Norton 360 Antivirus Review

Norton 360 Antivirus Review

1. Introduction​

In an era rife with cyber threats, Norton 360 has long been a stalwart in the antivirus market, providing comprehensive protection for users across various devices. Developed by NortonLifeLock, a company with a rich history in cybersecurity, Norton 360 aims to safeguard users from malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and more. This in – depth review will explore its features, performance, usability, and value for money to determine if it lives up to its reputation.​

2. Protection Capabilities​

Malware Detection​

Norton 360 utilizes a sophisticated scanning engine that combines heuristic analysis, machine learning, and a vast malware database. In independent tests, it has consistently demonstrated an outstanding ability to detect and eliminate a wide range of malware, including viruses, trojans, worms, and spyware. For instance, in AV – Test’s evaluations, Norton 360 has often achieved close to 100% detection rates for both known and emerging malware strains. Its real – time protection is equally impressive, constantly monitoring system activities and network traffic to prevent malware from infiltrating the system. When a potentially malicious file is detected, Norton 360 swiftly quarantines it, preventing any damage to the user’s device.​

Ransomware Protection​

Ransomware has become one of the most significant threats in recent years, and Norton 360 takes a multi – pronged approach to counter it. It includes a dedicated ransomware protection module that monitors for suspicious file – locking activities. If it detects any behavior typical of ransomware, such as rapid encryption of files, it immediately blocks the process and notifies the user. Additionally, Norton 360’s cloud – based backup feature (available in some plans) can be a lifesaver in case of a ransomware attack. Users can restore their files from the backup, avoiding the need to pay the ransom.​

Phishing Protection​

The phishing protection in Norton 360 is top – notch. It comes with a browser extension that works seamlessly with popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The extension analyzes web pages in real – time, blocking access to known phishing sites. It also provides detailed information about the site, explaining why it is considered dangerous. For example, if a site is 仿冒 a legitimate banking website, Norton 360 will highlight the differences and warn the user. The secure search engine integrated with Norton 360 further enhances phishing protection. It color – codes search results, indicating which sites are safe and which ones may be risky.​

3. Additional Features​

VPN​

Norton 360 offers a high – quality VPN service. It provides users with access to servers in over 35 countries, allowing for secure and private browsing. The VPN uses 256 – bit AES encryption, ensuring that user data is protected from prying eyes. Features like a kill switch and split – tunneling add to its functionality. The kill switch automatically disconnects the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data leakage. Split – tunneling enables users to choose which apps use the VPN and which ones use the regular network, providing more flexibility.​

Password Manager​

The password manager in Norton 360 is a convenient tool for users. It can generate strong, unique passwords for each online account and store them securely. The autofill feature makes logging in to accounts a breeze, eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords. It also has a password health checker that evaluates the strength of existing passwords and provides recommendations for improvement. For example, if a user has a weak, commonly used password, the password manager will suggest creating a stronger one.​

Parental Controls​

For families, Norton 360’s parental controls are very useful. Parents can set restrictions on website access, block inappropriate content, and control the amount of time children spend online. They can also monitor their children’s online activities, such as the websites they visit and the apps they use. The parental controls are easy to set up and manage, allowing parents to customize the restrictions according to their family’s needs.​

Identity Theft Protection​

In the United States, Norton 360’s LifeLock products offer various levels of identity theft protection. They monitor the dark web for any signs of the user’s personal information being compromised. If something is detected, the user is immediately notified. Some plans even offer up to $3 million in coverage for stolen funds, personal costs, and lawyer/expert expenses, providing peace of mind in case of identity theft.​

4. Performance Impact​

One of the crucial aspects of an antivirus is its impact on system performance. Norton 360 is designed to be lightweight and efficient. During our tests, we found that it had minimal impact on the speed of the computer. Scans, both quick and full, were carried out without causing significant slowdowns. The real – time protection also ran smoothly in the background, not interfering with the user’s normal computing activities. Whether it was running resource – intensive applications or multitasking, Norton 360 did not impede the system’s performance.​

5. Usability​

The Norton 360 interface is user – friendly, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users. The main dashboard provides an overview of the system’s security status, with clear indicators for any threats detected. Navigating through the various features is intuitive, with well – labeled buttons and menus. The mobile app, available for both Android and iOS, offers similar functionality to the desktop version. It allows users to manage their security settings, run scans, and receive notifications on the go. The app also has a simple and clean design, making it easy to use on mobile devices.​

6. Pricing​

Norton 360 offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs. The Antivirus Plus plan, which provides basic protection for 1 device, starts at around ​

41.03peryear.The360Deluxeplan,whichisapopularchoiceformanyusers,costsaround68.40 per year. This plan includes the VPN, dark web monitoring, cloud storage, and more. For users who want the full suite of identity theft protections, a LifeLock subscription is required, starting at around $136.81 per year. All plans come with a 60 – day money – back guarantee, allowing users to test the product risk – free.​

7. Conclusion​

Overall, Norton 360 is an outstanding antivirus solution. Its excellent protection capabilities, combined with a wide range of additional features, make it a comprehensive security suite. The minimal performance impact and user – friendly interface add to its appeal. While the pricing may be a bit higher compared to some competitors, the quality of protection and the value – added features justify the cost. Whether you are an individual looking to protect your personal devices or a family concerned about online safety, Norton 360 is definitely worth considering.