Norton Mobile Security — Best overall iOS security app in 2022. Secure, intuitive & cheap

Nortonremains my preferred antivirus program in 2022. It features a powerful antimalware tool and many internet security tools. The online dashboard is easy to use and provides excellent customer service. All this at a significantly lower cost than most antivirus products.

Norton’s antimalware engine utilizes machine learning, advanced algorithmic techniques, and a constantly updating malware directory. The engine is capable of detecting all types malware, including viruses and trojans as well as ransomware, cryptocurrencyjackers, and other threats. Norton’s real-time security as well as its full scanner were both able find all the malware files I tried to download in 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 is reliable, but not perfect. You’ll need to download four additional apps to ensure complete security on mobile devices. Norton’s VPN provides secure web access via many servers across the globe. However, the VPN won’t work on streaming services such Netflix or Hulu. The VPN is slower than many competitors and does NOT allow torrenting.

Norton 360 has its flaws, but it’s still a great value. I was impressed by the amount of features each package contained. Many of their antimalware scanners offer more features that the Norton 360. However, the Norton 360 security instruments are all worth purchasing. Norton’s 60-day money-back guarantee is included. You have ample time and space to test it, and then choose the right antivirus.

Norton 360 Full Exam

Norton’s packages contain a number of high-value security tools and features that can be used for cybersecurity protection.

The cheapest plan includes a firewall and antiphishing protection. A password manager and 10GB of cloud storage are included in the cheapest plan.

Norton Security Features

Anti-Malware Engine

Norton uses a vast malware database and machine learning to detect malware. It also provides protection against malware from iOS and Android as well Windows, Mac, and Windows.

I downloaded a database of nearly 1,000 malware files for testing purposes. It included trojans. trojans. backdoors. keyloggers. rootkits. zero day attacks. ransomware. spyware. Cryptojackers. PUPs.

Norton detected and removed 100% of malware files from my hard drive after a thorough scan. Norton has the highest malware detection rate, beating Advira and Bitdefender.

After running Norton’s full scanner, my real time protection was turned on. I then tried to download 997 malicious files in the form of plain, zip, and encrypted files. Norton blocked all files that were in plain text before my computer could download them. Norton also blocked encrypted malware files and zipped files from being extracted.

Norton’s disk scanning took around 40 minutes on mine. This is similar to the time taken by top competitors. Norton also offers several scan options:

• Rapid scanner — Looks for areas where malware could be easily found. This includes temporary files and running processes.
• Custom scan — Scans specified folders, locations on disk.
• Norton intelligence Scans files quickly.

Norton makes scheduling your virus scans easy. Norton ran a thorough scan on me from 3-5 a.m. I can then schedule weekly or monthly scans.

Norton will detect if you have full screen mode enabled. Norton won’t notify you, nor initiate scans (including scheduled scanning). This is an excellent feature. Gamers will like the fact Norton automatically suspends notifications while you are in fullscreen mode. Norton is the best gaming antivirus.

Overall Norton’s Malware scanner is quite good. It ran a full system scan and detected all my malware. I was also able to block any malware I attempted downloading. Norton offers several scanning options. This includes a quick, personal scan. It was simple to schedule scans.

Smart Firewall

Norton’s Smart Firewall, which is considerably more powerful and reliable than Windows firewalls or macOS firewalls, has been developed. My exploit testing revealed that Norton was able and able to detect every network intruder.

Advanced users have the ability to modify Norton’s firewall. Norton firewall blocks many Windows services that are used on public Wi-Fi networks, such as File and Printer Share, Network Discovery and Remote Desktop Connection. The Permissionswindow will allow you to grant any of the above.

Norton provides a list that includes 136 uncommon protocols. These protocols can be used to communicate with malware and other devices on a network. Norton’s firewall monitors every protocol and notifies users whenever it detects suspicious activity.

Norton’s Smart Firewall, in general, is a wonderful product. It detected all network intrusions and provides advanced users with a vast array of customization options.

Safe Web & Safe Search

Norton’s Safe Web extension can be used with Chrome Firefox Safari Safari Edge. It protects you against phishing sites, and offers community reviews.

This browser extension, Safe Web Browser Extension, offers very good anti-phishing Protection. It detected the majority of phishing websites I tested. It even detected sites that Chrome or McAfee, which are top competitors, failed to detect.

Safe Web uses “Isolation Mode” to protect financial information. Safe Web offers users the ability to change their browser to Isolation Mode. This disables browser-based intrusions. Your browser will be “read-only”, to stop malicious webscripts and malware from stealing information. Hackers could be able remote record your screen to steal your financial information. Hackers are unable to use Isolation Mode with Safe Web.

Safe Web offered me to place my browser on isolation mode. My browser was disconnected to the rest system when I accepted this request. It couldn’t copy, screencape and paste text.

Norton’s Safe Search Tool offers color-coded assessments to search results. Orange is potentially hazardous, red is dangerous, and blue is safe. Safe Search isn’t very good. It falsely claimed that many pirate sites were safe during my tests. It also gave grey “untested” notifications to sites that are truly safe.

Norton’s Safe Search was not mine favorite. It doesn’t accurately mark unsafe sites safe and vice-versa. Norton’s Safe Web browser extension can be used to protect you from phishing attacks. It also provides financial transactions in a secure and sandboxed environment.

Dark Web Monitoring (Select Only Countries)

Norton’s dark Web Monitoring scans credit reports, dark forums and breach databases to identify if information has been stolen. LifeLock also provides strong identity protections for US customers.

Norton uses dark net scanning to find a vast array of personally identifiable data (PII).

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

Norton has the best data breach monitoring software. This is achieved through the use of live human agents, paid to enter dark web forums. Norton dark-web assistants can access information that is not available to most companies. If you post your information on the darknet, it is possible to get advice and feedback. This “real person approach”, is far better than any database-based breach monitoring tools like Kaspersky.

You can also opt for dark internet monitoring whenever you provide your personal information. Norton’s darknet monitoring team will send you an email with instructions for how you can safeguard your identity, privacy, and accounts.

Norton provides an excellent dark web monitoring and protection service. US users have full access to Norton’s LifeLock identity security and services.

Identity Theft Protection (US Only).

Norton LifeLock identity-protection product includes a lot of features including:

• Credit report monitoring
• Live Identity Recovery Assistance
• Legal assistance
• Credit freeze
• Name, address and ID monitoring.

LifeLock identity security protection services are exceptional. LifeLock can notify you about any purchase, investment, rental, loan application or credit card application that includes your personal information. LifeLock compiles data from Equifax, TransUnion and Equifax. LifeLock can notify anyone who attempts to use this information.

LifeLock does not offer protections to US users. BullGuard, TotalAV, BullGuard, and BullGuard provide credit monitoring in Europe, Canada, and the US. Their prices are lower than LifeLock. They offer less protection than LifeLock’s.

Norton’s LifeLock Plans are the best way for you to protect your finances, identity, and personal information. They are available only for US users.

Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network).

VPNs can mask your IP address behind any number of thousands servers all over the globe. It also encrypts web activity which increases privacy. Norton’s VPN has some drawbacks and isn’t as reliable 2022 as the best VPNs.

Norton Secure VPN allows users the ability to connect with multiple servers worldwide using Norton’s Secure VPN. Norton Secure VPN connects to servers in Australia (Japan), South Africa (Japan), and other lesser-known countries with Norton’s SecureVPN.

Norton VPN also offers other security features.

• Strong encryption (256 bits AES).
• No-logs policy.
• To kill
• Blocking ad trackers
• Unlimited browsing data (even with the cheapest plan).

Norton’s VPN speeds are quite good. These VPNs can slow down your Internet connection. Each VPN has its own way of doing these tasks so every VPN will have different speeds. Norton’s VPN was slower compared to Bitdefender and TotalAV, but not the slowest.

It is my internet connection over my local network.

Afterwards, I ran speed testing with Norton’s VPN connected at an American server.

As you can see, my download speed was significantly reduced but my “pinging” increased quite a bit. If you stream or play video, then the ping doesn’t matter. I was able to surf the internet and watch HD videos with Norton’s VPN enabled.

While I had the same download and ping speeds, upload speed decreased by half when connecting via Dutch server.

Netflix US customers have some bad news. Norton’s VPN failed to get past Netflix anti VPN firewalls and I was unable o access Netflix US content. This is a problem because most top VPNs, like ExpressVPN and CryptoGhost VPN, can access all major streaming services. (See our list of top VPNs for Netflix).

Norton VPN doesn’t allow torrenting. The VPN stopped working when I tried to open any torrent client.

Norton Secure VPN operates slower than many competitors, doesn’t allow torrenting to be used, and is not compatible for Netflix or other streaming platforms like ExpressVPN, standalone VPNs, and others. Norton Secure VPN is still a top-rated antivirus. It allows encrypted web access via a wide range of servers all over the world, something which most competitors do not provide.

Cloud Backup

Norton’s cloud backup feature is very impressive. However, this service is not available to all users. These options are available by it:

• Backups are a must.
• Save specific files.
• Back up files from your local hard drive.
• Keep your data safe on the cloud and on your local hard drive.

Cloud Backup works great. It automatically chose 50GB worth files. Advanced users will be able to go to the “What section” and select the folders they want to backup.

Norton’s Cloud Backup feature isn’t the most advanced, but it provides a solid solution to protecting your Cloud data. You can have up to 10-500GB storage depending on the Norton plan that you have.

Password Manager

Norton’s password manager is quite good . A lot of antiviruses already have password managers, but they don’t offer enough to make Norton’s stand out.

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

Below is a listing of Norton’s password manager:

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

Norton gave me the option of importing my password vaults via Chrome, Firefox or Dashlane. This was after I created my master password.

After I had logged in to LastPass, and navigated through PayPal, Norton displayed a small icon. In one click I was able to enter my email address and password.

Norton surpasses all other antivirus providers by including vault auditing tools within its password management. This chart provides information on which passwords are most secure and which ones are too easy or repetitive, as well as how old they are. The “Autochange” function of the vault auditing software can generate new passwords automatically. Norton’s Autochange may not work on all sites. Dashlane offers an alternative to Norton’s Autochange. It works with hundreds more sites than Norton’s.

Norton’s Password Manager offers a mobile login option. It allows users with their mobile device to log in to the vault instead of using their master password.

Norton’s password system is not perfect. Norton cannot provide account recovery or emergency access. This was my first problem. This means that your master password will be lost and you won’t be able access any password vaults. Norton can only destroy the vault to make a new password. Norton allows users create a password hint to the master password. It is not possible to create a hint of a string that contains random numbers and letters. This is what a master passphrase should contain.

Although some users might like the lack account recovery options — it makes con artist unable access to your vault — I think most users would rather have email account Recovery or an emergency contact option such as LastPass.

Norton’s password management isn’t as powerful than standalone competitors, but it provides multi-device protection, secure code generators, password automatic-fill and password save, password fill, vault auditing and password autofill. Norton was ranked as the #1 antivirus program with password management in 2022.

Parental Controls for Safe Families

Norton’s parental controls are available for Android, iOS and Windows. They are not available on Mac.

Norton’s parental controls offer parents the opportunity to:

• Use to filter inappropriate content.
• Hulu, YouTube and Vimeo videos.
• Track location for mobile devices.
• Block Android apps
• Plan your time and limit usage on all devices
• Set emergency contacts.

I tried several parental control tools to find one that was suitable for my daughter. While antivirus parental control tools promise many features, few actually deliver. BullGuard offers many content filtering choices online. BullGuard parental control enabled allowed me to access porn and violent video.

Norton however blocked several sites correctly during my tests. Norton could block 47 different websites categories, including Cult, Hate Speech and Abortion. It creates filters automatically based your child’s ages. You can also toggle all parental controls independently.

Norton Safe Family provides a “School Time” mode. This allows only the parents to access apps and websites important to their child’s education. This can be very beneficial for any child involved in virtual school.

Safe Family also filmed every search, YouTube video, and Hulu program made on my iPhone.

Access to Norton’s app blocking, location monitoring and usage scheduling tools can all be done easily via the online dashboard. Amazingly, Norton could pinpoint my iPhone’s exact position at 65 feet.

Norton’s GPS tracking device does not have geofencing alerts. However, parents are notified if their children go outside of a restricted area. Bitdefender, Bitdefender and others include geofencing as part of their parental controls. This would be a wonderful addition to Norton’s product line.

Norton Safe Family has many impressive features, including app blocking, usage restrictions, location tracking and YouTube monitoring. This app is undoubtedly the most intuitive and comprehensive parental control application on the market.

Privacy Monitor

Norton’s privacy watch protects your personal information (PII), and prevents it from being sold or used by data brokers.

Data brokers use metadata obtained from thousands websites to create an individual identity profile. This profile can contain your last address as well as your family names, favorite brands and birthday. Data brokers then make a living by selling the information to high-value buyers.

Privacy laws prohibit data brokers from selling or collecting personal information. Norton asks 25 data brokers not to collect your information.

Access Norton Privacy Monitor is accessible via the my.norton online dashboard. Privacy Monitor displays a list that contains the names of your birth dates and allows you to request their deletion. You may also subscribe to Norton Privacy Monitor Assistance to have the data brokers handled directly by Norton employees.