Posted by Mumbai: Norton 360 – a broad all-in-one security product from NortonLifeLock made its debut late last year. In this review, TechHerald takes a close look at Norton 360 security software across all its key features and functionalities.
The consumer security software product comes in four different plans – Norton Anti-virus Plus, Norton 360, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 Premium.
Each plan package varies in terms of the protection it offers per the number of devices (1, 2, 3, 5, and up to 10 devices), security features, and pricing is based on subscription period (1 and 2 years).
For this review, TechHerald.in was supplied with a link to Norton 360 Deluxe. This security software package with a one-year subscription can be installed on 5 devices and secured. The downloadable link will first let Norton set up an installer on the system, and then further download 226 MB of the executable files of Norton 360 Deluxe security software.
After the installation, Norton 360 Deluxe asks to sign up and register the security software with either an existing Norton user account or create a new one with personal details such as name, email, and so on. This is pretty much a standard procedure that most software vendors follow at the time of installing any software program.
Device Security
Post the installation and registration, Norton 360 Deluxe software will get executed on the device and then will communicate and connect with the Norton server over the internet. And that’s how Norton 360 gets activated on the device.
On activation, Norton 360 will prompt a message – this device is protected, which simply means the security software has been successfully installed and activated on the device. And now the device is secured and protected.
Thereafter, the software will ask for a quick scan of the device or run live update. On selecting a quick scan, Norton 360 will run a complete system scan across all the files and directories, registry entries, processes, startup items, network, and browser items, and other stuff installed on the system.
During the scan process, Norton 360 will try to detect and look for any malicious or suspicious files or any program installed on the device. And if it does find such files then it will show it on the lower right-hand side corner.
After the scan process is completed, a summary report of all the scanned items is shown including total security risks detected and also those risks that require attention.
The scan process has a File Insight feature, which actually points out the detected threat that is being emanated from any particular file or program found on the device and then takes action against the threat.
Detect and response is a core principle, based on which most security software works to mitigate threats and risks. Norton 360 runs on the same security principle as well.
File Insight feature is quite powerful and interesting as it provides users with detailed information about the detected risk.
The feature provides information on the detected threats and risks posed by any particular file or program with the threat name, file release date, type of risk level as well as its use, origin and activity on the device. While that’s on the scanning side.
On Norton LiveUpdate front, the software will check for updates by connecting with Norton servers, download the available updates and then patch them automatically.
Online Threat Protection & PC SafeCam
Among Norton 360’s other security features include Online Threat Protection against malware, spyware, spam, phishing and ransomware attacks on user devices like a personal computer (PC), laptop, tablet, and mobile phone.
With Norton 360, NortonLifeLock has addressed users’ privacy concerns with strong controls in place. It provides security against malware, virus, spyware and ransomware with real-time threat protection coupled with firewall, password manager and webcam protection capabilities.
Norton 360 comes with user-identity and data protection features for online banking and shopping activities. Other consumer security software vendors also have a similar feature, which automatically gets activated when users try to access or open any e-commerce or banking website.
Password Manager
Norton Password Manager lets the user store user names, passwords, contact details, and even payment card details. It uses a secure 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption, which is also known as Rijndael. It creates a vault for the user called My Password Vault.
Also, it gauges the existing password’s strength and generates strong new passwords as well. The password manager’s powerful features automatically change passwords across more than 60 websites like Facebook, Amazon, and others. It has auto-fill login details and payment information on the website. It is like a web-based app or plugin that works through the browser.
The password vault comes with a safety dashboard tool, which gives the user overall marks or scores depending on password strength. More so, Norton Password Manager has an automatically changing user password feature on compatible site with a single click.
Cloud Backup
Norton 360 offers Cloud Backup up to 75 GB of cloud storage. This cloud storage volume is much higher than what other consumer security vendors like Kaspersky. It lets the user store and protect important files, documents, and data in the cloud.
Here, the user has the freedom to choose the files (different types of files – documents, pictures, videos, & other) that need backup, its location, and also its frequency. While the user has all the freedom to select which files need backup, Norton 360 also has an automatic backup option, which does the task automatically when the system is not in use.
Cloud Backup feature has dual functions – manages all the storage and backup of data and also prevents data loss in case of hard drive malfunctions, device stolen or even if there’s any ransomware attack.
Secure VPN
Norton 360 provides secure internet access over public Wi-Fi through unlimited Secure VPN (virtual private network) service.
Generally, most Secure VPN services available today come with certain limits pertaining to the amount of data accessed, number of servers, usage duration, and most importantly, to avail VPN Service, the user will need to pay some fees. But that’s not with Norton’s Secure VPN feature as it comes free and the service is unlimited.
Norton’s Secure VPN feature hides user-IP address and location and protects the user from hackers trying to attack and exploit any open IP address. It does not keep any record of browsing history means no log records will be there and that results in complete privacy for the user and all the data accessed through the network remains encrypted end-to-end and secure.
However, Norton’s Secure VPN does affect the internet speed to an extent but may not be noticeable to the user.
Parental Controls
Parental Controls (only available with Norton 360 Deluxe and 360 Premium) works on the second or the child’s device, where it monitors and controls the device as well browser. It keeps a check on a child’s web surfing habit with download and content filtering, GPS (global positioning system) based device location monitoring, and more.
Users can configure the Parent Controls feature by installing a small client Norton Family App on the child’s device and then setting rules for device access and usage duration, internet browsing with website monitoring, and content filtering based on keyword searches and downloads. This does help to make a child’s access to computer devices manageable and internet surfing safer as well.
Interestingly, the small app sends emails to the user/parents with a weekly summary report of what the child is doing on the device including access to the internet, websites, videos, apps and more. Parental Controls feature does offer an added advantage to the user /parents in extending cybersecurity to their child’s device, usage and safety.
In terms of Norton 360’s key features:-
- Integrated Secure VPN: Offers bank-grade encryption to help protect the information sent to and from your devices.
- Increased Cloud Backup: Up to 75 GB of cloud storage to store and protect important files and documents as a preventative measure against data loss due to hard drive failures, stolen devices and even ransomware.
- PC SafeCam: Alerts you if it detects any attempts to access your webcam and helps block those who are not authorised to access it.
- Device Security: Protection for multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets against ransomware, viruses, spyware, malware, and other online threats.
- Parental Controls: Helps children safely explore the Internet (available with Deluxe and Premium tiers).
- Online Threat Protection: Advanced security helps protect your private and financial information when online.
- Smart Firewall: Helps protect your device and data from malicious attacks and intrusive eyes by monitoring and blocking suspicious network traffic.
- Password Manager: Stores usernames and passwords, generates strong passwords for new logins and password updates, and synchronises across multiple browsers, computers, and devices.
- 100% Virus Protection Promise: Norton LifeLock experts are available to help keep devices virus-free, or money will be refunded.
With Norton 360, NortonLifeLock has taken security and online protection in the consumer segment to a whole new level. That makes Norton 360 – a heavily feature-loaded cybersecurity product available today in the market for the end-users.
Norton 360 is built on new security architecture, according to NortonLifeLock. It integrates key aspects of network security, device hardware, software, and cloud-stored data. This altogether provides wider protection with comprehensive security to user devices and data.
Pricing and availability
As mentioned earlier Norton 360 is available in three variants Standard, Deluxe, and Premium with an annual subscription. This is platform-agnostic security software, which is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS devices. Pricing starts from Rs 2,099/year in India. Users can purchase these subscriptions from the NortonLifeLock website.
The review of Norton 360 has certainly matched the company’s claim of a comprehensive all-in-one security solution for personal computers (PCs) and mobile devices that protects the online identity of users and data.
For this review, TechHerald.in had installed Norton 360 Deluxe security software on installed on a Windows 10 laptop. TechHerald.in has ensured to give an unbiased review based on the results and data it gathered during this review of Norton 360.
Rating
In this review, TechHerald found Norton 360 – a broad all-in-one security product with powerful features and great value product with a 4.5 rating out of 5.
