Norton360 is an award-winning antivirus software with over 50 million devoted users, but is it right for you?

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In our Norton AntiVirus review, we explore the most important features of one of the best malware protection software for 2021.

Keep reading to learn more!

Security features

Programs like Norton AntiVirus primarily guard you against data and security breaches, but they also offer a multitude of bonus features to keep you protected in all different areas of the online world.

PROS:

  • Detects threats quickly and efficiently
  • Uncomplicated installation
  • Unlimited VPN
  • Smart Firewall
  • Various scanning options
  • Online cloud backup and password management

CONS:

  • May be difficult to learn for beginners
  • Scans sometimes take longer
  • No free version

With each price plan offering its unique features, we cover them all in detail below.

Anti-Spyware, Antivirus, Malware and Ransomware Protection

With the help of heuristic methods and machine learning, Norton AntiVirus provides an exceptional degree of threat protection. Norton is so effective that it catches 100% of the malicious files after a full system scan which takes only 40 minutes. In this aspect, Norton ranks almost the same as one of its tougher competitors. Norton virus scan offers a variety of options:

Additional tasks are available from the Scan window, such as setting the time for your scan, computer optimisation, and creating a diagnostic report. Norton Power Eraser is especially helpful, as you can use it to remove advanced threats that the other scans missed, as well as Norton Insight, which enables you to exclude trusted files from scans and thus reduce the scan time.

  • Smart Scan – runs three types of scans: security, performance, and network.
  • Quick Scan – runs a fast check of areas where malware is most often found, such as system files or temporary files.
  • Full System Scan – scans the entire computer, including boot records, files and running processes accessed by the user.
  • Custom Scan – exams designated files, folders, or drives of your choice.

PC Cloud Backup

The multiple layers of Norton protection keep your data safe using different measures, such as the Norton Backup feature. The Norton 360 Standard offers 10 GB of storage, while Norton 360 Deluxe and Norton 360 Premium offer significantly larger cloud storage of 50 GB and 250 GB, respectively.

Although it’s only limited to PC users, the Norton Backup tool works relatively well, almost identical to other proven cloud services like DropBox or iCloud. Here’s what it offers:

  • Schedule backups.
  • Back up specific files.
  • Remove or save backed up files on your local disk.
  • Back up to the cloud or a local disk.

Norton Safe Search and Safe Web

Norton Safe Search is a special search engine designed to tell users if a website is safe using colours – red is dangerous, orange means potentially unsafe, and green is safe. However, the Norton website check isn’t entirely accurate, as it sometimes flags safe websites red and vice versa.

Norton Safe Web, on the other hand, provides satisfactory anti-phishing protection, successfully detecting phishing sites that some of its competitors can’t.

Isolation Mode is an additional useful feature for protecting your financial information. You can activate this option when you visit a financial website. SafeWeb will then put your browser in “read-only” mode, blocking all browser-based cyberattacks.

Smart Firewall

Norton’s Smart Firewall works perfectly over already built-in Windows or macOS firewalls, coming with a bunch of custom options. If you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, Norton’s Firewall will disable some of Windows’ services, such as File and Printer Sharing, but they can easily be turned back on in the “Permissions” window.

Password Manager

The Norton AntiVirus software offers its Password Manager feature for all price plans. Norton’s Password Manager, formerly known as Norton ID Safe, will store any usernames and passwords, as well as credit card information and addresses. You’re only required to remember one master password to unlock your encrypted vault, where all your passwords and credentials are safely stored.

100% Virus Protection Promise

When you subscribe for any of the Norton AntiVirus plans, you get an on-call Norton expert to keep your device safe from sneaky computer viruses. Norton is so confident in its abilities to protect you against any kind of malware that it offers 100% Virus Protection Promise. This means you receive a refund if the Norton software or expert cannot remove a virus from your device.

Secure VPN

Although the Norton VPN has its disadvantages and is not among the top VPNs, it still offers some pretty good features, such as:

  • Strong 256-bit AES encryption.
  • Ad tracker blocking.
  • Unlimited browsing data (even on the cheapest plan).

No matter which VPN you use, sending your internet connection to a different server causes some slow-up. The Norton VPN isn’t as fast as Bitdefender when it comes to connection speed, but it does perform decently.

Netflix users with Norton VPN are out of luck, as it cannot pass Netflix’s anti-VPN sensors, nor does it allow torrenting. Most of the top-scoring VPNs nowadays, such as ExpressVPN, are capable of getting past these sensors.

Norton VPN is included in all plans but the entry-level one and can also be bought separately at a starting price of A$59.99 for the first year for one device. It covers PC, Mac, Android and iOS.

SafeCam for PC

If you have a webcam for your PC, it can easily become a cybercriminals’ tool for spying on you by taking pictures of you without you knowing, to use them for blackmail or extortion. Norton360 protects against such spyware and blocks any unauthorised access to your PC webcam.

Norton Security Premium features:

In case you were searching for some more advanced features, with Norton 360 Deluxe and Norton 360 Premium, you’ll get access to:

Parental Control and School Time

Norton’s experts thought of concerned parents with their Parental Control feature, enabling them to check on their kids’ online engagement, what videos they watch, which websites they spend the most time on, or what apps they download. Additionally, you get helpful tools like GPS monitoring on Android and iOS and content filtering for computers. 

The School Time feature is another useful tool helping you limit your child’s online access without turning off the internet connection. 

Norton AntiVirus is currently ranked as the best antivirus software with a parental control feature in 2021.

Dark Web Monitoring

Norton360 offers yet another phenomenal service limited to users in the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Using an innovative real-person approach, Norton’s human agents infiltrate dark web forums and notify you if any of your personal identifying information is found there. 

Additional tools:

Norton AntiVirus Performance

Given that Norton360 is an extensive antivirus program, it can be challenging to figure out all of its features and services. Still, Norton’s experts implemented some quite decent design solutions to simplify the user experience.

Norton360 for Gamers

Tailored by PC gamers for PC gamers, the extraordinary Norton360 gamer security feature includes Norton’s proven protection against cyberattacks and malware, while the VPN makes sure to prevent doxxing, SWATing, and DDoS attacks. Norton’s gamer plan also includes round-the-clock support and a 60-day Money Back Guarantee. It comes at A$89.99 for the whole first year and offers protection for up to three PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets.

Norton Identity Advisor

With Norton Identity Advisor, a dedicated specialist will be at your disposal 365 days a year to help you resolve any issues related to stealing your personal info and guide you through the whole restoration process. The Restoration Specialist will take your phone calls, help with paperwork and help resolve disputes with relevant parties on your behalf, all for A$79.99 a year.

Downloading and installing Norton AntiVirus is certainly not a challenge. Simply visit my.norton.com and choose your preferred operating system. After you download and run the installer, Norton360 will automatically run.

If you’re having a hard time using the Norton360 desktop app, you can always switch to the online dashboard. Norton’s web dashboard provides a much better user experience and is far more responsive while also offering all features.

As for the performance, Norton’s engine does impact the system slightly, especially during active scans, so it is advisable to schedule your scan during off-hours.

Platforms and Apps

As previously mentioned, Norton360 extends across multiple platforms and devices. 

Even though the macOS version of the Norton 360 Deluxe plan doesn’t have all features you get on Windows, it still stays way ahead of other antivirus programs. Mac users can still enjoy a wide array of Norton Security premium features, including on-demand malware scans, firewall, and phishing protection. 

Norton for Mobile

Our Norton mobile security review covers the features of the magnificent mobile protection aside from Norton’s unbeatable PC software. While not all of Norton’s security features are packed into a single app, both the iOS and Android mobile apps have a wide variety of protection services in common:

Norton’s Password Manager and Parental Control work as separate apps, whereas the Malware Blocker and App Advisor are exclusive to Norton 360 for Android. The App Advisor feature is rather useful, as it runs a scan of both already existing and apps yet to be installed. Apart from scanning already installed apps, the App Advisor will notify you which apps have no privacy risks and use the most battery. Some AV softwares offer a similar tool on the mobile app, which detects potentially dangerous apps and quarantines them.

  • App Advisor
  • Malware Protection
  • Wi-Fi Security
  • Norton Safe Search and Safe Web
  • Device Security
  • SMS Security

Plans and Pricing

Norton360 offers four subscription plans worldwide. Whilst there is no free Norton AntiVirus, you can subscribe to the Norton AntiVirus free trial and try out all features for 14 days. Have a closer look at the Norton Security Premium plans available in Australia to see which Norton AntiVirus price would be the most suitable for you:

Compared to its top competitor Kaspersky, which starts at A$20.95, Norton comes at a somewhat higher price but provides much more tools and features in turn.

In the event that you want to cancel your Norton Security free trial or your subscription plan, visit my.norton.com. You can also contact Member Services and Support. For current top deals and discount offers, check Norton’s official website.

Customer Support

Norton provides customer service through various channels: 

  • Email
  • Live chat
  • Telephone

The tech support is available in many different languages, including English, German, Turkish, Dutch, and even Mandarin. This gives Norton360 an advantage over its competitors like ESET, which offers support in fewer languages. Norton’s customer care representatives are generally exceedingly knowledgeable, cooperative, and helpful while troubleshooting issues with your product.

Is Norton AntiVirus for you?

It’s safe to say that Norton360 is the best antivirus for 2022. This is justified by its unmatched malware detection ability, mobile support, tools, user interface, and value for money. Some other antivirus programs like McAfee and Bitdefender also have spotless detection rates, but none of them come close to Norton’s unparalleled performance, and the advanced features offer.

With the Norton Security price a little more on the expensive side, it may seem unappealing for some users. Still, you can safely test out its marvellous features before deciding, thanks to the Norton Security free trial and the 60-day money-back guarantee. We hope this Norton AntiVirus review will help you decide if this software is the one for you.

1. Is there a free version of Norton AntiVirus?

Norton does not currently offer a free version of its antivirus software but has a 14-day free trial so that you can try it out.

2. Which one is better, McAfee or Norton?

Although both programs currently provide top-notch malware protection, our Norton Antivirus review shows Norton beats McAfee with its wider variety of features for a slightly higher price.

3. Does Norton remove pre-existing viruses?

As we’ve covered in our Norton AntiVirus review, Norton guarantees a 100% detection rate. The virus detection removal process can take a bit longer but doesn’t require any particular user input, as it performs automatically. Norton even offers Virus Protection Promise, which means you get a refund in case Norton’s expert isn’t able to remove the virus from your device.