How to Update Norton on Mac

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Norton Antivirus is a well-known security software that many people use to protect their computers. On a Mac, updating Norton is an important task as it ensures that your antivirus software has the latest definitions and features needed to protect your computer from viruses and malware. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to update Norton on a Mac, making sure you understand every step in detail.

1. Understanding the importance of updating Norton

Before we dive into the update process, let us first understand why it is important to keep Norton Antivirus updated:

• Protection from new threats: Cyber threats are constantly evolving. By updating Norton, you ensure that your antivirus software can detect and neutralize the latest threats.
• Improved performance: Updates often include performance enhancements, which can make your software run smoother and faster.
• Bug fixes: Updates fix any bugs or glitches present in previous versions, thereby increasing the reliability of the software.
• New Features: With each update, Norton may introduce new features that improve the overall security and functionality of the software.

2. Prerequisites to update Norton on Mac

Before you start the update process, make sure the following prerequisites are met:

• Stable Internet connection: Updates are usually downloaded from the Internet, so make sure you have a reliable connection.
• Active subscription: Your Norton subscription must be active and not expired. If it has expired, you may need to renew it to download updates.
• Free disk space: Check if there is enough free space on your Mac to hold the update files.
• Mac compatibility: Make sure your Mac version is compatible with the Norton software version you are using.

3. Steps to update Norton on Mac

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to update Norton on your Mac:

Step 1: Launching Norton

The first step is to open the Norton application on your Mac. You can do this in several ways:

• From Finder: Click Finder on the Dock, go to the "Applications" folder, and then double-click the Norton app icon.
• From Launchpad: Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock and search for Norton. Click the icon to open it.
• Using Spotlight: Press Command + Spacebar to bring up Spotlight, type “Norton”, and press Enter.

Step 2: Sign in (if necessary)

If you haven't signed in to your Norton account yet, you may be asked to do so. Enter your Norton account credentials to sign in. This step may be required to verify your subscription status.

Step 3: Checking for Updates

Once you're in the Norton application, you'll need to check for any available updates. Here's how:

• Locate the menu: Go to the menu bar at the top of your screen where you will see options like "Help", "Norton" and "File".
• Find the update option: Click the "Norton" menu and select "LiveUpdate" from the dropdown list. This command will begin checking for any new updates available for your software.

Norton will contact its servers and check for any available updates. During this process, it is important to maintain a stable internet connection.

Step 4: Downloading updates

If updates are available, Norton will prompt you to download them:

• Start download: Click the "Download" button to begin downloading the update to your system.
• Monitor the progress: Usually a progress bar will appear, showing the status of the download. Be patient as this process may take some time depending on the size of the update and the speed of your internet connection.

Step 5: Installing updates

Once the updates are downloaded, they will need to be installed:

• Begin the installation: After downloading, Norton will prompt you to install the update. Click "Install" to begin.
• Follow the prompts: Follow any instructions on the screen. You may be asked to close other applications or restart your computer to complete the installation process.
• Restart if necessary: If a restart is necessary, save any ongoing tasks and restart your computer to complete the update.

4. Verifying the update

After installing the update, it's a good idea to verify that Norton has updated successfully:

• Open Norton. Relaunch the Norton application if it isn't already open.
• Check the version number: Usually, under the "About" section in the Norton menu, you can see the version number. Compare it with the latest version available on the Norton website to make sure it is up to date.
• Run a quick scan: Run a quick scan on your system to make sure all components are working correctly. This will ensure you that the recently installed updates are active.

5. Troubleshooting common problems

Sometimes, problems may arise during the update process. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Internet connectivity issues: Ensure a stable internet connection. If Wi-Fi is unreliable, try using a wired connection.
• Installation failed: Make sure no other application is interfering with the installation. Restart your device and try the update process again.
• Not getting updates: If Live Updates shows no updates, verify your subscription status. If the subscription has expired, renew your subscription.
• Recurring error messages: Note the error messages and search for them on the Norton Support page or contact Norton Customer Support for assistance.

6. Setting up automatic updates

To simplify the process, consider setting up automatic updates:

• Open Norton Settings: Navigate to Norton Settings within the application.
• Enable automatic updates: View the update settings and enable automatic updates. This ensures that Norton checks for and installs updates automatically without requiring manual intervention.
• Be sure to check regularly: Even with automatic updates, check manually occasionally to make sure your software is updating as expected.

7. Conclusions

Keeping Norton's antivirus software updated on your Mac is an essential practice to avoid various cyber threats. With this guide, you should not only be well-versed in the process of updating Norton on Mac, but also understand why it's important and how to troubleshoot common problems. Regular updates, a keen eye on your software version, and occasional manual checks can greatly enhance your device's security and performance as well as provide peace of mind.

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