Multiple layers of protection is yours for the taking with Norton 360 Standard. The high-quality Internet security software provides its users with comprehensive malware protection for multiple devices all at the same time. Instead of buying an antivirus solution for your PC AND your Mac, AND your iPhone, all you’ve got to do is get Norton 360 Standard and all your problems will be solved.

 

When you purchase Norton 360 Standard, you are getting value for money through and through. The antivirus software can protect a single PC, Mac, Android or IOS device all at the same time! As a cool added bonus, Norton 360 Standard also comes with an additional 10GB of secure cloud backup for your PC.

 

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Norton 360 Standard’s got other awesome features, too.  like a Dark Web Monitoring feature, which monitors the dark web and immediately notifies the user once they see the user’s personal information on the dark web. On top of all that Norton 360 Safecam features too, which helps keep hackers from gaining unauthorized access to a specific device.

 

Why Choose Norton 360 Standard?

norton 360 standard

According to the results of the real-world protection test conducted by AV-comparatives, Norton Antivirus detected and blocked about 99.3% of threats, which is a great result considering that 30 is above the industry average.

 

AV-Test Lab awarded the maximum 18 points to the latest version of Norton Antivirus (6 for protection, performance, and usability). It is worth noting though that historically, Norton would on average get 5.5 points for usability.

 

When it comes to malware protection, Norton is at the top of the antivirus game. If you try to access a website with malware in it, Norton would block the access showing a warning of danger. When trying to download an infected file, Norton would also warn you and stop the downloading process.

 

Once it detects a virus, Norton moves the virus to the quarantine folder to prevent it from harming the computer. Every time an infected file is stopped, Norton prevents further damage to the computer by informing the user where it thinks the threat is going to install itself on the computer.

 

All products have distinct advantages AND disadvantages. We’ve gone through a few of Norton’s good parts, now let’s go over some areas of improvement. Based on the results of some antivirus testing labs, sometimes the antivirus doesn’t block detected viruses. So, when you use it, you probably need to double-check to make sure that every detected threat is blocked and moved to the quarantine folder.

 

Another principal downsides is that it slows computers down during malware scans. The company claims they have resolved this issue, but it still persists in some devices. But we needed to see for ourselves. To check out how Norton S60 Standard affects the performance of Windows, we took an Asus notebook with Windows 10 OS and Intel Core i3-5005U processor.

 

Our team performed a standard OpenOffice-based benchmark test: during the process, we matched 20,000 addresses on a spreadsheet. Before antivirus installation, it took us 7 minutes to complete the task. After installation and activation of Norton, the time grew to 11 seconds. Although this level of performance impact seems to be serious, you aren’t likely to notice it.

 

During the full system scan, performance dropped by 30%, so Norton Antivirus is somewhere in the middle of antivirus solutions rating in terms of system impact.

 

As for the speed of scanning, Norton 360 Standard displays the average result: it takes over 1 hour to scan a hard drive, while a quick scan takes 3 minutes and 20 seconds. You can accelerate the process using the whitelist: add trustworthy files there, and you will limit scanning time only to the potentially dangerous files. After doing so, you can decrease the full scanning time to 20 minutes only.

 

Similar to other antivirus software, Norton offers three layers of protection including signature matching (the software is matched to the database of known malware packages). The protection is strengthened by heuristic analysis – it controls the behavior of software and checks the code of new programs to detect unknown malware before it affects your devices.

 

To top it off, Norton releases new signatures with updates several times a day – the samples from users’ machines are analyzed on the proprietary cloud servers. If anything is deemed dangerous, Norton’s team fixes vulnerabilities and sends signature updates. Norton features browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer. The extension checks destination headers for web packets for connection with known malicious websites.

 

What about a game mode? Although there is no game mode as it is, you can put the Norton Security application into Silent Mode and reduce the number of updates and user notifications when the full screen and 3D graphics are running. It’s the same when you power up your computer after long-term inactivity and do the updates later to avoid slowdown.

 

Together with the main Norton antivirus product you get defense against spyware, protection of the system’s Registry file to block the installation of unauthorized applications, and protection against ransomware and phishing.

 

Norton Interface 

The interface of the antivirus is intuitive and bright, and it contains all necessary links for simple management. When you open the program, you will see four major security options offered by Norton: Security, Backup, Performance, and Identity. If you need additional information, you need to click “More Norton.” There is a reminder that tells you when the subscription terminates and provides the link for renewal.

 

Superior Scanning Options

Norton Antivirus provides the following scanning options:

– Fast scanning of local files and discs

– Full scanning of a hard drive (detection of all known vulnerabilities)

– Scanning and repair of compressed files

– Rootkits and stealth items scan

– Scanning of the network during the Full scan and Custom scan. This option is turned on by default

– Heuristic Protection (detection of unknown threats). If the software detects a suspicious file, it’s categorized as infected and blocked

– Cookies scan. The software detects small files that might have been placed on the computer to track user’s activities

 

Norton has recently updated its product and now offers four packages to choose from. Norton Antivirus Plus is a basic package that will protect 1 PC or Mac from all types of malware and ransomware. Smart firewall, password manager and anti-phishing tools are also included in the package. Besides, the package comes with 2GB of safe cloud storage.

 

The Norton 360 Standard package is the next tier for 1 device that is compatible with iOS and Android as well. Moreover, with this package, you get more cloud storage (10 GB), webcam protection, VPN tool, and Dark Web Monitoring to protect your data.

 

Norton 360 Standard’s has a particularly aggressive set of firewall rules which activate as soon as installation is complete, which can lock down your PC’s network connections, depending on how you have it configured. If you’re connected to a public network, protocols such as RDP, file sharing and printer sharing will be disabled by default.

 

Norton’s firewall controls are clear and highly granular, with a few smart options to help protect against man-in-the-middle attacks and the ability to set per-interface trust levels. It can be disabled if you prefer working with the more familiar Windows Defender firewall.

 

While Norton’s core real-time system security features are enabled by default, including real-time browser protection, you’ll have to set up some features manually, such as the Safe Web browser plugin that warns against potentially malicious search results and phishing sites, and Norton’s own unnecessarily intrusive Safe Search and default home page options – we suggest avoiding the latter two.

 

Norton 360 Standard comes with plenty of extra security features, including a subscription to Norton Secure VPN, parental controls, system clean-up and optimisation tools, a password manager, 50GB of cloud storage for your backups and a webcam protection feature that alerts you when anything unexpected attempts to enable your camera. There’s a silent mode, too, so you don’t have to be bothered by alert pop-ups, but you can only enable it for a maximum of one day at a time.

 

There’s no integrated rescue disk creator, but a bootable recovery tool is available to download for free in case a catastrophic malware attack prevents you from getting into Windows.

 

When uninstalling the software, you’ll have to remember to uncheck the box offering layered protection, which will continue to periodically scan your computer for malware unless you opt out.

Pros

Excellent Malware Protection

Backup Software

Online Storage

Password Manager

Webcam Protection

Optional LifeLock ID Identity Protection

24/7 Customer Support

Silent Detection Mode

Browser Link Checking

Clients For Windows, macOS, Android, IOS

Cons

No File Shredder Or File Encryption

Heavy Slowdown During Full Scans

No Unlimited VPN coverage

High Renewal Price

Key Features

Anti-Spyware,Antivirus, Malware & Ransomware Protection

Multi-layered, advanced security helps protect against existing and emerging malware threats to your devices. Norton’s advanced security features also help protect your   private and financial information when you go online. What does this mean? This means that you can shop online without being afraid of malware or stealing of your credit card’s credentials. The files on your computer will be protected against encryption.

 

Phishing Detection

The anti-phishing protection feature detects suspicious links and files before they infect the user’s computer and steals the user’s personal information.

 

Online Threat Protection

Browse anonymously and securely with a no-log VPN. Add bank-grade encryption to help keep your information, like passwords and bank details, secure and private.

 

Cloud Backup

Automatic, secure cloud backup for PC’s to store and protect important files and documents against hard drive failures, stolen devices and even ransomware.

 

Smart Firewall

Easily create, store, and manage your passwords, credit card information and other credentials online, safely and securely.

 

Password Manager

Automatic, secure cloud backup for PCs to store and protect important files and documents against hard drive failure, stolen devices and even ransomware.

 

Virus Protection Promise

You configure the full-featured parental control system online, installing a small agent on each child’s device to enforce the rules. Among other things, you can set times when device access is allowed and set a daily maximum across devices.

 

Secure VPN

Norton consistently ranks among the top-performing cybersecurity products on the market, and there’s no question that it’s a powerful antivirus application.Browse anonymously and  securely with a no-log VPN. Add bank-grade encryption to help keep your information like passwords and bank details are secure and private.

 

Dark Web Monitoring 

Norton 360 Standard reverts to a manual scanner that detects and cleans up malware infections only when you run a scan. Norton monitors and notifies you if they find your personal information on the Dark Web.

Other Features

Online Threat Protection

Smart Firewall

Password Manager

Virus Protection Promise

Parental Control

Secure VPN

PC SafeCam

Dark Web Monitoring Powered by LifeLock

Windows Operating System Compatibility

Operating Systems Windows 10 (32Bit | 64Bit); Windows 8/8.1 (32Bit | 64Bit); Windows 7 (32Bit | 64Bit); Windows Vista (32Bit | 64Bit); Windows XP 32Bit (Service Pack 3 or Later)
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz)
RAM 2GB, 2048 MB (64-bit OS), 1024 MB (32-bit OS, except 256 MB for Windows XP)
Hard Disk Space 2.5GB
Support Browser Google Chrome 34 or Later; Microsoft Edge 40 or Later; Mozilla Firefox 51 or Later

Mac Operating System Compatibility

Operating Systems Current and previous two versions of Mac OS X; Password Management feature not supported; Norton Family and Norton Family Premier Features not supported
Processor Mac computer with Intel Core 2 Duo, core i3, Core i5, core i7, or Xeon processor
RAM 2GB
Hard Disk Space 300MB

How To Use

Think Norton 360 Standard  will be a good fit for your home or business? Learn more about its features and current price here.

 

To activate Norton 360, you can use one of the following methods:

  • Go to my.norton.com and click Sign In.
    If you do not have a Norton account, click Create an Account and complete the signup process.
  • Type in your email address and password for Norton, and click Sign In.
  • In the My Norton portal, click Download.
    If you are installing on Windows 10 in S mode, click Get it from Microsoft and follow the prompts to install from the Microsoft store.
  • In the Get Started page, click Agree & Download.
  • If you are on a mobile device, choose the subscription that you want to download and tap Next.
  • To install Norton device security, choose one of the options based on your device:
  • Once the download completes, run the installer from your browser.
  • In Internet explorer or Microsoft Edge click Run.
  • In Firefox or Safari, on the top-right corner, click the downloads icon, then click the Norton installer.
  • In Chrome, on the bottom-left corner, click the Norton installer.
  • If the User Account Control window appears, click Continue. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

About Norton 

Norton AntiVirus is an anti-virus or anti-malware software product, developed and distributed by Symantec Corporation in 1991. Norton AntiVirus is part of the Norton family of computer security products. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features included in it are e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection.

 

Symantec distributes the product as a download, a box copy, and as OEM software. Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security, a related product, held a 61% US retail market share for security suites as of the first half of 2007. Competitors, in terms of market share in this study, include antivirus products from CA, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky Lab.

 

Norton AntiVirus runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. Windows 7 support was in development for versions 2006 through 2008. Version 2009 has Windows 7 supported update already. Versions 2010, 2011, and 2012 all natively support Windows 7, without needing an update. Version 12 is the only version fully compatible with Mac OS X Lion. With the 2015 series of products, Symantec made changes in its portfolio and briefly discontinued Norton AntiVirus. This action was later reversed with the introduction of Norton AntiVirus Basic.

Final Thoughts

Symantec’s antivirus engine is among the most widely tested, which means that we have plenty of solid evidence of its outstanding performance. It performed nearly perfectly in the latest tests by three of the most rigorous anti-malware testing labs: AV-TEST, AV Comparatives and SELabs, making Symantec’s Norton range our top paid-for antivirus suites for home users.

 

If staying safe online is your priority, it’s hard to argue with those scores. It’s also great to see that such protection doesn’t come at a cost to system performance, with Norton 360 having a low impact on PC processes.

 

Throw in the fact that you can protect MacOS, iOS and Android devices as well as Windows machines, covering up to ten devices with Norton 360 Premium in your home in total makes Symantec’s offering a solid choice for families and busy homes.

 

Independent testing proves that Norton 360’s antivirus protection claims are impeccable. Add low system impact, generous first year prices and multi-platform support, as well as extra features like the password manager, parental controls and a VPN, means that Symantec’s Norton 360 Standard  stands out from the pack.

 

Did you like our product review? Did it make you want to buy Norton 350 Standard? Or do you want to widen your options, know more about the other types of antivirus software in the market?

 

If you would like to still keep your options open, we totally get that. We’ve got other types of antivirus and anti spyware software on our website, and they might just fit your needs better. You are more than welcome to check out those, and you are welcome to stay on our site as long as you like! Everyone here at Firewall Guide is committed to serving you to the best of our ability. If you’ve got suggestions on how to improve the site, feel free to drop us a line. Just go to our Contact US tab and type away! See you!