Product Overview of Norton 360
Norton 360 is a comprehensive, all-in-one anti-malware solution designed to protect users against a wide range of online threats, ensuring robust device security and privacy. Here’s a detailed look at what Norton 360 does and its key features.
Primary Function
Norton 360 is engineered to safeguard your devices, including PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS smartphones, and tablets, from various cyber threats. It combines advanced antivirus protection, firewall security, VPN access, and additional features to provide a multi-layered defense mechanism.
Key Features
Real-time Threat Protection
Norton 360 utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to monitor and protect against common online threats such as viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, and other emerging threats in real-time.
Malware and Virus Scans
The software offers several types of scans, including:
- Smart Scan: Checks for privacy issues, tunes up the system, and scans for malware.
- Quick Scan: Focuses on temporary files, system files, and running processes.
- Full System Scan: A comprehensive scan of the entire device.
- Custom Scan: Allows scanning of specific files, folders, and disk locations.
- Norton Insight: Identifies suspicious files that may require a custom scan.
Smart Firewall
Norton’s Smart Firewall acts as a gatekeeper, monitoring both incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent cyber threats. It works in conjunction with an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to detect and block unauthorized access and potential data leaks.
Secure VPN
Included with every Norton 360 plan, the Secure VPN allows users to browse anonymously and securely with bank-grade encryption, protecting sensitive information like passwords and bank details.
Cloud Backup
Norton 360 offers automatic and secure cloud backup, varying in storage capacity depending on the plan:
- Norton 360 Standard: 2 GB for one device.
- Norton 360 Deluxe: 50 GB for up to 5 devices.
- Norton 360 with LifeLock plans: Up to 500 GB for multiple devices.
Norton Safe Web and Safe Search
The Norton Safe Web browser extension provides website safety ratings, indicating whether a site is safe (green), unknown (grey), potentially risky (yellow), or risky (red). It also includes Link Guard, which warns users about suspicious URLs in emails and social media.
Dark Web Monitoring
Available in higher-tier plans, Dark Web Monitoring alerts users if their personal information is found on the dark web, adding an extra layer of identity protection.
Password Manager
Norton 360 includes a password manager to securely create, store, and manage passwords, credit card information, and other credentials.
Parental Control
For family protection, Norton 360 Premium and higher plans offer parental control features to help safeguard children online.
Protection Against Spyware and Webcam Access
The software includes SafeCam, which blocks unauthorized webcam access, and protects against spyware that could infiltrate and spy on users without their knowledge.
Proactive Exploit Protection (PEP) and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Norton’s PEP recognizes and blocks malicious software behaviors, while the IPS scans network traffic for security vulnerabilities, preventing unauthorized access and data leaks. These features are particularly effective against zero-day attacks and are integrated into the Safe Web feature.
Additional Tools
- Norton Power Eraser: A free, standalone malware removal tool for Windows users to remove stubborn malware threats.
- Virus Protection Promise: If Norton cannot remove a virus from your device, you are eligible for a refund.
In summary, Norton 360 is a robust cybersecurity solution that offers a wide array of features to protect devices from various online threats, ensuring both security and privacy for users. Its comprehensive suite includes real-time threat protection, advanced firewall security, secure VPN, cloud backup, and several other tools to provide a holistic approach to cybersecurity.