Online (LIVE) Tracking? Evil?

So, here I am minding my own business...When a NEW kind of Norton popup appeared...informing me that 3 separate entities (on 2 different websites) are tracking my movements online (and, for a fee, Norton has the solution to my problem)!

I have, by and large, ignored the Norton (for some extra money) popups (in particular data broker profiles), yet recently some malware landed on my HP laptop (and spread out), hence I pay closer attention to cybersecurity.

I have not been using VPN, that comes included with Norton 360, for that long (I don't expect a VPN to be ALMIGHTY).

Is this Norton HELP feature with Online Trackers a absolute necessity (as, for instance, VPN)?

Is this the NEW normal...people chasing other people online? Can one quantify as to just how common this really is?

Following a rather lousy weekend ("If it can go wrong it will!" Murphy's Law).

I thank you in advance for having read my humble post plus, of course, ALL well-meaning advice and info!