In this Norton Antivirus review, I’ll thoroughly explore the provider’s features and functionality for protecting users from cyber threats. I’ve extensively tested the product alongside a range of top security solutions, and I’ll cover its pricing, plans, and full feature set.
Besides its core antivirus tools, I’ll break down Norton’s extra features and help you determine whether it suits your budget and requirements, as well as looking at how it compares to the best antiviruses on the market.
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What is Norton Antivirus?
To combat modern cyber threats, Norton employs AI and machine learning. Norton’s cutting-edge technology and features ensure flawless detection rates, but it remains affordable, and its plans are competitively priced.
Is Norton Antivirus Safe?
Yes, Norton is a reliable antivirus provider that will keep your devices safe from cyber threats and won’t exploit your privacy. It has undergone rigorous third-party testing and is rated as being excellent at blocking malware, stopping 100% of zero-day threats.
Its in-depth scanning features, meanwhile, will help you identify and fix vulnerabilities on your devices and network to ensure your safety, and higher-tier plans come with numerous identity protection tools.
Norton Antivirus Plans & Pricing
Norton offers a range of plans for users. From its core antivirus protection service to its identity theft protection suite, it isn’t easy to find a provider with more comprehensive plans.
Here’s a list of Norton’s plans and what they offer:
Norton Antivirus Plans | Starting Price | Features |
---|---|---|
Norton AntiVirus Plus | $29.99/year | Antivirus protection, 2GB Cloud Backup, Password Manager, 100% Virus Protection Promise |
Norton 360 Standard | $39.99/year | + VPN, Dark Web Monitoring |
Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99/year | + 50GB Cloud Backup, Privacy Monitor, Parental Controls |
Norton 360 With LifeLock Select | $99.99/year | + 250GB Cloud Backup, Stolen Wallet Protection, SSN and Credit Alerts, $25k Stolen Funds Cover |
Norton 360 With LifeLock Advantage | $199.99/year | + Fraud Monitoring, Identity Lock, Bank and Credit Activity Alerts, $100k Stolen Funds Cover |
Norton 360 With LifeLock Ultimate Plus | $299.99/year | + 500GB Cloud Backup, 401(k) and Investment Alerts, Home Title Monitoring, $1m Stolen Funds Cover |
Can I Get Norton Antivirus for Free?
Norton doesn’t offer a free plan, but each of its plans has a free 30-day trial to test its services. It also offers free scans for email leaks and trackers and to check your privacy, and the password manager is available for free.
All of Norton’s plans also feature a generous 60-day money-back guarantee in case the product isn’t a fit for you.
Norton Antivirus Security Features – Is Norton Security Good?
Norton has one of the most comprehensive sets of features I’ve tested, running from basic virus scanning to robust identity theft protection features. In this section of my Norton review, I’ll cover what each of its features can do for you.
Norton Antivirus Performance
Following our comprehensive assessment methodology, I’ve thoroughly tested Norton, including all its apps, features, and tools, and have seen Norton consistently block malware without having a significant system impact. I did see a slight slowdown when running a full system scan, but this can be addressed by scheduling scans for when the machine isn’t being used.
In independent testing by AV-Test, a research lab that assesses antiviruses, Norton performed extremely well and got a perfect 18/18 score. When reviewing close to 18,000 samples in its most recent testing, Norton blocked 100% of zero-day threats and widespread malware attacks, reflecting the high quality of Norton’s delivery.
Norton has consistently excellent results for protection and has had full marks in this category in every assessment conducted by AV-Test in the last five years.
AV-Test gave Norton a score of 6/6 in performance, with a minimal processing impact and beating or matching industry averages in six of ten categories. Norton also scored 6/6 for usability, incorrectly flagging a single piece of software as suspicious when scanning over 1 million programs and websites.
Norton also received an Advanced+ three-star award from AV-Comparatives in its latest round of Windows performance testing, and scored a first-place score for its online detection rate and a 99.96% online protection rate.
Norton Antivirus Compatibility and Ease of Use
Norton is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems, and I found it easy to use in each case. While very slightly outdated, its apps are easy to master and ideal for both first-time and experienced antivirus users.
Norton for Windows
Norton works with Windows 7 or later versions and offers all of its advanced antivirus features for Windows users. I found it easy to use and navigate, and the only instance in which I noticed slower performance was while running a full scan.
The layout of its Windows app makes all its features easy to find, as it separates malware protection from its other solutions. In addition, I had no issues installing its browser extensions, and I wasn’t bothered by any pop-ups or ads.
Norton for macOS
Norton’s Mac client looks slightly different, but it’s easy to use and navigate. It works with the current and previous two versions of macOS.
Macs can get viruses, and Norton includes its top malware-removing features in its Mac app to help you stay safe. You’ll also find the firewall, VPN, performance tools, and other extra features. For more recommendations, see our guide on the best antiviruses for Mac.
Norton for Android
Norton works with Android 8.0 or later and has an intuitive interface that makes tackling threats a breeze. The app will inform you of vulnerabilities on your device or WiFi network and protect you from malware, ransomware, and adware.
One of my favorite Android features is SMS filtering, which warns of potential phishing attacks sent via text message. In testing, Norton’s Android app was quick and lightweight, meaning it won’t drain your device’s battery or slow it down.
For more Android security picks, see our guide to the best antivirus for Android – and Norton also ranks in our list of the best antiviruses for Chromebook.
Norton for iPhone and iOS
Although you can’t use third-party security apps like Norton to scan an iOS device, Norton will keep you safe from threats while browsing and using apps, SMS, MMS, email, and social networking sites on your iOS devices.
Although SMS filtering isn’t compatible with iMessage, it will protect you from fraudulent links leading to malicious websites, and, as on the Android app, I didn’t notice any battery drain or slowdowns.
How Does Norton Antivirus Compare Against Other Antiviruses?
Norton is a robust, powerful antivirus and rates among the best spyware removers and best malware removal solutions on the market. However, it faces tough competition from providers like McAfee and TotalAV. Here’s a quick overview of its features and the features of its closest competitors to help you compare them.
Norton Antivirus Alternatives | Starting Price | Max Devices | Real-Time Protection | Firewall | Antivirus Lab Testing Scores |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norton Antivirus | $29.99/year | Unlimited | ✅ | ✅ | 18/18 (Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6) |
TotalAV | $19/year | 8 | ✅ | ❌ | 17.5/18 (Protection: 6/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6) |
Bitdefender | $23.99/year | 25 | ✅ | ✅ | 18/18 (Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6) |
McAfee | $39.99/year | Unlimited | ✅ | ✅ | 18/18 (Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6) |
Malwarebytes | $44.99/year | 20 | ✅ | ❌ | 17/18 (Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6) |
How to Set Up Norton Antivirus
It takes just a few minutes to install Norton and run your first system scan. In this section of my Norton review, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide to help you get Norton up and running on Windows.
Subscribe to Norton
Head to Norton’s website and subscribe to one of its plans. Provide a valid email address and enter your payment details to finalize the transaction. You can also opt for a free trial to test its services.
Install Norton on Your Computer
You can download Norton’s Windows client after you subscribe, and running the program will initialize the installation process. Once you launch the installer, follow the on-screen instructions until the process is complete, which should take just a few minutes.
Scan Your Computer for Malware
Launching Norton will automatically enable its real-time malware protection. You can also launch a full system scan to detect even the most persistent malware on your computer by going to the “Scans” tab and selecting “Full Scan.”
Norton Antivirus Customer Support And User Reviews
Norton offers some of the best customer support in the industry, with 24/7 phone and live chat support channels. Its customer support teams are professional and knowledgeable and will answer questions regarding any aspect of the software.
It also offers a comprehensive knowledge base and a blog packed with helpful material, from tips on preventing phishing attacks to in-depth analyses of malware threats and their possible effects on your devices.
In addition to extensively testing the product, I’ve also researched Norton 360 reviews from users. Norton has a very positive score of 4.5/5 stars on Trustpilot, with more than 32,000 unique Norton Antivirus reviews. Of these, 65% of reviewers gave it five stars, while another 17% awarded it four stars.
Norton Antivirus user review on Trustpilot
Most Norton reviews on the site praise the service for delivering robust malware protection on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. Users also describe the service’s identity theft protection features as being particularly reliable.
Trustpilot user review for Norton Antivirus
Besides its malware and identity theft protection tools, users also spoke highly of Norton’s other additional security solutions, such as its password manager and performance tools.
Not every aspect of Norton’s services is praised, though. Negative reviews I came across complained about its low VPN server count and performance issues on budget PCs when running a full system scan. However, on the whole, is Norton a good antivirus? Users say yes.
If you think you’ve been targeted by a fake antivirus alert, read our guide to How to Recognize and Avoid the Norton LifeLock Scam.
How We Review And Test Antivirus Software
15 Antiviruses Tested
20 Datapoints Measured
300+ Hours Testing
500+ User Reviews Read
We base our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the Antivirus products we suggest, have been tested based on the following criteria:
- Core Security Features: We make sure that the antivirus software is fully equipped with features like real-time protection, scanning, a firewall, web protection, and more.
- Malware Detection Rates: We test malware detection rates ourselves by running both in-depth and quick scans on our devices. Additionally, we check independent lab tests.
- Compatibility: We check which devices and operating systems the antivirus software is compatible with. Often, different-looking dashboards and slightly different packages of features may be available.
- Performance Impact: A reliable and functional antivirus should not slow down your device significantly. So, we examine our device performance with and without the antivirus running.
- Customer Experience: Alongside our own experience, we are curious to know what real users have to say regarding the services. So, we’ve scoured the web for feedback on each of our tested antiviruses.
- Value for Money: We always consider value for money and how much each product is offering for the set price point.
FAQs
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References
- Norton Internet Security test results (AV-Test)
- The Underground Economy of Fake Antivirus Software (Department of Computer Science and Department of Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara)
- Data Brokers and Sensitive Data on U.S. Individuals (Duke Sanford)
- Performance Test September 2024 (AV-Comparatives)
- Malware Protection Test September 2024 (AV-Comparatives)
- TotalAV testing results (AV-Test)
- Bitdefender Internet Security testing results (AV-Test)
- McAfee Internet Security testing results (AV-Test)
- Malwarebytes Premium testing results (AV-Test)