If you’ve ever needed an antivirus, chances are Norton was one of the first names that came to mind. It has been a household name for decades, offering all-around protection from various cybersecurity threats.
Norton antivirus software was originally founded by Peter Norton and has been developed and distributed by Symantec Corporation since 1990 as part of the Norton computer security product line. Over the years, Symantec changed its name to Gen Digital, and it now also owns other big names from the same industry like Avast, Avira, and AVG alongside Norton.
With over three decades of history and being part of a company that owns some of its biggest competitors, does the Norton name still inspire the same confidence? Is it still a good option? How does it compare to its competitors? What sets it apart? Is it safe? We’ll be answering all these questions and more.
Pros and Cons
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons so that you can get a summary of the article ahead, and also decide if Norton is the right choice for you, or if you might want to avoid it.
Pros
- Smart and Automatic Features: Includes intelligent tools like an advanced firewall and behavioural protection.
- Flexible Device Protection: Offers customisable scans and a feature-rich firewall to suit different needs.
- Extra Security Features: Comes with additional tools like a VPN and cloud backup, adding significant value.
- Lightweight App: Doesn’t take up much storage or system resources, keeping your devices running smoothly.
Cons
- Relatively Expensive: Costs more than some other popular antivirus programs.
- Feature Overload: Can feel a bit bloated with too many features, which might be overwhelming for some users.
Is Norton Antivirus 100% Safe?
No antivirus software is foolproof, and the same goes for Norton. All the top antivirus programs, including Norton, have a near-perfect detection rate, meaning none of them can guarantee 100% protection. All that being said, is Norton safe? Absolutely. It provides real-time protection against a wide range of threats, including ransomware, viruses, spyware, malware, and other online security threats. Norton is dedicated to keeping your computer and data as safe as possible.
But if you’re more of a test scores and benchmark person, Norton has maintained its perfect score of 6.0 for protection, performance, and usability for June-July 2024 from AV-Test, an independent IT security institute that tests antiviruses and other security solutions. Norton is also among their certified top products. Other than antivirus protection, Norton also offers additional security features like a smart firewall, password manager, and VPN to help keep your data safe and private.
Overview of Norton Antivirus Products
Norton Antivirus has a wide range of products and subscription plans for different users in mind. Based on your requirements, you can find a plan that should be perfect for your unique needs.
Norton AntiVirus Plus
Norton AntiVirus Plus is the most basic plan offered by Norton. So you get antivirus, firewall, 2GB cloud backup and password manager. You can only use it on a single device, PC, Mac, Phone, or a Tablet. It gives the same level of protection from malware, ransomware, and hacking as all the other plans. The real-time protection, virus scanning, and the smart firewall features are just the same as every other tier. So if you are a regular user, who just needs an antivirus for their computer, no other bells and whistles, this may be the perfect plan for you. But if you need a bit more, maybe more devices, a higher storage limit for cloud backup, or any of the additional features, you should look at the other plans.
Norton 360 Standard
While the AntiVirus Plus may be the most basic tier, Norton 360 Standard is likely the most suitable plan for most individual users. Similar to the previous plan, you get the antivirus, firewall, the same 2GB cloud backup and the password manager. On top of that, you also get Norton VPN, and dark web monitoring to stay informed if your leaked data surfaces online. However, the reason it is the most suitable is that you can use it on up to three devices. Maybe you have a Windows desktop, a MacBook, and a smartphone. With this plan, you can cover all three of the devices. However, the 2GB cloud backup is still very minimal.
Norton 360 Deluxe
The Deluxe tier of Norton 360 is perfect for small families. You get everything from the Standard Plan but this time with 50GB cloud backup instead of merely 2GB and up to 5 devices. Additionally, you get privacy monitoring and parental controls. The privacy monitor browses the web to look for your information on other search sites and helps you opt out. And the parental control feature helps you monitor your children’s activities, set limits and block inappropriate content. If you’re seeking an all-in-one solution, this one ticks a lot of the boxes.
Norton 360 for Gamers
Designed specifically for gamers in mind, Norton 360 for Gamers comes with Game Optimizer, also known as Norton GO. Norton GO automatically detects your games and makes your gameplay smoother by slowing down other power-hungry apps. You can use this plan on up to 3 devices. Other than that, you get all the same features of Norton 360 Deluxe including the 50GB cloud backup, VPN, and dark web monitoring.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select
With coverage for up to 10 devices and 250GB of cloud backup, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select takes things a step further with its LifeLock identity theft protection. It provides stolen wallet protection, alerts you to potential identity theft related to your Social Security number and credit, and reimburses up to $25,000 for personal expenses and stolen funds due to ID theft. The Million Dollar Protection™ Package also includes coverage for legal fees and expert assistance.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage
LifeLock Advantage has all the features of LifeLock select and more. You will get buy now pay later alerts, bank & credit card activity alerts with this plan. It also raises the reimbursement limit up to $100,000. It also includes identity lock, which lets you turn on the TransUnion Credit File Lock and Payday Loan Lock to help block unauthorised account openings.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus
The Ultimate Plus plan offers the highest level of protection with the most comprehensive monitoring services. You can add an unlimited number of devices to this plan and get up to 500GB cloud backup. On the LifeLock side, you also get 401(k) and investment account alerts, home title monitoring, credit monitoring coverage from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and up to $1,000,000 in Stolen Funds Reimbursement.
Norton Mobile Security
Norton Mobile Security is ideal for users who primarily use their smartphones and tablets to access the internet. You get device and internet security, along with Wi-Fi security that can detect potentially unsafe Wi-Fi networks and notify you. You also get the App Advisor on Android that helps you detect unsafe apps, but this feature is only available to Android phones. This plan also includes SMS security, which filters spam SMS text messages that may contain phishing attacks.
Pricing & Comparison
Norton surely has a lot of plans, and they all come at different prices. We’ve added all the plans with the prices and all the features in the table below. One thing to note is that no matter what plan you opt for, the virus protection remains the same.
| Plan | Price | Devices | Cloud Backup | Features | Who is it Best for? |
| Norton AntiVirus Plus | $29.99 (first year)$59.99 (afterwards) | 1 | 2GB | Real-Time Threat ProtectionSmart FirewallPassword Manager | Individuals needing basic protection |
| Norton 360 Standard | $39.99 (first year)$94.99 (afterwards) | 3 | 2GB | All AntiVirus Plus featuresSecure VPNDark Web Monitoring | Individuals needing a little bit more than basic protection |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 (first year)$119.99 (afterwards) | 5 | 50GB | All Standard featuresPrivacy MonitorParental Control | Individual users with multipleDevices, or small families |
| Norton 360 for Gamers | $44.99 (first year)$114.99 (afterwards) | 3 | 50GB | All Deluxe featuresGame Optimizer | Gamers needing optimalperformance and security |
| Norton 360with LifeLock Select | $99.99 (first year)$179.99 (afterwards) | 10 | 100GB | All Deluxe featuresLifeLock Identity Theft ProtectionStolen Wallet ProtectionSocial Security & Credit AlertsCredit Monitoring Coverage: 1 bureauReimbursement: Up To $25,000 | Larger families with multiple devices,or individuals and families who areconcerned about identity theft. |
| Norton 360 withLifeLock Advantage | $199.99 (first year)$249.99 (afterwards) | 10 | 250GB | All Select featuresBank & Credit Card Activity AlertsSocial Security & Credit AlertsIdentity LockReimbursement: Up to $100,000 | Financially active individuals needingextensive monitoring, or large families |
| Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus | $299.99 (first year)$349.99 (afterwards) | Unlimited | 500GB | All Advantage features401(k) & Investment Activity AlertsHome Title MonitoringCredit Monitoring Coverage: 3 bureausReimbursement: $1,000,000 | Financially active individuals needingextensive monitoring, highest level ofidentity and device protection,large families, or businesses |
| Norton Mobile Security | $19.99 (first year)$29.99 (afterwards) | 1 | N/A | Device SecurityWi-Fi & Internet SecuritySMS Security & Spam ProtectionDevice Report CardApp Advisor (Android only)Secure Calendar (iOS only) | Mobile users looking for deviceand Wi-Fi security |
Which Norton Antivirus Plan Should You Choose?
If you are just in the market for an antivirus and you have decided on Norton, all these plans may seem a bit too over whelming, So let’s ease up this decision for you. Based on who you are there is a suitable plan for you.
Individual users: If you are looking for an antivirus just for yourself, based on the number of devices you have, it would be ideal to choose between Norton 360 Standard and Norton 360 Deluxe. Deluxe offers a few extra family features that may not particularly be of use to you. However, it is usable up to 5 devies and has 50GB cloud backup limit. On the other hand, if you are a gamer, Norton 360 for Gamers may be an appealing choice for you. It has all the features of Noryon 360 Deluxe with a few extras gamers in mind. And it costs a bit less than Deluxe. The only trade off is that you can only use it with up to 3 devices, instead of 5. We do not recommend Norton AntiVirus Plus, because it is too basic and lacks a lot of features and can only be used on a single device. However, if you’re on a tight budget, it still has the same anti-malware features.
Families: If you’re getting the antivirus for your family, chances are you are looking for some extra features, especially parental controls. If it’s for a small family, Norton 360 Deluxe should be all that you need. However, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select offers up to 10 users making it ideal for bigger families. While there are two more plans, with LifeLock Advantage, and LifeLock Ultimate Plus, they do not offer anything extra in terms of device and internet security.
Businesses: If you’re considering Norton for your business, while you can go with any of the LifeLock plans as they offer somewhere between 10 and unlimited number of devices, you should also note that these plans are mainly designed for household usage. There is a better solution for you. Norton offers customised business plans on their website. Based on how many employees you have, it may even be cheaper than some of these family plans. Moreover, they come with more business-centric features and 24/7 tech support.
Key Features of Norton 360 Antivirus
Norton 360 provides an all-in-one solution to all your digital security needs. Its malware detection and removal features are proven. You will get real-time protection, robust scanning options, a smart firewall, a password manager and cloud backup. But it doesn’t stop there, based on which plan you choose, you will also get a secure VPN, parental control, privacy monitoring, dark web monitoring, identity theft protection and more.
Device Security Features
Norton 360 has one of the smartest and most customisable set of device security features protecting you from malware, ransomware, unwanted access, data theft, and many other forms of security threats. Let’s walk through how they do it.
Automatic Protection
Norton 360 provides automatic protection for your device even when you’re not using it. This is also known as real time protection. So every time you download a file, plug in a USB drive, or even connect to a network drive, Norton will automatically flag and quarantine that file. You can also set up boot-time protection which will automatically run a scan before your operating system fully boots and your files can be used by other programs or the operating system. Norton 360 also provides behavioural protection that can monitor behaviour of files and identify potential threats before they even emerge.
Scans and Risks
Like most antivirus programs, Norton 360 offers both Quick Scan and Full Scan options. However, the default scan is called Smart Scan, which not only looks for Viruses & Malware but also scans your network and system for more advanced issues. Norton Power Eraser is available for detecting more elusive threats, while Norton Insight helps determine which files need scanning. You can also run a Diagnostic Report to get key information about your system. Additionally, there’s an option for custom scans, allowing you to select specific folders and files and set them to run automatically at your preferred frequency.
Smart Firewall and Intrusion Prevention System
Norton’s Smart Firewall works like a gatekeeper, and the good thing is that most of its work is automatic thanks to the Norton Intrusion Prevention System. So, the firewall keeps monitoring your network traffic and detects potential cybersecurity threats. Both the Smart Firewall and Intrusion Prevention System work together to block these threats like unwanted access, cryptojacking attempts, and data theft. While most of it works automatically, you also have the option to manage the firewall yourself, by manually allowing and blocking network access and much more.
Additional Features
Now, on-device protection isn’t everything, your data can still get out there, you can be tracked externally, your online accounts can be hacked, but Norton 360 covers it all.
Cloud Backup
All Norton plans offer cloud backup. While it starts from just 2GB, based on which plan you choose it can go up to 500GB. Now, why do you need Cloud Backup? Ransomware attacks and hard drive failures are just two of the many reasons you may end up losing your precious files. If you have important files that you would want to keep safe, it’s best to back them up on the cloud, and it’s nice to have that included with your antivirus program.
Password Manager
One of the most common ways people get hacked is by using the same password for every service. Your password should always be unique and unpredictable. But that also makes it hard to remember. That’s where password managers come in. With Norton Password Manager, you can generate difficult passwords and save them securely. And the best part is that it comes included with every Norton 360 plan.
Secure VPN
All Norton 360 plans come with a secure VPN. A VPN connects you to a remote network, making it difficult for others, like your ISP or the government, to track your online activity. It’s also a smart idea to use a VPN when you’re on public Wi-Fi, since you never know who else is on the network or who might be trying to hack you. Plus, if you want to access websites and services that are blocked in your region, a VPN can help with that too. Norton’s VPN works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, and you can subscribe to it separately if you prefer. The VPN being included in your Norton 360 plan adds a lot of extra value.
Parental Controls
Norton Parental Control allows parents to monitor and control their kid’s activities online. You can look into what apps your kids have downloaded, what videos they are watching, what they are searching online, and much more. It lets you block inappropriate sites and apps, schedule usage, limit screen time, track location, and enable safe search. Parental Control is available with Norton 360 for Gamers, Norton 360 Deluxe and all LifeLock plans.
Privacy & Dark Web Monitoring
A lot of your personal information can be available legally online in many data broker or people-search websites. Norton Privacy Monitor helps you find that data so that you can request to opt out. But often-times your data, including your passwords and credit card information, can show up on the dark web. You can use Norton’s Dark Web Monitoring to always be on the lookout if something like that happens, so that you can take necessary steps.
LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
With select plans of Norton 360, you get LifeLock, which is an identity theft protection. LifeLock monitors your personal information for potential threats and alerts you to any suspicious activity. For example, if someone tries to access your social security number or if there are any changes to your credit file, you will get an alert. And if your identity does end up getting stolen, LifeLock will also help you resolve the issue, cover your personal expenses and your stolen funds, providing reimbursements based on your plan limits. You will also get coverage for lawyers and experts if you need them.
Software and Driver Updater
It’s a good idea to always keep your software and drivers up to date. However, a lot of computer software doesn’t come with updates, and you may need to manually look for them. The same goes for a lot of hard to find drivers that need to be manually sourced. Norton 360 manages these updates by finding them for you. You can also pick and choose which apps and drivers you want to update.
How Does Norton Compare to Other Antiviruses?
Norton is one of the most feature-packed antivirus software out there, but it’s not alone. This industry is filled with great competition like Avast, Bitdefender, McAfee, Kaspersky, and more. While protection and performance-wise there is minimal difference between the five of them, there is more to look into. Each offers unique features, usability, value, and pricing. Let’s pit them all against Norton to see which one is the best.
Norton vs. McAfee
Both Norton and McAfee are solid options as antiviruses. Based on AV-Comparatives’ Real-World Protection Test February-May 2024, McAfee has a 99.8% protection rate, while Norton has a 99.7%. While McAfee clearly has a higher rate of protection, as these test results are multiple every few months, these rates change very frequently and a difference of 0.1% is very minimal. Moreover, Norton has a higher rate of offline detection, But it also has a higher rate of false positives. Performance wise, Norton is faster than McAfee, and more lightweight than McAfee.
If we talk about features, Norton has cloud storage, better parental control, 24/7 live chat for support. McAfee, has a file shredder, and support over phone call. But they both share a lot of features such as VPN, Password Manager, Identity Monitoring and more. Norton is also considered easier to use and has a better user interface.
While they are priced the same, McAfee may seem like a better value for the first year. However, from second year, McAfee is priced higher than Norton. Moreover, McAfee has a free to use version, along with a longer free trial period for the paid plans. Norton on the other hand, offers a 60-day money back guarantee.
We would recommend Norton over McAfee for individual and family use. However, some of McAfee’s additional features makes is a better option for office environments.
| Plan | Norton | McAfee |
| Protection | 99.7% | 99.8% |
| Performance | Very Good | Good |
| Features | Excellent | Very Good |
| User Interface | Very Good | Good |
| Free Plan | No | Yes |
Norton vs. Avast
Norton and Avast went through an $8M merger back in 2022, and are currently owned by Gen Digital. But that does not mean they are the same program. Avast has secured a 100% protection rate on AV-Comparatives’ February-May 2024 Test. Norton’s 99.7% puts it a bit behind.
Avast has a couple of things going for it. Its more easy to use with a better user interface, and a lot of its key features are present in the free tier. Moreover, it offers WiFi security and a PC cleanup tool with it’s paid tiers. But Norton includes cloud backup, safe search, and a more comprehensive security suite with robust identity protection features.
Avast One plans are cheaper and much more customizable and comprehensive compared to Norton 360. It also has a longer free trial of 30 days, compared to Norton’s 7 days.
Avast is a clear winner. But a lot of it’s features serve individual users better than families. So you can make the choice based on who you are.
| Plan | Norton | Avast |
| Protection | 99.7% | 100% |
| Performance | Very Good | Very Good |
| Features | Excellent | Good |
| User Interface | Very Good | Excellent |
| Free Plan | No | Yes |
Norton vs. Bitdefender
Both Bitdefender and Norton provide the similar level of protection and performance. Norton’s 99.7% detection rate is not much higher than Bitdefender’s 99.6%. Bitdefender also emphasises on removing adware, alongside malware and ransomware.
Norton’s Smart Firewall with the Intrusion Prevention System is like no other. Norton also has better parental control’s and identity monitoring options. Also Bitdefender has essential features for mobile users like app lock and smartwatch users get WearON. Bitdefender’s OneClick optimizer speeds up your PC. While a similar feature is also available with Norton, it is only for the users of Norton 360 for Gamers plan.
Bitdefender is significantly more affordable than Norton, but based on your needs, Norton may provide better value with all it’s features.
If you’re on a budget, Bitdefender is the way to go. If you are looking for a more all-in-one solution, Norton may be your best bet.
| Plan | Norton | Bitdefender |
| Protection | 99.7% | 99.6% |
| Performance | Very Good | Excellent |
| Features | Excellent | Good |
| User Interface | Very Good | Good |
| Free Plan | No | Yes |
Norton vs. Kaspersky
Although Kaspersky is banned in the US, it is a popular choice all around the world with a 99.8% virus detection rate compared to Norton’s 99.7%. Both are great options, however the ban can have a lot of users worried about safety.
Norton’s LifeLock features set it apart from Kaspersky. While Norton also has parental controls, and child safety features, Kaspersky emphasises on it better. But overall Norton stands out with more features and a better user interface than Kaspersky.
Kaspersky is priced but cheaper than Norton, and it offers a free tier, giving budget-conscious users a chance to get basic protection without any cost.
When you consider features, protection, performance, Norton comes out on top. It’s especially appealing for those looking for a comprehensive security solution with added extras like a VPN and cloud backup.
| Plan | Norton | Kaspersky |
| Protection | 99.7% | 99.8% |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Features | Excellent | Good |
| User Interface | Very Good | Good |
| Free Plan | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Norton Antivirus
Is Norton a Good Antivirus Software?
Norton is one of the best antivirus programs out there with industry leading malware protection, smart firewall management, and one of the highest threat detection rates. Norton also provides a lot of additional features like VPN, password manager, privacy monitoring that also make it a great value. Norton has maintained a perfect score on the June-July 2024 tests on AV-Test.org making it one of their certified top products. If you are in the market for an antivirus, Norton is an easy choice.Â
Is Norton Antivirus Free?
No, Norton Antivirus is not free. Unlike many of its competitors like Avast and Kaspersky that offer free plans, Norton does not have any such tier. However, you can get a 7-day free trial for select Norton plans. But after the trial ends, a paid subscription will automatically start unless you cancel before the trial period is over. Norton also provides a risk-free 60-day money back guarantee, which means, if you don’t like it after using it for up to 2 months, you can ask for a refund.
Will Norton Slow Down My Computer?
Norton is one of the best performing antivirus programs. And even though it is packed with a lot of features, it is surprisingly lightweight, making it easy resource efficient for your system. So there is very little chance of it slowing down your computer. In fact, it can detect vulnerabilities and threats within your computer that are potentially slowing it down and then eliminate them.
Can Norton Stop Hackers?
Norton’s device protection detects and removes spyware like trojans and worms infections that can be used to hack into our system. Smart Firewall and Intrusion Prevention System can protect you against hackers by blocking unwanted access. This one of the most intelligen firewalls included with any antivirus as it can automatically monitor and detect potencial threats. Norton 360 also includes a VPN that can keep you safe online when you’re using public Wi-Fi. However, nothing can provide 100% protection from hackers, so it’s always best to stay vigilant, and take necessary precautions.
Can Norton Protect Against Ransomware?
Yes, Norton provides real-time protection against ransomware, and this is included with every plan, starting from Norton AntiVirus Plus. The Norton Smart Firewall also offers strong protection against ransomware threats. Norton is an industry leader in this type of protection. However, you can never be too safe, it’s always smart to take extra precautions. You can use Norton Secure VPN and the Norton Safe Search extension for added security. Also, make sure to keep your system updated with the latest security patches.
Wrapping Up
After this detailed review of Norton Antivirus, it’s clear that it is one of if not the best antivirus programs currently available. With it’s industry leading malware-protection, real-time threat detection, smart scans, intelligent firewall, and a robust set of highly customisable features it is an easy recommendation for anyone who is currently in the market for an antivirus. While it’s not the cheapest, it still provides a excellent value.