Macbook air shutting down on its own several times a day after Norton Installation

[Dreablogger]

hello,

i'm not tech savy whatsoever. I started a blog with wordpress and I heard of people getting hacked and their information being sold on the dark web. I'd NEVER had issues with my MacBook as I don't download anything, it's only used for writing and homework, wordpress is pretty much the only site I use. I was advised to install anti-virus program just in case and since then, my MacBook has had weird shut downs several times a day, causing me to LOSE MY WORK!

This grey screen will pop up saying something like, "Your computer restarted because of a problem. Press a key or wait a few seconds to continue starting up."

I'm worried that either it's the Norton Security thing and I should possibly uninstall it OR it has something to do with wordpress? Has anyone had similar issues? Should I uninstall it?

 

[AZhappyjack]

hello,

i'm not tech savy whatsoever. I started a blog with wordpress and I heard of people getting hacked and their information being sold on the dark web. I'd NEVER had issues with my MacBook as I don't download anything, it's only used for writing and homework, wordpress is pretty much the only site I use. I was advised to install anti-virus program just in case and since then, my MacBook has had weird shut downs several times a day, causing me to LOSE MY WORK!

This grey screen will pop up saying something like, "Your computer restarted because of a problem. Press a key or wait a few seconds to continue starting up."

I'm worried that either it's the Norton Security thing and I should possibly uninstall it OR it has something to do with wordpress? Has anyone had similar issues? Should I uninstall it?

Ditch the Norton crapware. You don't need it and it's garbage, IMO. Remove it and download a copy of Malware Bytes... you can run free scans on your system from time to time... you don't need the "real time" protection (it's a subscription update)... the free version is plenty. Scan your MBA from time to time for malware and be done with it.

 

[Fusion79]

Ditch the Norton crapware. You don't need it and it's garbage, IMO. Remove it and download a copy of Malware Bytes... you can run free scans on your system from time to time... you don't need the "real time" protection (it's a subscription update)... the free version is plenty. Scan your MBA from time to time for malware and be done with it.

I work in cybersecurity for a financial firm and I endorse this. Norton is crap.

 

[Dhonk]

I'm no expert, but from my Windows days I can say Norton was the #1 resource hog on my machines. So glad to be done with them.

 

[deeddawg]

Norton software is crap.

Although macs are not immune to malware of course, they tend to be less susceptible. That said, the greatest source of vulnerability sits between the chair and keyboard.

 

[SamTomlinson]

I heard that Macs dont require any Anti-Virus etc at all.
Is this true? having been use to Windows all my life and waiting for delivery of my first Mac, im wondering whether to install an AV or just run something like Malware Bytes regularly?

 

[AZhappyjack]

I heard that Macs dont require any Anti-Virus etc at all.
Is this true? having been use to Windows all my life and waiting for delivery of my first Mac, im wondering whether to install an AV or just run something like Malware Bytes regularly?

For the most part, yes it's true. But there is a difference between a 'virus' and 'malware'. As long as you are careful (not clicking links you don't know/trust, don't do porn or other sketchy sites), you don't need any kind of active protection. Again, get a copy of Malware Bytes and run manual scans somewhat regularly, and you should be good.

 

[johannnn]

Uninstall the Norton crap and get something from Objective-See, I recommend BlockBlock.

 

[kreasonos]

I work in cybersecurity for a financial firm and I endorse this. Norton is crap.

What do you recommend?

 

[Siriosys]

FWIW, I've worked 25+ years in the IT sector and endorse the idea that Norton's products have pretty much become bloatware for consumer computers. Additionally, I've owned Apple gear since circa 2007 and have never used any AV or Anti-malware products on my machines.

It's important to understand the differences between "Viruses" and "Malware" threats and how the two different problems are treated by the Software vendors such as Symantec (Norton), McAfee (Intel), and MalwareBytes.

Viruses pretty much still work along the same lines they always have and their antidotes primarily rely on the detection of them through signatures.

Malware conversely, is more prevalent nowadays and tends to pose the greater risk and does not rely on signatures for detection, but a combination of behavioural changes with software and threat-intelligence - such as knowing the IP addresses of Hosts that control various cyber-threats such as Bots etc.

From a computer standpoint, Apple have done most of the hard work in what we refer to as "hardening" of OSX and reducing the attack surface from potential hacking or other "cyber-threats". Thus making your Mac considerably safer than let's say a Windows PC.

My advice would be as follows:

• Remove Norton AV.
• Always keep your Mac up to date with Apple's OSX updates.
• Additionally, if you want to be even more cautious, only install software from the Apple Mac Apps Store or the larger more prominent vendors, such as Adobe, VMware etc etc.
• Lastly, always have Backups of your Data - use the 3-2-1 Principle
  • Keep at least three (3) copies of your data, and
  • Store two (2) backup copies on different storage media, with
  • One (1) of them located offsite.

If you are still feeling a little anxious, there's pretty much only one product I'd suggest you could try which has been mentioned above - MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. You don't need to buy it and you certainly don't need to have it running all the time. A scan every now and then is more than enough but not necessary.

 

[Built]

Dump the Norton bloatware. You don’t need it with iOS. I wouldn’t go anywhere near it even on my Windows machines.

 

[WilliamDu]

I've been using Apple Hardware since the Little Mac in '84 and am embarrassed to say I spent some bucks on Norton before I learned better some years ago and dumped it. Agree with all above, it's bloatware and Malwarebytes all do a good job for you,

 

[Fusion79]

What do you recommend?

Honestly Malwarebytes is what we suggest to clients. Phishing and spoofing are the biggest problems for the average user at this time. The vast majority of our account takeovers are caused by clients clicking on a link in an email they think is from us and then entering the userID, password, and personal info on the malicious site rather than ours. Now the fraudsters have the info to not only take over their account here, but at a lot of other places since people reuse credentials. Malware is often also installed on the machine this way, or through visiting malicious websites that are usually of a seedy nature.

My advice to protect yourself.

1. Keep up with software updates on your computer, smartphone, ect. Also, if you don't use Safari, make sure your browser of choice is kept up to date. Do not use devices and OS's online that are end of life and no longer receive security updates.

2. Stick to official app stores or well known trusted vendors for software downloads and updates.

3. Do not reuse credentials, especially on sensitive sites like financial, health care, ect. Use a password manager if needed and frequently change passwords. That way if you are the victim of a data breach or if somehow fraudsters get the credentials for one site, they then can't hit multiple sites.

4. Never access sensitive accounts like banks, health care, ect through email links. If you get an email from your bank, for example, asking you to take action in your account, go to the website directly and login. Firms following good practice should never ask you to access your account through an email link.

5. Never click on random links in emails. If you friend sends you an email saying "look at this house", or "you won't believe this!" or something like that, their email account is likely hacked, and the link they sent you is malware. If it seems strange, it probably is.

The main idea is use common sense and you will be fine. Don't click on random links, you didn't randomly win an iPad, and use good password management practices, and you will be fine.

 

[WilliamDu]

Honestly Malwarebytes is what we suggest to clients. Phishing and spoofing are the biggest problems for the average user at this time. The vast majority of our account takeovers are caused by clients clicking on a link in an email they think is from us and then entering the userID, password, and personal info on the malicious site rather than ours. Now the fraudsters have the info to not only take over their account here, but at a lot of other places since people reuse credentials. Malware is often also installed on the machine this way, or through visiting malicious websites that are usually of a seedy nature.

My advice to protect yourself.

1. Keep up with software updates on your computer, smartphone, ect. Also, if you don't use Safari, make sure your browser of choice is kept up to date. Do not use devices and OS's online that are end of life and no longer receive security updates.

2. Stick to official app stores or well known trusted vendors for software downloads and updates.

3. Do not reuse credentials, especially on sensitive sites like financial, health care, ect. Use a password manager if needed and frequently change passwords. That way if you are the victim of a data breach or if somehow fraudsters get the credentials for one site, they then can't hit multiple sites.

4. Never access sensitive accounts like banks, health care, ect through email links. If you get an email from your bank, for example, asking you to take action in your account, go to the website directly and login. Firms following good practice should never ask you to access your account through an email link.

5. Never click on random links in emails. If you friend sends you an email saying "look at this house", or "you won't believe this!" or something like that, their email account is likely hacked, and the link they sent you is malware. If it seems strange, it probably is.

The main idea is use common sense and you will be fine. Don't click on random links, you didn't randomly win an iPad, and use good password management practices, and you will be fine.

Great stuff, and I'm even getting junk from my wife's email address. She passed away over a year ago.