Norton AntiVirus - Getting Started

The original Norton AntiVirus has been discontinued and now replaced by Norton AntiVirus Plus. The latest antivirus and security product for multiple devices is Norton 360.

Getting Started with Norton AntiVirus

Having reliable, around-the-clock computer protection to safeguard a machine from hackers, scammers and viruses is critical in this day and age. That’s why so many people turn to Norton AntiVirus for assistance. This software package is considered an industry leader when it comes to real-time, up-to-date protection.

Buyers who select Norton AntiVirus download will find they have several installation options – CD, direct download and USB. Once the program is properly installed on a machine, there are a few other things buyers may want to consider.

 

Getting the Program Running

Once Norton AntiVirus is installed on a machine, it will provide constant protection without any special steps being required. Some users, however, may find they want to adjust settings or take steps to perform preventative maintenance on their computers.

Norton AntiVirus makes it fairly easy to do this. To get started, users will need to know how to open the main window for the Norton AntiVirus program. There are two possible ways to do so:

• Go to the Windows notification area or the desktop and click on the Norton AntiVirus icon. Some users may choose to place a Norton icon directly on their desktops, which does make accessing the program much easier.
• Go into the Windows taskbar and click on Start – All Programs – Norton AntiVirus – Norton AntiVirus. This will also open the main window for controlling the Norton AntiVirus program.

 

Activating Norton AntiVirus

While most users will activate their copies of Norton AntiVirus during the installation process, some choose to bypass this step for a time. They will find, however, that Norton will require them to do so at some point. The program, in fact, will send alerts to users until they do successfully activate the product. Failure to activate the program after a certain period of time can cause the software to stop working entirely. This means it just makes sense to take the steps to activate and get this out of the way so full enjoyment of the program can be had.

Perhaps the easiest way to activate after the fact is by following the prompts directly from the alert page. To activate from the product alert, do these things:

• From the alert window – If a subscription version has been purchased, just click on “Activate Now.” Those who need to renew their subscriptions only need to select “Renew now.”
• Just click OK for the desired function – renew or activate.
• Once “OK” has been clicked, follow on-screen prompts and then click “Done.”

Norton AntiVirus users can also activate their programs from the main window. Just open the window using the steps previously described and click on either “Activate Now” or “Renew,” depending on the need.

Norton purchasers can also activate or renew subscriptions from their Norton account on the Norton website. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

 

Creating a Norton Account

Creating a Norton account is a very good idea for a few reasons. First off, the account will store product keys and billing information. It is also very easy to register products directly from an account page. Other benefits include:

• Easy access to product keys and information
• Gaining the ability to reinstall Norton products if necessary
• Gaining the ability to buy additional product keys instantly
• Having access to download latest product versions through the Norton Update Center
• Saving online orders and updating billing information is easier when an account is created

To create a Norton Account, just connect to the Internet and either click on “Account” from the Norton AntiVirus main window or go to the account page on the Norton site. From here, click on “Sign up now” and follow the prompts.

 

Understanding the Main Window

The main window is the user interface for Norton Antivirus. Once it is opened, users will be able to explore:

• Settings – This lets users see their Computer, Network and Miscellaneous settings.
• Performance – This gives users the ability to see and monitor system activity.
• Feedback – This handy feature enables users to easily provide feedback to Norton about their experiences with the product.
• Account – This enables users to manage their product information from a single location.
• Support – If there is a problem, this will give users access to Norton’s Help Center and other valuable resources.

The main window also provides users access to a category pane that offers insights about:

• Computer Protection – This screen will help users secure their data from potential threats.
• Network protection – This provides a layer of protection for an entire network.

At the very bottom of the main window, users will see the Norton AntiVirus Control Center. This is where they can see an activity map for worldwide cybercrimes and threats. It also provides easy access to Norton’s online backup.

 

Understanding Status Indicators

From time to time, Norton AntiVirus users may notice System Status indicator changes at the top of the main window. There are three that should be noted:

• Secure – This tells a user that a machine is being protected.
• Attention – This indicates that something may be amiss with operations and that steps might be required to improve protection levels.
• At-Risk – This tells a user that a computer is at risk and requires immediate attention to fix protection status.

The Main Window enables users to easily respond to status messages. Just go to the Control Center and click “Fix Now” and then follow the instructions.

 

Getting Help

The way how Norton AntiVirus works makes it easy for users to gain assistance if they need it. Just look at the top of the Main Window for the work “Support.” Click here and a drop-down menu will appear. From this menu, users can search for the assistance they require.

 

Norton AntiVirus was designed for easy operation. Getting started is simple and the Main Window will provide all the assistance links users need to get the most out of their purchase.

 

 

« Back to the Norton Resource Center