8.3/ 10
SCORE
Norton Antivirus
Pros
- Extensive parental controls available on some plans
- Cloud backups for your most sensitive data
- High-quality safe browser
Cons
- Identity theft protection features are only for US-based users
- Higher resource usage than most competitors
- Reaching human customer support is difficult
Norton, a name synonymous with antivirus since its inception in 1982, has evolved into a comprehensive cybersecurity suite. It now offers an array of tools including a password manager, a safe browser, cloud backups for critical data, and privacy monitoring. For users based in the U.S., Norton also provides access to LifeLock plans, which offer identity theft protection and insurance. My experience with these tools revealed a generally intuitive interface, particularly highlighting the parental controls that make Norton an excellent choice for families.
The core of Norton’s offering remains its antivirus software, which boasts easy setup, user-friendly navigation, and a variety of scanning options. The desktop versions are equipped with optimization tools that enhance your computer’s performance—whether you’re on Windows or MacOS—by updating software and clearing out unnecessary files. Remarkably, these processes consume a minimal amount of processing power, allowing users to swiftly return to their tasks.
Additionally, I found value in Norton’s safe browser, scam detection tools, and privacy monitoring system. These features empower users with greater control over their online data and safeguard against phishing and other digital threats. While the included storage may not suffice for comprehensive backups, Norton’s cloud backup feature is a commendable addition, one that many antivirus providers overlook. For parents, Norton Family offers the ability to implement parental controls on their children’s devices, further enhancing its appeal.
Norton antivirus features, plans, and pricing: Cybersecurity for all, identity theft protection for the US
Norton’s antivirus software encompasses all the essential features expected from a premium antivirus solution, including real-time protection, manual scans, automated scans, and scan scheduling. The cybersecurity suites extend beyond basic protection, incorporating tools such as scam detection, dark web monitoring, and, for U.S. residents, identity theft protection.
A significant advantage of Norton is its parental controls, a feature not commonly found in many antivirus solutions. This makes it an ideal choice for parents or anyone who frequently shares devices with children. The cloud backup feature is another unique offering, providing an extra layer of security for vital documents, although the limited storage may necessitate additional backup solutions for larger data sets.
However, it’s worth noting that Norton lacks family plans; while you can add devices to your account, individual users do not receive separate login credentials or identity protection. For those seeking a more inclusive family plan, alternatives like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes may be more suitable.
Free Norton tools
While Norton does not offer a free version of its antivirus, it does provide several complimentary cybersecurity tools. These include a password manager, a data breach scan, a safe browser, and a safe search feature. The Norton Genie app is also available at no cost, allowing users to share suspicious messages or content with an AI for a quick analysis of potential threats.
Norton AntiVirus Plus
Norton AntiVirus Plus caters to users with basic security needs and limited budgets. It includes the full-featured antivirus, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. For one device, Norton AntiVirus Plus is priced at for the first year, renewing at annually. For those needing coverage for five devices, the cost is for the first year, with a renewal price of .
For individuals with two or three devices, Norton 360 Standard is a more cost-effective option. Although it has a higher renewal price, it offers additional features like dark web monitoring, a VPN, and a scam detector. The next tier, Norton 360 Deluxe, is designed for four to five devices and includes enhanced features such as parental controls and 50GB of cloud storage, making the extra cost worthwhile for some users.
Norton 360 Standard
Norton 360 Standard is tailored for the average user concerned about scams and privacy but not necessarily identity theft. Along with the core antivirus and password manager, this plan includes Norton’s VPN, scam protection tools, dark web monitoring, parental controls, and 2GB of cloud backups. The introductory price is for the first year, with a renewal fee of for coverage on up to three devices.
Norton 360 Deluxe
Norton 360 Deluxe serves as a minor upgrade for parents and users with multiple devices seeking more robust cybersecurity. It encompasses all features of Norton 360 Standard, plus parental controls through Norton Family and up to 50GB of cloud backups. The introductory price is for the first year, renewing at 5 annually.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus
This plan is designed for users concerned about identity theft, offering privacy monitoring, one-bureau credit monitoring, social security and credit monitoring alerts, and up to ,000 in stolen funds reimbursement. It also includes 250GB of cloud backups for enhanced data security. The cost is 0 for the first year, renewing at 0 annually, covering up to 10 devices. However, this plan is exclusive to U.S. residents, as the identity theft protection features are tailored to U.S. systems.
Norton antivirus usability: Fast, simple setup for tech newbies and pros alike
Setting up an account with the Norton 360 Deluxe plan was a straightforward process, allowing me to assess Norton’s usability across three key areas: account navigation, installation/setup for the primary antivirus, and setup for additional tools like the VPN. Most of Norton’s tools were user-friendly, even for those less technically inclined.
Account navigation
Creating an account with Norton was intuitive, requiring only basic account and payment information. If you selected a LifeLock plan, you would also need to provide your address and credit card for monitoring. Following this, users can download the antivirus or access the account dashboard.
The dashboard features prominent boxes for all Norton services linked to your account, with clear buttons leading to pages for managing these tools. While upsells for additional services like Norton Safe Email were present, they were not intrusive enough to detract from the overall experience.
Installation and setup
Upon signing up, Norton offered two options: installing the antivirus on the current device or sending download links to other devices. I opted to install it on my active computer, and the process required just two clicks and took approximately one minute. Norton then presented an expanded setup screen, allowing me to toggle various features on or off, all of which were enabled by default for ease of use.
Additionally, Norton provides an option to enhance privacy by automatically activating the VPN when it detects a compromised Wi-Fi network. Although the specifics of what constitutes a compromised network were not entirely clear, it’s a feature that adds an extra layer of security.
After completing the essential setup tasks, Norton suggested running an immediate smart scan, which I appreciated. This scan took only two minutes, and the entire setup process—from account creation to accessing the antivirus dashboard—took around five minutes, making it accessible for users of all technical backgrounds.
Norton antivirus performance: Moderate resource usage for rapid scans
Over two days, I ran Norton while engaging in everyday tasks such as browsing the internet and editing images. Norton operated smoothly in the background, without noticeable interference with my computer’s performance. The speed of various scan types impressed me, although deep scans consumed more resources than comparable scans from top competitors.
Background performance
During my two-day testing period, Norton utilized between 0% to 5% of CPU power and less than 100MB of memory while I conducted routine activities like checking emails and browsing social media. While this performance is commendable, it exhibited more variability compared to leading tools such as Malwarebytes and Bitdefender, which consistently used less than 0.5% of CPU power.
Active scans
I conducted several scans with Norton, from smart scans to full scans, over the course of my testing. The resource consumption during these scans ranged from 10% to 40% of CPU power, which was higher than the 10% or less used by Bitdefender and Malwarebytes. However, Norton’s quick scan speed—particularly the 10-minute full scans—offset the impact of this higher resource usage.
Smart scans, which include both antivirus and operating system scans, took around two minutes and utilized approximately 10% to 20% of CPU power. The results from these scans indicated thousands of issues, which raised questions about their accuracy, as earlier scans had found no problems.
In contrast, quick scans focused solely on malware detection and took about four minutes, using similar resources to smart scans without upselling additional services. I found the quick scans preferable and would recommend them as the default option.
Usability and performance of additional tools: A mixed bag
Norton has introduced several cybersecurity tools to complement its antivirus, including device optimization tools, a safe browser, password manager, scam detector, privacy monitor, parental controls, and a VPN. Most of these tools impressed me with their straightforward navigation and effective protection protocols, though some features, such as the safe search and VPN, fell short of expectations.
Device optimization tools
Norton offers a suite of optimization tools, including a software updater, file cleanup tool, and startup manager. These tools are comparable to those found in Malwarebytes’ optimization suite but have the added advantage of being compatible with MacOS. The performance scan, akin to a smart scan, analyzed my computer for both viruses and operating system vulnerabilities, leading to upsell prompts that were somewhat off-putting.
However, the software updater and file cleanup tools performed efficiently, allowing for bulk updates and deletions without additional costs. Overall, while these optimization processes were effective, they did not match the extensive capabilities of competitors like AVG and Avira.
Safe Browser and safe search
Norton’s Safe Browser offers a familiar interface with enhanced security features. It includes a side panel for accessing safe search and a chatbot for scam detection, alongside a built-in news aggregator and utility tools. The browser’s Privacy Guard allows users to customize ad and tracker blocking settings, while the Web Shield scans for malware and phishing threats.
Despite its advantages, the safe search feature is cluttered with excessive sponsored links, detracting from the overall experience. While it does provide safety indicators for websites, the overwhelming number of sponsored results may discourage users from relying on it.
Password manager
Norton’s Password Manager integrates seamlessly with the safe browser and can be added as an extension for popular browsers. Setting it up is straightforward, allowing users to create a vault password and navigate stored information easily. The ability to bulk import and export data adds to its convenience, although users should exercise caution when handling exported files.
Scam Detector and Norton Genie
Norton’s scam detection tool operates in the background, scanning websites and text messages for potential threats. While the lack of noticeable changes in browsing experience may raise doubts about its effectiveness, the statistics provided confirm its functionality. The Norton Genie AI tool offers an additional layer of protection by analyzing suspicious content for malicious intent.
Privacy monitor
The privacy monitoring tool is easily accessible through the Norton account dashboard, scanning over 200 data broker sites for personal information. While the process is quick and user-friendly, the accuracy of the results raises concerns, as it may not always identify the correct data associated with users.
Norton Family
Norton Family stands out as a significant benefit, allowing parents to create profiles for their children and set restrictions based on age. The online dashboard provides insights into blocked content and screen time metrics, making it easy for parents to manage their children’s device usage effectively.
VPN
Norton’s VPN aims to mask users’ IP addresses while browsing. Despite improvements, it still lacks advanced privacy features and has a smaller server network compared to competitors. While the VPN is easy to use, the noticeable speed loss during testing may limit its appeal for users seeking robust privacy protection.
Norton antivirus security: Excellent antivirus protection, solid privacy policies
Third-party lab results consistently demonstrate Norton’s effectiveness in identifying malware and other threats. The antivirus software has received top marks in security rankings, showcasing its reliability over the years.
Antivirus
Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for the past decade, outperforming many competitors in detection rates. Its online detection rate of 98.9% further solidifies its reputation as a formidable antivirus solution.
Security for additional tools
Norton employs top-tier encryption protocols for its password manager and backup systems, ensuring user data remains secure. The VPN also adheres to a no-logs policy, underscoring Norton’s commitment to user privacy.
Privacy policy and data breaches
Norton’s privacy policies outline its data collection practices, emphasizing the removal of personal identifiers where possible. However, the sharing of data with third-party companies for marketing purposes raises concerns about user privacy. Notably, a recent data breach involving the password manager prompted a swift response from Norton, demonstrating its commitment to user security.
Norton antivirus customer service
Norton provides a range of customer support options, including a community forum, knowledge base, and 24/7 live chat and phone support. While email support is absent, the availability of social media accounts for customer inquiries is a notable feature.
Knowledge base
The knowledge base offers a search function powered by AI, which can sometimes slow down the process of finding answers. However, the articles are comprehensive and include a mix of text, images, and videos for better understanding.
Direct communication
Accessing direct communication with customer support requires navigating through the knowledge base, which can be cumbersome. While live chat and phone support are available, the initial interaction with automated systems may frustrate users seeking immediate assistance. Nevertheless, once connected to a representative, the support experience is generally satisfactory.
Norton antivirus value: Good for parents and those on a budget
Norton offers competitive pricing compared to other antivirus solutions, particularly for families needing coverage for multiple devices. Its unique features, such as the safe browser and parental controls, provide added value for users seeking comprehensive protection without breaking the bank.
Norton: Is it right for you?
With its focus on active threat protection and family-oriented features, Norton is an excellent choice for users prioritizing cybersecurity for their households. However, for those seeking lighter resource usage and advanced cybersecurity tools, alternatives like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes may be more suitable.
- Intuitive interfaces: From signup to scanning to setting up parental controls, Norton systems are remarkably easy to navigate.
- Helpful device optimization tools: The startup application manager and junk file cleaner can significantly improve your device’s performance.
- Robust Safe Browser: Norton’s Safe Browser features enhanced security protocols and additional utilities.
- Cloud backups: Norton allows automatic backups of important data to encrypted cloud storage.
- Parental controls: Norton Family helps manage screen time and restrict access to harmful content.
- High device limits: Norton’s plans can cover up to 10 devices, surpassing many competitors.
Norton antivirus FAQs
Does Norton 360 slow down my computer?
No, Norton 360 is designed to operate efficiently on modern machines, though older computers may experience some performance issues.
How effective is Norton 360 against ransomware and malware?
Norton 360 consistently earns high marks in third-party testing, demonstrating strong effectiveness against ransomware and malware.
Can Norton 360 protect multiple devices with one subscription?
Yes, Norton 360 can protect up to 10 devices, depending on the specific plan purchased.
Does Norton 360 work on Mac, Windows and mobile devices?
Yes, Norton 360 is compatible with both MacOS and Windows, and it offers mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Norton 360 vs. McAfee: Which is better?
Norton 360 generally uses fewer resources than McAfee, making it a better choice for most users, although McAfee offers unlimited device protection on many plans.
Is Norton 360 better than Windows Defender?
Yes, Norton 360 offers more flexibility and superior detection rates compared to Microsoft Defender.