Norton 360 — Fastest Cleanup & Optimization Tools 2022

Nortonremains my top antivirus program for 2022. It is a strong antimalware engine, as well as an array of internet security instruments. The online dashboard is easy to use and offers great customer support. All this at a much lower price than many antivirus products.

Norton’s anti-malware engine is based on machine learning, advanced algorithms, as well as a continuously updated malware directory. The engine can detect all forms of malware, including trojans, viruses, ransomware, cryptojackers and many more. Norton’s full scanner, real-time security and malware detection were able detect all the malware files I attempted to download during my testing. There was little system slowdown.

Norton also offers

• Firewall.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• Parental control.
• SecureVPN (virtual private networks)
• Cloud backup.
• Privacy protection.
• Webcam Protection (Windows only).
• Identity protection (US only)

Norton works well but is not perfect. 4 additional apps are required to provide complete security for your mobile device. Norton’s VPN allows you to protect web access from multiple servers around the world. However, the VPN won’t work with streaming media like Netflix or Hulu. It’s slower than many competitors and doesn’t allow torrenting.

Norton 360 has some issues that I don’t like, but overall I find it a great deal. I was amazed at the number of features that each package offered. Many of their antimalware scanners offer more features that the Norton 360. However, most of Norton 360’s security tools would be worth buying on their own. Norton offers a 60 day money-back guarantee. There is plenty of space and time to test it and determine if it is the right one for you.

Norton 360 Full Reviewed

Norton offers a wide range of high-value security features. These tools can be used to improve cybersecurity protections.

The cheapest plan includes antiphishing protection, firewall protection, and protection against webcams. The plan also includes a password manager, 10GB cloud storage, and a password manager.

Norton Security Features

Anti-Malware Engine

Norton utilizes machine-learning and a comprehensive malware directory to detect malware. It provides real-time protection against malware that has been downloaded from iOS, Android Windows, Windows, and Mac.

I downloaded almost 1,000 files of malware to test my system. It also contained trojans. trojans. backdoors. keyloggers. rootkits. zero day attacks. ransomware. spyware. Cryptojackers. PUPs.

Norton detected all the malware files that I had stored on my hard disk and captured them 100% with a system scan. Norton is the only competitor with such a high rate of malware detection (like Bitdefender and Advira).

After running Norton’s full scan, I was able to turn on my real-time security and attempt to download the same 997 malware files as before. Norton blocked all files that were not encrypted before my computer could download them. Norton also blocked any zipped files or encrypted malware files I tried to extract.

Norton’s disk scan took me approximately 40 minutes on my personal PC. This is approximately the same as top competitors. Norton also offers scan options such as:

• Quick Scan — This scans for areas in which malware can most easily be found, such as running processes or temporary files.
• Custom Scanning — Scans specified folders, disk positions
• Norton insights Scans files quickly.

Norton makes it easy to schedule your virus scanners. Norton did a full scan of my computer between 3-5 AM and I was able to schedule monthly or weekly scans.

Norton detects whether your apps run in full screen mode. Norton won’t notify you or initiate scans, including scheduled scans. This is a fantastic feature. Gamers will appreciate the ability to automatically suspend notifications when you’re in fullscreen. Norton is an excellent antivirus designed for gaming.

Overall Norton’s antivirus scanner is excellent. The system scan found all my malware and blocked any attempts to download it. Norton has multiple scanning options that I liked. This includes a quick, personal scan. It was simple to schedule scans.

Smart Firewall

Norton’s Smart Firewall is much more powerful than Windows’s built-in firewalls. In fact, Norton was able detect all network intrusions in my exploit testing.

Advanced users can personalize Norton’s firewall. Norton firewall blocks many Windows services such as File and Printer Sharing and Network Discovery. It also prevents remote desktop connection and File and Printer share. However, you can access the complete Permissionswindow to enable any of these options.

Norton has compiled a list with 136 rare protocols. These protocols are used by malware to communicate on networks with other devices. Norton’s firewall monitors all of these protocols, and notifies users if it detects suspicious activities.

Norton’s Smart Firewall is an excellent product. It detected all network intrusions in my tests, and it also offers advanced users an incredible array of customization options.

Safe Web & Safe Search

Norton’s Safe Web extension for Chrome Firefox Safari Safari Edge is now available. It offers community reviews and protection against phishing sites.

It offers excellent protection against phishing attacks with the Safe Web browser extension. It detected all phishing sites I tested. This includes sites that Chrome, McAfee and other top-ranked competitors failed to detect.

Safe Web’s “Isolation Mode” protects financial information. Safe Web lets users choose to have their browser set up to Isolation Mode. This prevents all browser-based intrusions. This will make your browser window “read-only” in order to stop malicious web scripts from stealing data. Hackers could remotely capture your screen and steal your financial data. Hackers can’t use Isolation Mode because Safe Web prevents them from doing this.

Safe Web offered to isolate my browser. When I accepted the request, the browser was not connected to the rest of the system. It couldn’t screencape, copy or paste text.

Norton’s Safe Search Tool, a secure search engine, provides color-coded assessments of search results. Red is considered dangerous, orange potentially dangerous, and green is considered safe. Safe Search doesn’t do a great job. During my tests, it claimed that many pirate sites were safe. It also sent grey “untested” notifications on most sites that were actually safe.

Norton’s Safe Search is not my favourite. It doesn’t correctly label unsafe websites safe and vice versa. Norton’s Safe Web browser extension protects against phishing attacks, and provides a secure browsing environment for financial transactions.

Dark Web Monitoring (Select Country Only)

Norton’s dark Web Monitoring scans dark forum, credit report, and breach databases to inform users if their data has been stolen. LifeLock provides strong identity protections for US users.

Norton’s dark net monitoring scans look for personally identifiable information.

• Bank account numbers.
• Credit cards
• Addresses.
• Information concerning driver’s license
• Insurance numbers

Norton has a better data breach monitoring program than many. This is possible because Norton employs live human agents that are paid to access dark web forums. Norton dark net assistants can locate information that companies cannot. In the event that your data is published on the darknet, you can get feedback and advice. This approach is better than Kaspersky’s database-based breaches monitors.

Also, dark internet monitoring activates whenever you submit your information. Norton’s dark internet monitoring team will send you an email with instructions about how you can protect yourself, your accounts, and your privacy.

Norton provides a superb dark web monitoring service. US users can use Norton’s LifeLock identity and protection services.

Identity Theft Protection (US Only).

Norton’s LifeLock identity security products include many features, including

• Credit report monitoring
• Live Identity Recovery Assistance
• Legal assistance
• Credit freeze
• Title of the home, court record and ID monitoring.

LifeLock identity theft protection services offer excellent protection. LifeLock will notify anyone who has your personal information, whether it is a loan, purchase, investment or rental application. LifeLock uses data from Equifax and TransUnion to compile the data.

LifeLock is only available to US users. BullGuard, TotalAV and BullGuard offer credit surveillance in Europe, the US and Canada for less money than LifeLock. But, they don’t offer the same protections as LifeLock.

Norton’s LifeLock plans offer the best protection for your identity, financial investments, and personal identifying information. These plans are only available to US customers.

Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network).

VPNs are able to hide your IP address behind any of the many thousands of servers across the globe. It also encrypts all of your web activity to improve privacy. Norton’s VPN isn’t perfect and may not be as reliable 2022 as some of the best VPNs.

Norton Secure VPN allows users access to multiple servers across the globe using Norton’s Secure VPN. Norton Secure VPN connects to servers in Australia, South Africa (Japan), Singapore and other less-known countries with Norton’s SecureVPN.

Norton VPN provides many security features.

• Strong encryption (256 bits AES).
• No-logs policy.
• Use to disable
• Blocking ad trackers
• Unlimited browsing data (even with the most expensive plans).

Norton’s VPN connection speeds are good. But they can slow down your connection. Because each VPN uses a different method of handling these tasks, all VPNs will have different speeds. Norton’s VPN was slower then Bitdefender or TotalAV, but it wasn’t the slowest.

This my internet connection through my local network. It does not use a VPN.

I then ran the speed tests using Norton VPN, which is connected at a US Server.

My download speed dropped quite significantly, but my “ping” went up a lot. It’s not a major problem if you’re streaming or gaming. With Norton’s VPN enabled I was still able stream HD video and browse the internet with no noticeable slowdown.

My download and Ping speeds were equal, but upload speed was half the time when I connected via Dutch server.

Netflix US customers are in for some bad news. Norton’s VPN was unable for me to access Netflix US content. This is because Netflix has its own anti-VPN firewalls. This is an issue because many VPNs like ExpressVPN or CryptoGhost VPN allow easy access to all streaming services. You can see the top VPNs to access Netflix here.

Norton VPN does not allow torrenting. The VPN stopped working once I opened any torrent client.

Norton Secure VPN is slower than others, doesn’t allow torrenting and does not work with Netflix. It also isn’t compatible with standalone VPNs or ExpressVPN. Norton continues to be a top-rated antivirus with a VPN. It provides encrypted web access across a number of servers worldwide, which is something many competitors do not offer.

Cloud Backup

Norton’s cloud backup system is extremely good. However, only PC users can access it. These options are available by it:

• Backups are a must.
• Save specific files.
• Backup files to your local drive and delete them.
• Back up your data to the local disk and cloud.

Cloud Backup works well. It automatically selected 50GB of important files. Advanced users can navigate to the “What” section and choose the folders to be backed up.

Norton’s Cloud Backup isn’t the most innovative but it’s a great way to protect your data in the Cloud. Depending on your Norton plan, you may be able to access up to 10-500GB storage via Norton’s Cloud backup feature.

Password Manager

Norton has a very good password manager. While many antiviruses provide basic password storage, not enough to make Norton’s unique password manager stand out

Even though it doesn’t offer the same functionality like standalone apps 1Password/Dashlane, it’s simple and secure with useful extras

This is a list of Norton’s password mangers:

• Secure 256-bit AES encryption
• Unlimited password storage.
• Synchronization PCs, Macs Androids, iOS devices, and Macs.
• Chrome extensions available for Firefox, Edge Safari, Chrome, and Chrome.
• Auto-save or auto-fill
• Password generator.
• Password vault auditing.

Norton allowed me to import my password vaults with Chrome, Firefox, or Dashlane. After I created my master password

Once I had imported my LastPass passwords and navigated to PayPal I was presented with a small icon by Norton. I simply clicked the icon and entered my email and password.

Norton is more secure than other antivirus providers because it includes vault auditing tools in its password management. This handy chart will show you which passwords can be trusted, how simple they are, and how long they have been in use. Automated generation of new passwords is possible with the vault auditing tool’s “Autochange” function. Norton’s Autochange doesn’t work with all sites. Dashlane has a better auto-change option. It works with about 100 more sites than Norton’s.

Norton’s Password Manager has a mobile login feature. It allows users log in to their vaults with their mobile devices, rather than using their master password.

Norton’s password management software isn’t perfect. Norton is unable to provide account recovery or emergency access. This was my first problem. This means that you won’t have access to any password vaults if your master password has been forgotten. Norton will only allow you to delete the vault and create another one. Norton allows users to make a hint for the master password. It is difficult to create a hint that will work for a string made up of random numbers or letters. This is what a master phrase should contain.

Some users might appreciate this lack of account recovery tools — it makes con artists in your vault unable gain access — but I think most users prefer email account Recovery and emergency contact options like LastPass.

Norton’s password manager may not be as powerful than standalone competitors, but it does offer multi-device backup and a secure generator. Norton was actually ranked the #1 antivirus that has a password manager in 2022.

Safe Family – Parental Controls

Norton provides parental controls for Android iOS Windows, Windows, and Windows. (Not available on Mac) Norton is ranked #1 in Antivirus with Parental Controls.

Norton offers parental controls that allow parents to:

• Filter inappropriate content with accuracy.
• Hulu and YouTube videos.
• Track location for mobile devices.
• Block Android apps
• All devices can be set time limits or plans for usage
• Set emergency contacts.

To see if these parental control tools were right for my daughter, I have tried many. While many parental control programs claim to have many features, the majority of them fail to deliver. BullGuard provides many online content filtering options. BullGuard parental controls were activated and I was able, with no problem, to view porn videos as well as violent videos.

However, Norton was able to block many websites correctly during my tests. Norton blocked 47 websites from different types, including Cult, Hate Speech, Abortion, and others. It will automatically set filters based upon your child’s age. However, users can toggle individual parental controls.

Norton Safe Family also offers a “School Time” mode. This allows the child to only access websites and apps that are important to their education. This is a great option for kids who are involved in virtual schools.

Safe Family also recorded all searches and YouTube videos and Hulu programs I made on my iPhone and Chromebook.

You can access Norton’s online dashboard to view location monitoring, app blocking and usage scheduling tools. It was amazing that Norton was able pinpoint my iPhone’s exact position at 65 feet.

Norton’s GPS tracker doesn’t have geo-fencing alarms, so parents will not be notified if their children leave a restricted region. Bitdefender, Bitdefender, as well as other companies, include geofencing in their parental control. This would be a great addition to Norton’s product range.

Norton Safe Family’s content filtering, app blocking and usage limitations, location tracking, YouTube surveillance, YouTube monitoring and YouTube monitoring capabilities are all quite impressive. This app is without doubt the best parental control software on the market.

Privacy Monitor

Norton Privacy Watch is a simple and effective feature that protects you personal identifying data (PII) against being sold to brokers.

Data brokers collect metadata from thousands upon thousands of websites to create an identity profile. This profile may include your last address, family name, favourite brands, birthday and gender. This information is then sold to data brokers who make a profit.

Data brokers are prohibited from selling or collecting your personal information under any privacy laws. Norton asks approximately 25 data brokers to cease collecting your personal information.

Access Norton’s Privacy monitor is available via the my.norton web dashboard. Privacy Monitor shows you a list with the names and dates you were born. You can either ask for the information to be deleted from the site or subscribe to Norton Privacy Monitor assistant to have data brokers handled by Norton employees.