New update Oct 28 removed functions

[bmgordon]

New update installed itself today, Oct 28, and the none of my Microsoft 365 Office apps would open. Had to reboot 3 times. Now Outlook opens but the Antispam is gone. Also, my backups are gone. I had them backing up to my local external hard drive. WHY did they take this away?

[bjm]

@bmgordon

Now Outlook opens but the Antispam is gone.

Hello @bmgordon

• Email Protection – this feature now works for any email client, not just Outlook (Windows only). We have removed the Anti-Spam functionality because we weren’t able to provide the correct level of user experience we wanted. This only applies to the spam filter itself. The rest of the email security features have been retained in Email Protection.

https://us.norton.com/new-norton-app

Introducing Norton Security v.24!
[…]
Email Protection: Checks for dangerous attachments and other security threats on all supported email programs.

https://community.norton.com/t/introducing-norton-security-v-24/240532

Learn more about Email Protection [here]

===================================================

SPAMfighter Standard is 100% free for home users
Spam Filter for Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail

https://www.spamfighter.com/SPAMfighter/Product_Info.asp

[bjm]

@bmgordon

Also, my backups are gone. I had them backing up to my local external hard drive.

Hello @bmgordon
Norton Social Support via x.com/Norton… advises 27-Oct-2024

Sorry to inform you Norton 360 v24.10.9535 does not have function to backup external drive.

I am sorry to inform you that if you wish to backup external hard drive then you need to download the old version of Norton…however, in new version of Norton we are working on it.

If you wish to download the old Norton version in this case, kindly get in touch with our technical experts by calling on these numbers: 18007456061 or 18007456034, they will surely help you by looking into this matter and taking remote access only if required.

[David_Lobue]

I had the same local backup problem and phoned the number provided. They sent me the link to downoad the old version. Now, how do I keep Live Update from downloading and installing the new version every time it updates my virus definitions, etc?

[SoulAsylum]

@David_Lobue Disable Automatic Updates in settings. Keep in mind that this will also prevent ALL updates from installing. Including virus definitions, etc. Its a catch 22 actually where the new version will be pushed back to you one way or another regardless.

SA

[bmgordon]

I guess we have to decide if we want to risk getting a virus by not having latest virus definitions. I don’t understand why they pushed out a new version that is missing the backup to local drive and the AddIn for Outlook. DUMB!

[David_Lobue]

Thanks everyone for your insight. Just FYI, I disabled automatic updates immediately after the new (old) install. I’ve been doing manual updates and hitting the “cancel” button after virus defs and updates download and install but BEFORE it starts looking for product updates. It works, but it is really clunky and time consuming; not to mention that you have to be really quick on the cancel button.

[David_Lobue]

But to piggyback on bmgordon’s comment: Is it worth it? This is not what I expect from a product that costs me so much and requires so much more of my devices’ resources, compared to other similar products. I worked in and around the military’s Information Protect/Attack communities in San Antonio for many years. So I know the product is good. But again, I expected better from Norton.

[Ruben]

If it is more convenient for you, definitions only can be downloaded here:

Security Center Download Detail

To choose the correct definition set, you need to know the product name and version, and whether the operating system is a 32-bit or 64-bit version.

No elegant solution, but there should at least be no danger of being upgraded by accident.