Did your device come preloaded with antivirus software? Or perhaps you downloaded Norton Antivirus or Malwarebytes a few years ago. Are you asking yourself, “Is my antivirus active?” It’s worthwhile checking if your protection is up to date. If your antivirus has expired or requires updating, then your devices may be vulnerable.
We get a lot of customers asking, “Do I need antivirus on my Mac?” Or “Do phones need antivirus?” It’s important to keep all of your devices and important files protected. So, read on to learn how you can check if your antivirus is active. Please note that you will need an internet connection to renew your subscription and activate your antivirus.
Why should I check if my antivirus is active?
New devices often come with trial versions of popular antivirus software. Once these trials expire, your device may no longer be protected. Or perhaps the version installed was a limited free offering that doesn’t run constant scans on your device. If that is the case, your computer could be at risk!
Maybe you never activated your antivirus software because “Macs don’t get viruses” or “it already has Windows Defender installed”. Mac users should still use premium antivirus software for an extra layer of protection. The same can be said for those with Windows devices. While Windows Defender is pre-installed, more robust protection is recommended. It offers better safeguarding against Zero-day attacks and constant background scans to keep your device protected around the clock.
Watch out for antivirus renewal scams!
It’s great to ensure your antivirus subscription is active. But always be wary of pop-ups or emails either pushing you to renew or claiming a renewal has been processed and paid for.
Always verify the sender’s address and verify your subscription details by opening the antivirus app on your device and looking at your subscription details. Usually, these will be found in the account section of the app.
Alternatively, you can check your account and subscription details through the antivirus website. Avoid the sponsored results at the top of the page and find the genuine website.
Do not click links in unexpected emails and avoid providing personal details, payment information or login credentials, except via the application if possible.
How do I check if my Malwarebytes antivirus is active?
Malwarebytes makes it easy to see if your antivirus is active. Simply open up the application, and if your antivirus protection is no longer active a pop-up message should appear. If that isn’t the case for you, there should be an “Activate subscription” button on the top banner of the application window.
If you can see that button, or any of the features have a lock icon with Upgrade then you are running the free version. This is fine if that’s all you want, but….
You aren’t getting any of the benefits of antivirus software, which you likely need. No 24/7 antivirus and anti-malware protection, no rootkit protection, ad blocking or phishing protection. All of this leaves your device vulnerable.
If you decide you’d like to activate the Malwarebytes premium antivirus protection, simply tap Activate Subscriptio,n then Sign in using your login details or create an account if you haven’t already. Alternatively, you can choose to activate your subscription using a license key we provide. Simply renew your subscription via the GeekShop and your renewal code will be emailed to you.
Norton: Is my antivirus active?
Norton Antivirus is another popular anti-malware software that comes with a free trial pre-installed on many devices sold by large retailers. If your free trial has expired or you haven’t renewed your subscription, your device may be vulnerable.
Unless you’ve chosen another premium antivirus software, then it’s a great idea to activate or renew your antivirus subscription.
If you need to activate your Norton antivirus on a Windows or Mac, simply open your Norton device security. Click Activate Now or Subscribe, then sign in to your Norton account and follow the steps to Select the license > Enter a key. If you don’t have an existing subscription, click Buy a subscription. Instructions for activating a subscription via a mobile device can be found on the Norton site.
There are two ways to renew an expired Norton Subscription. Via the application is the first method. Simply open your Norton application, then on the main window, click Renew or Renew Now. Follow the instructions to make a secure payment.
The other way to renew your antivirus subscription is to renew it from your account via the Norton website. Sign in to your account, in the My Subscriptions tab, click Subscribe Now next to the subscription that you want to renew. Then follow the payment instructions.
Now you can rest easy knowing your antivirus is active and working to protect you and your device.
Renewing my McAfee antivirus: How to
McAfee is another popular antivirus software that often comes preinstalled on devices. So how can you verify your subscription? Or even activate or renew an expired subscription.
Firstly, you’ll want to verify if your subscription is active. To do this on a Windows device, find your McAfee icon in the task bar and right-click, then select verify subscription from the menu. You can also check within the app. Open your McAfee app, Click Account, then select My Subscription. Here, you will be able to find details of your subscription status and when it will expire.
Similarly to Norton or Malwarebytes, you can also check your subscription details via the web. Visit myaccount.mcafee.com and Sign in using your registered email and password and Click Subscriptions to see the details. This will include your expiration date, product info and purchase history all in one place.
If your subscription has expired simply click renew and enter your payment details to ensure you stay protected. If you need to activate a new subscription, it’s just as simple.
Head to mcafee.com/activate and redeem your product key. Then, you’ll need to enter the unique product key found on your Retail Card or eCard. After you’ve done this, it’s just a matter of following the onscreen instructions to download and install your McAfee security application.
An active antivirus subscription is often the only layer of defence you and your devices have against malware and other malicious files. An inactive antivirus subscription is like having a security alarm that isn’t plugged in. If you’re struggling to activate your antivirus subscription or would like some help with staying safe online, call Geeks on Wheels today.
