Norton 360 Review: Is It Worth It?
Norton 360 Review
Is Norton 360 the ultimate cybersecurity solution? Is Norton 360 safe? In this Norton 360 review, we'll go over all its features, its cons, its pros, and hopefully help you figure out whether or not this all-in-one solution is worth your money.
Background And History
Norton 360 is a product developed by NortonLifeLock.
NortonLifeLock is a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety. The team believes the digital world is only truly empowering when people are confident in their online security. For more than four decades, the team's experience in cybersecurity and identity theft protection lets it help people live their digital lives safely.
NortonLifeLock's technology is powered by a team of experienced experts dedicated to staying a step ahead of what’s next. NortonLifeLock's vast portfolio of products and services are developed from consumer insights creating real solutions to real problems.
About Norton 360
Built upon the legacy of Norton Security, Norton Internet Security, and the original Norton 360™, Norton 360 plans include antivirus and malware protection:
- 100% Virus Protection Guarantee
- Cloud Backup
- Smart Firewall
- Password Manager
- Secure VPN
- PC SafeCam
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Parental Control
Norton 360 with LifeLock plans offer identity theft protection features, including LifeLock alerts, the Million Dollar ProtectionTM Package, and other features to help protect your credit and identity.
Building upon the legacy of Norton Security, Norton Internet Security, and the original Norton 360™ and powered by AI and machine learning-based security technology, Norton™ 360 plans offer multi-layered malware protection, including:
- Intrusion Prevention analyzes information arriving from a network and blocks potential threats before they hit your computer (PC, Mac)
- Antivirus with Advanced Machine Learning scans and eradicates malware files that enter a device, using machine learning and emulation (PC, Mac, Android)
- Reputation Protection (Insight) uses the reputation information gathered from our global network to classify software application files on their attributes. (PC)
- Behavioral Protection monitors applications for suspicious behavior and automatically blocks found (PC)
- Power Eraser helps detect and remove high-risk applications and malware that may be residing on your computer (PC)
Norton 360 with LifeLock plans have the same industry-leading virus and malware protection as Norton Security products do, plus integrated new features to help protect your devices, online privacy, and identity:
- Device Security protects your PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS devices, new security features include Password Manager to securely manage your online passwords, Cloud Backup to store and protect important files and documents as a preventative measure to data loss due to hard drive failures, stolen devices, and even ransomware, and Parental Control to help your kids safely explore the Internet.
- Identity Theft Protection is crucial, identity threats go beyond your computer or mobile device. Identity thieves can steal your personal information from your mailbox, a medical office or buy it on the dark web. Norton 360 with LifeLock helps protect against threats to your identity, both online and offline.
- Online Privacy is also crucial, with your subscription you also get Secure VPN, a virtual private network service to encrypt your online activity, which is especially important on public Wi-Fi hotspots. Also included is PC SafeCam to protect your computer’s webcam from remote access attempts
Antivirus
Antivirus scans and helps remove malware files that enter a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Norton AntiVirus technology uses machine learning to determine if a file is good or bad, and can do so even if it’s the first time seeing that file.
Norton protection also uses “emulation” (running each file in a lightweight virtual machine) to cause online threats to reveal themselves – this happens in milliseconds as you double-click on files on your desktop. File signature data is now stored in the cloud, and Norton protection has undergone hundreds of optimizations on the antivirus engine to minimize impacting the user experience.
Malware Protection
Norton security technology includes multiple defenses against viruses and malware. The technology is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and it is part of one of the world’s largest civilian cyber intelligence networks. Protection includes:
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Analyzes information arriving from a network (like the Internet) and helps block potential online threats before they hit your computer. (PC, Mac) - Behavioral Protection
Uses artificial intelligence to classify applications based on behavior, and automatically helps block applications that display suspicious behavior. (PC) - AntiVirus with Advanced Machine Learning
Scans and helps remove malware files that enter a device, using emulation to test and see what files do, and machine learning. (PC, Mac, Android) - Proactive Exploit Protection (PEP)
Helps protect against ‘zero-day’ attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in applications or the operating system. (PC) - Reputation Protection (Insight)
Uses the reputation information gathered from the company's global network to classify software application files on their attributes. (PC) - Power Eraser
Helps detect and lets you remove high-risk applications and malware that may be residing on your computer. (PC)
Antivirus for Windows
Norton was one of the first antivirus solutions for Windows computers, and the team has been innovating for decades to develop new ways to help protect PCs. Today, the antivirus protection in Norton solutions uses advanced machine learning and emulation to determine whether afiles are good or bad, but Norton device security also has more ways to help protect your computer beyond antivirus. Protection for PCs starts at the network-level, with Intrusion Prevention working together with the Smart Firewall to analyze network traffic and help block potential online threats before they get on your computer.
The technology that powers Norton protection for PC uses Reputation Protection (Insight) to analyze reputation data, a tool that uses the reputation information gathered from Norton's global network to classify software application files. It includes Behavioral Protection to monitor and help block applications that exhibit suspicious behavior, also based on the learnings from Norton's huge trove of data and tools to help protect against “zero-day” attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in applications or the operating system.
Antivirus for Mac
The myth that Mac computers are immune to viruses and malware is simply not true.
Mac computers can get viruses and need file-based antivirus protection. Additionally, they need the other layers of protection offered in a device security software suite such as Firewall, Intrusion Prevention, and Anti-phishing Protection.
Norton has been helping to protect Mac computers for decades. Today, Norton's advanced security and 24-hour threat monitoring across the globe work to outsmart cybercriminals and help stop the latest attacks before they reach your Mac.
Antivirus for Android
Norton protection for Android includes an array of features and tools, including App Advisor, Wi-Fi Security, Web Protection, and Safe Search. The app also includes a security Report Card and Anti-Theft tools.
App Advisor, powered by Norton Mobile Insight, scans apps before you download them and warns you about risky apps before you install them. App Advisor for Google Play tells you about malware, online privacy, and other risks that are detected for a given app before you choose to download it.
Antivirus for IOS
Yes! If you log into email or use public Wi-Fi, online threats may get into your iPhone® or iPad®. Your iPhone and iPad carry a lot of important information, and you use them for many different tasks. Norton protection for iOS helps protect your iPhone and iPad with Wi-Fi Security, Web Protection, and Device Security.
Wi-Fi Security helps detect and alert you if your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network that is under attack by cybercriminals, which could lead to someone else accessing your device. Web Protection helps detect and safeguard you from navigation to malicious websites, and Device Security alerts you when your operating system is out of date, which could leave your device susceptible to vulnerabilities.
Cloud Backup
Norton PC Cloud Backup helps prevent the loss of photos and files due to ransomware or hard drive failures by storing them in the cloud.
Cloud Backup is a way to safely store copies of your computer files so you don’t lose them if your computer gets lost, damaged, or hit with ransomware.
With Cloud Backup, you store copies of your files securely with a trusted provider like Norton on their remote servers, referred to as “the cloud.”
Backing up to the cloud means that if your computer is stolen, lost, its hard drive crashes or a cybercriminal encrypts it with ransomware, you don’t lose the files that you need most.
Norton 360 plans include Cloud Backup to store and protect important files and documents against hard drive failures, stolen devices, and even ransomware.
Safe Web
Norton Safe Web helps you surf, search and shop more safely online.
It analyzes websites that you visit and helps detect if there are any viruses, spyware, malware, or other online threats.
Based on the analysis, Norton Safe Web provides safety ratings for websites, before you visit them.
Now, Norton Safe Web has new features to help protect in new ways. Read on to learn more.
Protection against phishing & scam sites
Is your browser making a loud noise telling you that your machine is infected and you must call a toll-free number to fix the security issue?
Is a site telling you that you must log in to confirm your recent credit card transactions?
You may be about to give away your login credentials or credit card PIN number to cybercriminals, also known as getting “phished.”
Norton's scam protection in the Norton Safe Web browser extension gives you protection against fake tech support attacks.
Online Banking Protection
Online banking threats (such as banking Trojans) can infect computers and mobile devices alike and can be used to steal bank log-in credentials.
With Online Banking Protection, Norton Safe Web automatically detects when you visit a banking site, and then it launches the banking session in an isolated and protected mode.
Intrusion Protection System (IPS)
The Norton Intrusion Protection System (IPS) is now available in web browsers (Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and FireFox) as part of the Norton Safe Web browser extension.
IPS plays a critical role in filling holes created by bugs in operating systems, browsers, and applications. IPS detects and helps stop exploitations of security vulnerabilities.
IPS has been a part of Norton Device Security solutions for some time, but now that it is also a part of the Norton Safe Web browser extension, the content of suspicious web pages, advertisements and popups are now cross-examined in an additional way, giving you even more protection when you browse the Web.
Link Guard
Webmail and social media are great tools for keeping in touch with friends and family, but unfortunately, they can also contain phishing attacks.
In a phishing attack, cybercriminals lure you to click a link or download an attachment, often in a message that seems to be coming from someone you already know and trust.
When you see an email with links urging you to open or download, it can be difficult to know if the link is really from a friend, or is leading to compromised sites or to run malware once you click.
Norton's team has taken the guesswork out: Now, Norton Safe Web will scan webmail and feeds for links and mark them with red if the link is likely to be suspicious or malicious.
Isolation for suspicious sites
Norton Safe Web warns you of websites that may be suspicious. Sometimes after seeing the warning, customers still want to visit the site.
To help protect your devices in this scenario, Norton Safe Web in conjunction with Norton Device Security solutions (such as Norton 360 solutions) enables you to visit the site in an isolated environment.
To do this, Norton uses a virtualization technology that isolates the link you are about to visit, and the actual navigation to the suspicious link is done on a Norton server, rather than on your own computer. It’s like visiting the site in a quarantined environment.
To use this isolation technology, you’ll need both the Norton Safe Web extension and a current subscription to a Norton Device Security solution.
Safe Search
Safe Search is a search engine focused on online security that gives you peace of mind by letting you know if a site is unsafe – before it’s too late
Benefits for you
- See a website’s safety rating for your search results
- Avoid malware-infected sites on your search results
- Help safeguard your identity by avoiding phishing sites
Smart Firewall
In Norton technology, the Smart Firewall and IPS work together to detect malware and intrusions from network traffic. Each has a different job, but they work together toward the same goal of detecting and blocking malware and intrusions at the network level.
You could compare the jobs of the Smart Firewall and IPS in network security to the jobs of different security checks at an airport. The first security check at an airport checks passengers’ identification and tickets, only allowing permitted passengers to pass through. Similarly, the Smart Firewall allows permitted traffic into a network and blocks unpermitted traffic from entering. At the next layer of airport security, security officers and x-ray machines inspect the baggage of authorized passengers who have already passed through the first layer of security. Likewise, the role of IPS in network-based protection is to carefully examine the traffic that the Smart Firewall has allowed entering in.
Many threats are caught at the network level, and for advanced malware that sneaks past, the other layers of Norton security technology go to work detecting, quarantining, and removing threats from your computer. In fact, Norton is confident in its protection, they offer a 100% guarantee: From the moment you subscribe, a Norton expert will help keep your devices virus-free or give you a refund.
The Smart Firewall acts as a traffic cop, monitoring incoming and outgoing internet traffic to prevent threats from reaching your computer. Working together, the Smart Firewall and IPS:
- Block unauthorized users from accessing your computers through the internet.
- Create a shield that either allows or blocks attempts to access the information on your computer.
- Warn you of connection attempts from other computers.
- Warn you of connection attempts by the applications on your computer that connect to other computers.
- Block your data (passwords, keystrokes, files, tax returns, etc.) from being taken by an outside source.
Password Manager
Using a password manager allows you to use complex passwords that are difficult to hack, and store them securely in an encrypted online vault.
One master password unlocks your vault so you can log into your accounts easily, without having to remember every single password.
Weak and re-used passwords are one element that stand between cybercriminals and your personal and financial information.
Norton Password Manager provides the tools you need to create, store, and manage all your passwords, credit card information, and other credentials online – safely and securely in your very own encrypted, cloud-based vault.
- SECURE: Automatically creates complex and unique passwords to help protect all your online accounts
- SMART: Allows you to quickly determine if any of your passwords are weak and then automatically updates them with more complex and secure ones.
- SIMPLE: Enables you to sync logins and other information across your devices, fill in forms with one click and securely share vault access with trusted individuals
Parental Control
Norton Parental Control gives you tools for online supervision, but also tools to help you keep the online safety conversation going with your kids. Once you have established an agreement with your kids for safe and responsible online behavior, you can use the tools within Norton Parental Control to help keep the conversation ongoing.
Getting started with Norton Parental Control involves setting up house rules for each child. Once those are set up, you’ll start getting alerts based on the rules you created, and you’ll also get regular reports on your kids’ online activity. If your child disagrees with a house rule or wants to visit a blocked website, they can send you requests within Norton Parental Control, giving you and your kids tools to help facilitate ongoing conversations about internet safety.14
Alerts and communication tools in Norton Parental Control include:
- Access Request: Open the lines of communication by enabling your kids to message you within the app if they disagree with a blocked site or a house rule.
- Email Alerts: Find out when your kids attempt to visit a blocked site so that you can start a conversation about appropriate content.
- Monthly / Weekly Reports: Get detailed reports of what your kids are doing online, right in your inbox.
Norton Parental Control helps protect your kids against online dangers by highlighting your kids’ online activity and identifying potential dangers before they become problems. Easy-to-use tools allow you to set screen time limits, block unsuitable sites, monitor search terms and overall activity history.
With Norton Parental Control, you can:
- Teach your kids good internet safety habits
- Block websites and content that you don’t want your kids to see
- Get reports on your kids’ web searches, apps, and more
- Set screen time limits and lock devices when it’s time for a break
- Monitor your kids’ devices in one place, via app or web dashboard
Secure VPN
Norton Secure VPN service:
- Changes your IP address and encrypts your online activity, helping to give you online privacy
- Helps protect your information while using public Wi-Fi networks, like your credit card numbers and passwords
- Includes an ad tracker blocker to help keep your activity from being tracked by advertisers online
- Runs on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
Privacy Monitor
Personal information, such as your address, phone number, or date of birth, is legally available for free or for sale on many public sites, called data brokers or people-search sites.
Once you click on Privacy Monitor, Norton will scan popular data broker sites for your personal info, so you can request to opt-out with the data broker, giving you greater control over your online privacy.
SafeCam
Norton SafeCam helps keep hackers from gaining unauthorized access to a user’s webcam on Windows PCs.
The webcam on your PC is a great way to keep in touch with family, friends, or business associates. But it can also be vulnerable to hacking. With Norton SafeCam, you’ll get notified when cybercriminals try to use your webcam, so Norton can help block them. SafeCam monitors software and users requesting access to your webcam and gives you the option to allow or block webcam use.
Norton Device Security uses multiple different protection technologies working together to defend against malware, including the types of malware that can lead to webcam hacking. The best way to protect your PC against this threat is to protect it against malware, and that’s exactly what Norton protection does.
Dark Web Monitoring
Identity thieves can buy or sell your personal information on hard-to-find dark websites and forums. Dark Web Monitoring searches the dark web and notifies you should your information be found.
The dark web is a place where personal information can be bought and sold. Dark Web Monitoring helps shine a light on the dark web, notifying you if your information is found. Norton can monitor for: Driver’s license number, mother’s maiden name, physical and email addresses, phone numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers.
Dark Web Monitoring is available in Norton 360 plans, and Norton 360 with LifeLock plans which have broader, more comprehensive monitoring including Social Security Number and date of birth.
Identity Lock
Identity Lock gives you a proactive way to help protect against unauthorized account openings by locking your credit file.
With a single click, Identity Lock enables you to lock and unlock your TransUnion credit file.
Lock to help protect against unauthorized account openings, then unlock when you want to open a new account.
Locking helps to protect against identity thieves by opening accounts in your name.
Have you ever opened an account or new loan and been surprised by how easy it was for your credit to be checked and approved?
If they can get your personal information, identity thieves could use your credit to open an account. Your personal information could be accessible through data breaches, information shared on social media, or for sale on the dark web.
Identity Lock gives you a way to be proactive against these types of threats. With just one click, you can lock your TransUnion credit file, and unlock it again when you want to use it.
Plans & Pricing
Norton Antivirus Plus
Annual Pricing: $19.99 ($40 OFF)
- Real-time Threat Protection for your Device
- Password Manager
- Smart Firewall
- 100% Virus Protection Promise
- 2GB Cloud Backup
Norton 360 Deluxe
Annual Pricing: $49.99 ($55 OFF)
- Real-time Threat Protection for your Device
- Password Manager
- Smart Firewall
- 100% Virus Protection Promise
- 50GB Cloud Backup
- Secure VPN
- Dark Web Monitoring
- SafeCam
- Parental Control
- Privacy Monitor
- NEW! School Time
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select
Annual Pricing: $99.48 ($50.51 OFF)
- Real-time Threat Protection for your Device
- Password Manager
- Smart Firewall
- 100GB Cloud Backup
- Secure VPN
- Dark Web Monitoring
- SafeCam
- Parental Control
- NEW! School Time
- One-Bureau Credit Monitoring
- LifeLock Identity Alert™ System
- Million Dollar Protection™ Package
- Privacy Monitor
Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus
Annual Pricing: $299.88 ($50.11 OFF)
- Real-time Threat Protection for your Device
- Password Manager
- Smart Firewall
- 500GB Cloud Backup
- Secure VPN
- Dark Web Monitoring
- SafeCam
- Parental Control
- NEW! School Time
- Three-Bureau Credit Monitoring
- LifeLock Identity Alert™ System
- Million Dollar Protection™ Package
- Data Breach Notifications
- Investment & 401(k) Activity Alerts
- Privacy Monitor
- Home Title Monitoring
- NEW! Identity Lock
Norton 360 Pros & Cons
Norton 360: Pros
- Established company
- Incredible set of tools with one single subscription
- Great protection from malware
- Solid and secure cloud storage
- Intuitive app and software
- Easy to use a password manager
- Includes a VPN
- Decent pricing
Norton 360: Cons
- Some features are not available on Mac
- Identity protection limited to the USA
- Renewal prices could be lower
- Virus scans have a massive impact on your system performance
Norton 360 Review: Verdict
After our Norton 360 review, we found this to be one of the very best cybersecurity solutions in the market today.
Norton 360 is an all-in-one powerhouse for anyone looking for online security, subscriptions include an impressive number of tools that are essential to keeping you safe while using the internet, an antivirus, a password manager, a VPN, these are just some of the tools included with Norton 360 which you'd usually have to buy separately.
On top of that, not many other companies have been in this business for as long as this, Norton is synonymous with online security.
Pricing is very decent when you take into consideration the number of tools you get, nonetheless, the renewal price could be lower.
It's also unfortunate that some features are only available for Windows.
If you'd like to get a Norton 360 free trial, simply follow the link below!
