Overview
Norton is one of the largest pioneers in antivirus protection. The company markets itself as the global leader in next-generation cyber security, continues making Norton security, backup and antivirus software packages including Norton Security for One Device, Norton Security and Norton Security with Backup.
Norton was founded in 1982 in Sunnyvale, California and is now located in Mountain View, California.
Norton at a Glance
Features: premium safety features
Support: free 24/7 customer support
Guarantee: 60-day money-back guarantee
Best For
- Beginners looking for an easy-to-use antivirus software
- Users that need complete virus and malware protection
- Parents who want comprehensive family safety features
Top 10 Antivirus Software earns commissions from Norton LifeLock from buying links on this page
What Is Norton?
- Full antivirus protection
- Firewall protection
- Identity and financial protection
- Parental controls
- Email and spam blocking
- Password manager
- PC optimization tools
Norton Features
- Features: Full Featured Protection
- Ease of Use: Easiest For Users
- Reliability: Average
- Value: Average
- Money Back Guarantee: 60-Day
Norton 360 Standard: For $32.99 for your first year, the Norton 360 Standard package has everything offered by Norton Antivirus Plus, but also offers 10 GB cloud backup, Secure VPN, SafeCam, and Dark Web Monitoring (Powered by LifeLock), for a safer intenet browsing experience.
Norton 360 Deluxe: For $44.99 for your first year, this package protects up to 5 PC's, Mac's, smartphones or tablets. In addition to the Standard package, Deluxe offers 50 GB cloud backup and parental control.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select: For $99.99 for your first year, this package has everything you get with the Deluxe package, but also includes 100 GB cloud backup, LifeLock ID alert system, credit monitoring and a million dollar protection package.
PC Cleaners & Tune-Ups
Norton offers a Utilities Premium service that provides regularly scheduled cleanings and performance improvements designed to keep your PC running swiftly and without impediment. The subscription-based service removes clutter, discards unused applications, frees up space, and repairs other common issues in the OS that contribute to lags and crashes. The service is automated and easy to use, allowing PC owners to maintain their computers’ health and keep it running optimally with little to no effort.
How Norton Works
How to Get Started With Norton
Norton Security's antivirus software is competitive with other top providers such as Kaspersky and McAfee as one of the easiest antivirus software packages to use. Users can quickly determine the security and vulnerability of their device at a glance. With just a few clicks, users can perform quick scans, full scans, backups or performance optimizations of their system.
The software has a very quick installation that walks users through the software features as it installs. Fast installation and a smaller application size, however, do not offset the average performance and detection rates of Norton Security compared to its competitors.
Its dashboard also allows users to easily run antivirus scans, updates, identity theft settings, online backups, and PC tune ups. The dashboard is clean, easy to read and intuitive. Depending on the package, the Web portal makes it even easier to protect all of your devices from one location, and all with a single subscription.
Parental controls and family safety features are quite possibly the software's best aspect. Users can be configured from a website dashboard with various restrictions and those restrictions are automatically enforced on all of the user's devices. It also has integrated reporting for giving valuable feedback to parents taking an active interest in protecting their children. Parents can then making new restrictions based upon their child's usage behaviors.
Norton Customer Support
Like its competitors, Norton provides customers with many support options. The website’s support center includes a knowledge base with articles, videos, downloads and FAQs. Users can use Norton's online chat, email or purchase various support packages. There are local offices all over the world, so no matter where you are, you will find someone who speaks your language.
If you want to learn how to use Norton products more effectively, a variety of of education services are available on the official Norton website. Users can request a consultation with an expert, sign up for instructor-led or private training sessions, as well as access to an in-depth eLibrary.
User Experience
AV-Test, one of the industry’s most respected independent testers, has consistently reported that Norton is one of the easiest to use antivirus products, for both beginners and professionals. Being one of the first brands to market, the interface has been copied by many latecomers to the antivirus party so it may all feel very familiar.
With intelligent scanning and low-resource activity, it can be run on low-spec computers without interruption to user experience and is accessible for all skill levels to use. The features are easy to toggle on or off, and it’s easy to learn how to use extras like backing up files and photos.
Review in Short
Norton gives you easy-to-use protection with in-depth parental controls. Depending on the package, Norton Security includes full antivirus protection, firewall protection, identity and financial protection, parental controls, email and spam blocking, password manager, PC optimization tools and 25 GB online backup storage for up to 10 computers or devices.
When it comes to virus protection, while the Norton Security's detection rates may leave something to be desired, the solid parental controls and ease of use make it a great choice for users looking for average virus detection coupled with top of the line parental controls for their family.
Norton Pricing
How Much Does Norton Cost?
Here's a summary of the prices that Norton offers for its products:
AntiVirus Plus
Price: Originally $59.99, currently on a 66% discount at $19.99 for the first year.
Coverage: 1 PC, Mac, tablet, or phone.
Features: Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, 100% Virus Protection Promise, 2GB Cloud Backup, and Password Manager.
Standard
Price: Originally $94.99, currently on a 57% discount at $39.99 for the first year.
Coverage: 3 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones.
Features: All features from AntiVirus Plus, plus VPN private internet connection and Dark Web Monitoring.
Deluxe
Price: Originally $119.99, currently on a 58% discount at $49.99 for the first year.
Coverage: 5 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones.
Features: All features from Standard, plus 50GB Cloud Backup, Privacy Monitor, and Parental Control.
Select + LifeLock
Price: Originally $179.99, currently on a 44% discount at $99.99 for the first year.
Coverage: 10 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones.
Features: All features from Deluxe, plus 250GB Cloud Backup and LifeLock identity theft protection.
Additionally, there are other products and services like Norton 360 for Gamers, Norton Secure VPN starting from $4.99 per month, and various other tools and utilities.
Value for Money
Among the best antivirus software companies, Norton offers average protection at very competitive prices. Norton's products (like Norton) are an excellent choice for users interested in an easy-to-use software package with average detection rates and extremely powerful parental control features.
One great value added of Norton Security is the 60-day money back guarantee - no questions asked.
In addition to the 60-day money back guarantee, Norton also offers a Virus Protection Promise. If a security expert is unable to remove a virus using a specific product you will get 100% of your money back.
Bottom Line
Norton stands out as a well-established brand in the antivirus industry, offering comprehensive protection across multiple devices. While its virus detection rates may be average, it compensates with robust parental controls, ease of use, and a suite of features that cater to both beginners and professionals.
The software's user-friendly interface, combined with a 60-day money-back guarantee and a unique Virus Protection Promise, makes it a reliable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of performance and security. The competitive pricing further enhances its appeal, making it a commendable option for those prioritizing both protection and value for money.
