With 2023 almost half over, cybersecurity breaches keep system administrators vigilant against cybercriminal acts such as phishing and ransomware, among others. Meanwhile, Norton’s machine learning capabilities and advanced identity theft protection keep people inside digital spaces safe.
Norton’s influence started in the mid-80s as computer scientists began developing small executables for tweaking the internal coding of other computer programs. In less than a decade, these early utility programs had proliferated (and been rewritten) throughout the developing private and public internet.
Two competing user processes were developed–one for protecting against hackers and one for discovering security flaws. Today, Norton protects against every one of the 1.2 billion viruses and other malware that plague our digital lives.
Norton Features at a Glance
The need for Norton’s antivirus protection started shortly after the first computer virus appeared as malicious coding. Symantec acquired Peter Norton Computing and started marketing Norton antivirus in 1990. Since then, Norton’s extensive experience has made it the top internet and computer protection provider.
What makes Norton stand out in a crowded antivirus software market? More than 30 years of cybersecurity research and development support Norton’s 2023 antivirus protection. While there isn’t a free version, adding award-winning virus protection costs pennies to operate.
Here are some of the key features Norton has to offer:
- A modern dashboard interface puts users in control of their digital footprint.
- Real-time virus protection across multiple devices and internet access points.
- Advanced parental controls and a smart firewall.
- A secured password manager.
- Important work in Norton’s secure cloud network.
- Computer optimization tools.
Norton has billions of installs worldwide and is the dominant provider of cybersecurity services. A market share of more than 70% proves there’s no better partner for your cybersecurity needs.
More than Antivirus Protection
Today’s internet users access their digital lives through several electronic devices. However, when Norton started, you could only access the early internet with personal computers and Macs. Today, most people access the internet with a smartphone, which at its core is a computer or an iPhone (an advanced Mac).
2023 Norton is redesigned, optimized, and turbocharged for today’s internet usage, especially when using smartphones. In addition to antivirus software, Norton advances total cybersecurity protection with identity theft protection. Norton merged with LifeLock and expanded software packages that provide real cradle-to-grave identity security.
Norton Review: Pros and Cons
Here’s a breakdown of some of the major pros and cons of Norton.
Pros
- Experience – Norton has as much, if not more, experience than any of its competitors. As such, it brings that experience to its cybersecurity products with a knowledge base of up-to-date viruses and other nefarious programs.
- Smartphone Virus Protection – Cybersecurity at the computer level without disrupting valuable social media feeds.
- Password Management – Now, you can put your dozens of passwords and usernames in a secured management package.
- VPN – Virtual private networks hide your IP while online.
Cons
There aren’t many cons in this Norton review, which illustrates how much research and development went into Norton’s line of products for 2023.
- No Free Version – Norton doesn’t have a free version.
- Expensive – Norton’s premium plans have excellent tools but come at a premium price.
- Cluttered – The dashboard can seem overwhelming to people unfamiliar with Norton’s feature-rich virus protection.
- Incomplete – Some features either need a costly subscription or don’t have the necessary apps installed. This is particularly true with computer/smartphone integration as more users access the internet with phones and devices.
Norton 360 Antivirus
At the core of Norton’s four plan options is the ability to recognize, then destroy or quarantine, all current viruses known to the tech world. Real-time protection against all threats helps users be safe online.
AntiVirus Plus
This is the basic antivirus scanner with some computer utilities. The entry point features carry over into the other three plan options. Prices vary, but you can expect to pay about $20 a year for the following basic features:
- 100% virus protection promise.
- Protection from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers.
- Password manager
- 2 GB of dedicated cloud storage for system backups.
With the next three plans, the features increase and add to features in the traditional antivirus software. Norton compartmentalizes these plans so that a wider selection of computer and smartphone users can enjoy new cybersecurity features.
Norton Standard
As Norton moves up the plan tier, the company added extra internet security tools that are becoming popular online.
- 100% virus protection promise.
- Protection from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers.
- Password manager
- 2 GB of dedicated cloud storage for system backups.
- VPN for making private and secure internet connections.
- Dark web monitoring.
Norton Deluxe
- 100% virus protection promise.
- Protection from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers.
- Password manager.
- 2 GB of dedicated cloud storage for system backups.
- Parental controls.
- Privacy monitoring.
Norton Select + LifeLock
Norton’s security features are greatly enhanced by merging with LifeLock identity protection. While you can purchase separate identity theft protection, the ultimate cybersecurity protection is second to none when added to Norton’s antivirus scans.
- LifeLock identity theft protection
- 100% virus protection promise.
- Protection from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers.
- Password manager.
- 2 GB of dedicated cloud storage for system backups.
- Parental controls.
- Privacy monitoring.
Norton Select + LifeLock is the best all-around digital protection you can buy. Much of what goes on behind the scenes on the internet is hacker and cyber-criminal friendly. Likewise, your identity in the form of stolen information can float around the dark web without you even knowing. Select + LifeLock keeps your stolen information off the dark web and keeps dangerous malware and phishing schemes away from your digital identity.
Norton Scans Everything
Symantec and later Norton were early adopters of real-time computer protection. As such, the company is a leading cybersecurity provider because the employees and the work culture grew alongside the growing internet. However, they only recently added the other side of cybersecurity–identity protection.
State-of-the-art virus protection requires advanced file scanners that work anywhere the user meets a potential cybersecurity threat. Norton LifeLock scans emails, social media feeds, and even the systems underneath the hood with things like SaS monitoring and potential IoT threats.
The Bottom Line
Norton has about 70% of the global antivirus market. This dominance received hefty security upgrades when Norton integrated LifeLock into their products. With this connection, cybercrime investigators have better chances of catching hackers as they try breaking in and not after the breach. The bottom line is that few programs work as well as Norton. The premium features make Norton expensive for some but well worth the price.