"Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" Removal

by Milena Dimitrova | March 30, 2021 | 0 Comments

What Is “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update”?Threat Summary Remove “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update”

What Is “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update”?

“Norton Antivirus 2021 Update” is a tech-support scam stemming from the secure.protect-pc-plus.xyz website. The scam message may appear as a pop-up or open up as a new page in the browser. Similar to other such scams, “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update” claims to be coming from an independent affiliate of the legitimate Norton Antivirus security company.

Its only purpose is to trick you into thinking your system is infected by “Malware and Viruses.” Anything that the page says should be neglected, and as a precaution you may want to check your system for potentially unwanted programs. Performing a security check of your system is highly advisable if you have clicked on the button provided by the “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update” message. Tech-support scams have a long history of promoting rogue anti-malware and anti-virus products that can be classified as potentially unwanted programs.

As you can see, the Web is full of various types of scams. You should keep your software and operating system up-to-date, and as an additional security measure, we also recommend installing a trustworthy anti-malware program.

Threat Summary

Name	"Norton Antivirus 2021 Update"
Type	Tech Support Scam
Short Description	A tech support scam that is trying to scare you that you have an issue.
Symptoms	The message may freeze your screen. Pop-up boxes, messages, and redirects appear in your browser.
Distribution Method	Unsafe Browsing, Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool

“Norton Antivirus 2021 Update” – More Details
This is what the fake message claims:

Norton Antivirus 2021 Update
Due to recent reports of Malware and Viruses, Norton has released an Antivirus update.
Computers without the Antivirus, could be exposed to viruses and slower performance.
Clean and improve the performance of your Computer now. No computer restart is required.

The page also features a button that says “Click here to enable now,” suggesting that clicking the button will activate the Norton security program.

Did you know?
Usually, to appear trustworthy, scammers use the names of popular companies such as Microsoft and Apple. Keep in mind that no legitimate company, Norton included, utilizes pop-ups to warn you of any virus or malware. This is just a scareware approach trying to trick you into performing a specific action. In this case, you’re urged to click a button to activate a security program.

The web is full of suspicious, scamming web pages promoting tech-support scams. Furthermore, freeware installation packages may also be bundled with rogue security products that generate pop-ups such as “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update”.

Scamming pop-up messages all sound quite the same, and tend to have something in common. They all rely on legitimate companies to sound trustworthy, but you shouldn’t be tricked. The end goal of scammers is always the same – they aim to obtain financial and personal data from you, and eventually steal your money. In a nutshell, always be vigilant with pop-ups that contain the following details:

The names of legitimate organizations like Microsoft and Norton
Technical support phone numbers stated to be toll free
Urgent warnings about critical security issues

Remove “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update”

Before actually getting to the point of removal, you may find yourself in need of closing your browser first. To do so, you can try these steps valid for Windows systems:

Step 1: Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Step 2: Open Task Manager.
Step 3: Right-Click on your browser’s exe file (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) and click on End Process. If this doesn’t work, right-click again and click on End Process Tree.

After you have done this, you should follow the removal instructions below the article, and remove the unwanted program causing the “Norton Antivirus 2021 Update” pop-ups either manually or automatically. As recommended by security experts, you should scan your computer using an anti-malware program. Such a program will fully remove any intrusive programs and malware that may currently be residing on your PC.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

Follow Me:

Guide 1: How to Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update"

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update":

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update". If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update". Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update". If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update", the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update":

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.