Best for Comprehensive Protection
- Protects against viruses
- Thwarts malware
- Scans for ransomware
- Watches out for spyware
- Blocks phishing scams
Norton Antivirus at a Glance
Norton Antivirus has an extensive collection of antivirus and internet security programs. From its antivirus programs to secure VPN services, if you’ve bought a computer in the last decade, you’ve probably seen Norton in action.
Like all the best digital defenders, Norton scans your device regularly and compares code in your device to its database of malware and viruses. We focused on the Norton with LifeLock suite of programs for this review, but dive into the website and you’ll find a whole zoo of programs to protect your devices.
Norton Pricing and Plans
Norton 360 with LifeLock has three pricing options. Each program requires a low monthly fee and works with Mac, iOS, PC, and Android devices.
They all protect against basic online threats like spyware, viruses, malware, and ransomware. All three of the Norton 360 programs include features you’d normally have to pay extra for, too.
Even with the Select plan, you get online threat protection, a smart firewall, a password manager, and a secure VPN.
| Annual Fee |
| Devices Protected |
| Backup Storage |
| Virus, Malware, Ransomware, Spyware Protection |
| Transaction Monitoring |
| Retirement and Investment Monitoring |
| Learn More |
|
Norton 360 Select
|
Norton 360 Advantage
|
Norton 360 Ultimate Plus
|
 |
|
|
| $99.99 | $199.99 | $299.99 |
| Up to 5 | Up to 10 | Unlimited |
| 100GB | 250GB | 500GB |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
| No X |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
| No X |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| Visit Norton | Visit Norton | Visit Norton |
As of 01/13/2020, prices and information subject to change.
Pros
Works for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android
Aside from the automatic file backup and extra storage included with the Premium Plan, all of the suite’s features are available for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. Competing products often won’t work across multiple operating systems.
Unique protection
It’s not every antivirus software that provides identity theft protection if when your information gets swiped, but Norton does. Granted, you have to pay more for this service, but the Advantage and Ultimate Plus plans both offer services other antivirus programs can’t touch.
- Transaction monitoring watches your online transactions for any shady activity
- Retirement and investment monitoring protects your assets like your 401k from online invasion
- Identity restoration connects you with an Identity Restoration Specialist who can help you get your information back
Cons
Limited features for all devices
While the cheapest plan has some powerful features, not all of them work for every device. Before you sign up for a plan, be sure to read the fine print to see if your device can support the features you want.
Norton Antivirus Features and Usability
Pros
Consistent, Comprehensive Protection
There’s a reason Norton is one of the most well-known and trusted names in the antivirus business. Even the most critical reviewers have to acknowledge that Norton does a good job of preventing active malware intrusion and has a very high overall detection rate.
Clean User Interface
In recent years Norton has streamlined its UI to be simpler and more customer-friendly, dividing its services into four easy-to-access tabs.
Silent Mode
Norton offers the option to silence notifications, a mode particularly appreciated by gamers.
Cons
False Positives
Compared to other antivirus programs, Norton has a relatively high percentage of false positives (safe programs flagged as dangerous or potentially unwanted programs). Flagging safe programs is better than missing dangerous ones, but it can hinder usability—particularly without a clear user-override option. Norton has improved in this area in recent years, but users and reviewers still report problems.
High RAM Use
While it has slimmed down in recent years, Norton Security Suite is still not a light program. It uses a significant amount of memory, especially during live updates and scans.
Less Effective for Adware
While almost completely effective for viruses and malware, Norton has shown less diehard security measures when it comes to adware.
Notification Delays
Users and reviewers have noted delays between the scanning of a file and the notification of any problems or resolution. This is a minor concern but is a pet peeve for some tech aficionados.
Norton Antivirus FAQs
Is there a free trial of the Norton Security Suite?
Symantec offers 30-day free trials of its top two plans, Norton Security Deluxe and Norton Security Premium.
Do any of the plans include VPN service?
No. For that level of protection, you have to add Wi-Fi Privacy for an additional cost.
Is it true that Norton customer support experts have scammed clients?
No. In recent years, many customers have claimed that Norton customer support has either tricked them into “fixing” a nonexistent virus or actually implanted a virus (via customer-granted remote access for assistance) in order to remove it. In both of these situations, customers have been charged upwards of $100 for virus removal.
These are the result of customer service scams, often in the form of infection warning pop-ups listing a false phone number for Norton customer support. Official Norton customer support is free to subscribers and will not contact you unsolicited. Visit Norton’s technical support page for more information on how to avoid these kinds of scams and what to do if you fall into one.
The Bottom Line
Norton Security Suite continues to be a solid choice for antivirus and internet security protection. It has a great track record for virus and malware detection and is competitively priced. But it is a bit clunky in its usability and includes fewer extra features than some competitors.
Pros
- Provides consistent protection from viruses, malware, and internet threats
- Works for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS
Cons
- Lacks specialty features
- Reports false positives
How We Evaluated Norton Antivirus
We’ve put Norton to the test, carefully researching the company, studying expert reviews, and comparing customer ratings to evaluate the features, usability, and cost of their antivirus software. For more information on how we evaluated Norton Antivirus, take a look at our methodology.
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