backup with the required features for restoration. Backup once after Windows Updates and again after customization, and so on. This way, you won’t lose much or have to start over in case of any issues while setting up your system.
* I access email and banking on my personal system only with my home connection or mobile hotspot. I’m not sure how these services work in your country. If I use a VPN with these services, they detect suspicious connections or require verification steps, which can be a hassle. So, I choose not to use a VPN to avoid any issues.

 

[SpyNetGirl]

Hi,
I suggest changing the CPU from Intel i9 11900K to i7 13700k (and the motherboard accordingly)
newer generation, more features (specially in terms of security and vulnerabilities) and it will last longer.

 

[Morro]

Hi,
I suggest changing the CPU from Intel i9 11900K to i7 13700k (and the motherboard accordingly)
newer generation, more features (specially in terms of security and vulnerabilities) and it will last longer.

Well, the PC is already ordered, so I can not change things anymore.

 

[Morro]

Well, I just found an e-mail with my tracking code for my new PC, so it should be here in a day or two.

And just in time, I also got an order delivered today. Two new USB sticks, (As if that is big news. ) but more importantly, my 2 Yubico Passkeys. I was able to register them both on my Google account already, and the rest I will have to see once my new PC is completely setup.

 

[Ink]

McAfee's web/site advisor works really well; you could use it to mitigate the phishing attempts; other than that, banking sites would probably use https and so any exchange of information would be secure anyway

Being sensible also helps. Modern browsers are equipped with Google Safe Browsing which provides reasonable passive protection. Content blockers such as Adguard and uBlock can block known unsafe domains.

Some browsers have typo-squatting protection.

Having important sites bookmarked, or URLs saved in your Password Manager Notes (without saving login info) can prove its usefulness over relying on a search engine - which can occasionally provide unsafe results.

I would recommend Mobile banking over Internet banking where possible, on a device that's trusted, up to date and without TikTok or other random, social media or AI apps.

 

[SumTingWong]

Well, I just found an e-mail with my tracking code for my new PC, so it should be here in a day or two.

And just in time, I also got an order delivered today. Two new USB sticks, (As if that is big news. ) but more importantly, my 2 Yubico Passkeys. I was able to register them both on my Google account already, and the rest I will have to see once my new PC is completely setup.

How is norton 360?