Is Norton software necessary?

My school offers Microsoft Essentials to protect students computers for free. Now I have a Mac, is it necessary to buy any of the Norton software to protect my computer.

No. In fact AV software generally creates more problems than it solves. There are no viruses for the Mac in the wild. Mac OS X comes with a faceless app for basic protection, anyway.
Most Mac users that do have AV software installed do it as a precaution for their Windows using friends, so as not to accidentally transfer a Windows virus thru file exchange or email.
Bottom line, you don't need it and don't install it and especially don't pay for it.

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