Norton 360 Deluxe — Best Antivirus Software with Parental Controls in 2022

Nortonremains my preferred antivirus program in 2022. It features a powerful antimalware tool and many internet security tools. The online dashboard has good user interface and provides excellent customer service. All this for a significantly lower price than the majority of antivirus products.

Norton’s antimalware engine utilizes machine learning, advanced algorithmic techniques, and a constantly updating malware directory. The engine can detect all forms of malware, from trojans and viruses to ransomware, phishing, and others. Norton’s real-time security as well as its full scanner were able to detect all of the malware files that I downloaded during my testing. There was very little system downtime.

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 good, but not perfect. You will need 4 additional apps to provide complete security on mobile devices. Norton’s VPN provides secure web access via many servers across the globe. However, it will not work with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. The VPN is slower than many competitors and does not permit torrenting.

Norton 360 has its flaws, but it’s still a great value. I was impressed by the amount of features included in each package. There are many other antimalware products that offer more than the basic Norton 360. However, almost all of Norton 360’s security features are worth purchasing on their own. 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 features. These tools can be used to increase cybersecurity protection.

The cheapest plan includes a firewall and antiphishing protection. You get a password manger and 10GB cloud space.

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.

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

Norton captured 100% all the malware files on my hard disk with a thorough scan of my system. Only one other competitor has such a high level of malware detection rate (like Bitdefender or Advira).

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 not encrypted before my computer could begin downloading 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 scan options like:

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

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

Norton will detect if you have full screen mode enabled. Norton will not send notifications or initiate scans, including scheduled scans. 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 the malware in my computer. I was also able to block any malicious software that I downloaded. Norton offers several scanning options. This includes a quick, personal scan. It was easy and quick 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. In fact Norton was capable to detect every network intrusion I tested.

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 when it finds 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 web pages in my testing. This includes sites that Chrome failed to detect, or McAfee’s top competitors.

Safe Web uses “Isolation Mode”, which safeguards financial information. Safe Web offers users the ability to change their browser to Isolation Mode. This disables browser-based intrusions. To stop malicious webscripts and malware from stealing user information, the browser window will become “read-only”. Hackers might remotely record your screen to steal your financial information. Hackers are unable to use Isolation Mode because Safe Web is secure.

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

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

Norton’s Safe Search wasn’t my 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 Country Only)

Norton’s dark Web Monitoring scans dark forum, credit report, and breach databases to notify users when their information is stolen. LifeLock offers US users strong protections against identity theft.

Norton’s darknet monitoring scans for a large array of personally identifiable data (PII).

• Numbers for bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Addresses.
• Information concerning driver’s license
• Insurance numbers

Norton offers a more robust data breach monitoring platform than other companies. This is achieved through the use of live human agents who are paid for their work in 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 issue an email notification to you with instructions for how you can safeguard your identity, accounts, privacy, and privacy.

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

Identity Theft Protection in the USA Only

Norton’s LifeLock identity-protection product offers a variety of features including:

• Credit report monitoring
• Live Identity Recovery Assistance
• Legal assistance
• Credit freeze
• Home title, court records and ID monitoring.

LifeLock identity security protection services are exceptional. LifeLock will notify about any loan or purchase, investment, rental request, credit card application, which includes any of your personal data, any purchases, investments, rental applications, or credit card applications. LifeLock pulls together data from TransUnion and Equifax. LifeLock notifies anyone who is trying to use your information.

LifeLock does not offer protections to US users. BullGuard & TotalAV offer credit monitoring services in Europe, USA, and Canada at a fraction of the cost of 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. However, they are 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 is not as reliable 2022 as the best VPNs.

Norton Secure VPN allows users the ability to connect with multiple servers anywhere in the world using Norton Secure VPN. Norton has servers in Australia and Singapore (Japan), as well as some lesser-known ones like India or Ukraine. McAfee Total Protection connects with only 23 countries. There are far fewer international server than any competitor’s internet security suite.

Norton’s VPN includes many other security features.

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

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.

This is my internet access via my local network.

I then ran speed tests with Norton VPN connected at a US Server.

You can see my download speed went down quite dramatically but my “ping” rose a lot. The ping going up so fast isn’t an issue unless you stream or play games — Norton’s VPN enabled meant that I could still stream HD video and surf the internet without noticeable slowdown.

While download and ping speed were equal, upload speed was cut by half when I connected via Dutch servers.

Netflix US customers have some bad news. Norton’s VPN failed to get past Netflix’s anti VPN firewalls. I was therefore unable to access Netflix US. This is a problem because most top VPNs, like ExpressVPN and CryptoGhost VPN, can access all major streaming services. (View the top VPNs for Netflix here.

The Norton VPN does not allow torrenting. Once I opened any torrent client, my VPN stopped working. This is a problem as there are many torrenting VPNs.

Norton Secure VPN operates slower than others, doesn’t permit torrenting, isn’t compatible with Netflix and other streaming platforms, such as ExpressVPN (or standalone VPNs), and isn’t compatible. Norton Secure VPN is still a top-rated antivirus. It allows encrypted web access via a wide range of servers all over the world, which is something that many other competitors do not offer.

Cloud Backup

Norton’s cloud backup feature is very impressive. It is only accessible to PC users. These options are provided by it:

• Backups should be a priority.
• You can save specific files.
• Back up files that you have on your local drive.
• Save your data to both the cloud and to a local drive.

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

Norton’s Cloud Backup feature isn’t the most advanced, but it’s a good solution for data protection in the Cloud. Depending on the Norton plan that you have, you could get as much as 10-500GB storage with Norton’s cloud backup.

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.

It is not as functional as standalone apps 1Password/Dashlane, but it’s simple and secure with some useful additional features.

Below is a listing of Norton’s password manager:

• Secure 256-bit AES encryption
• Unlimited password storage.
• Synchronization PCs, Macs Androids, iOS Devices and Macs.
• Chrome extensions to Firefox, Edge Safari, Chrome, Safari, Chrome and Safari
• Password generator.
• Password vault auditing.

After creating my master password, Norton allowed me to import my password vaults through Chrome, Firefox, and Dashlane.

After I imported my LastPass passwords and navigated to PayPal I was presented with Norton’s small icon. I simply entered my email address, password and navigational information in one click.

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 how old. 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 log in to their vaults with their mobile device and not their master password.

Norton’s password system is not perfect. Norton cannot provide emergency access or account recovery. This was the first problem I encountered. This means that your master password will not allow you to log in to any password vaults if it is lost. Norton can only destroy the vault to make a new password. Norton allows users to make a hint for the master password. It can be difficult to create a hint to a string that is composed of random letters or numbers. This is what a master passphrase should contain.

Some users might like the lack of account recover options. It makes it difficult for con artists to gain access to your vault. But I think most users would prefer an email account Recovery or other emergency contact options like LastPass.

Norton’s password management is not as powerful than standalone competitors, but offers multidevice backup, secure code generators, password automatic-fill and password save, password fill, vault auditing, vault login, password auditing, password online, password autofill and password autosaving. Norton was ranked as the #1 antivirus program with password management in 2022.

Parental Controls for Safe Families

Norton has parental controls available for Android, iOS and Windows. (Not available on Mac) Norton is ranked number one in Antivirus Software with Parental Controls.

Norton’s parental controls offer parents the opportunity to:

• It is possible to filter inappropriate content accurately.
• YouTube and Hulu videos.
• Track location for mobile devices.
• Block Android apps
• Set time limits and plans for your devices.
• Set emergency contacts.

I’ve tested many parental control tools to make sure they would work for my daughter. Many parental control programs for antivirus have lots of features that don’t work. 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” option. This allows only the parents to access apps and websites important to their child’s education. This can be extremely beneficial for any child involved in virtual school.

Safe Family also recorded every search, YouTube video, and Hulu program I performed on my iPhone (PC), Chromebook and Chromebook.

Access to Norton’s app blocker, location monitoring and usage scheduling tools can all be done easily via the online dashboard. It was remarkable that 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 is undoubtedly the most intuitive and comprehensive parental control app on the market.

Privacy Monitor

Norton’s privacy monitor is a simple but powerful feature that protects your personal information (PII), against being sold to data brokers.

Data brokers use metadata from thousands websites to create an individual identity profile. This profile can contain your last address as well as your family names, favourite brands and birthday. The data brokers make a living by selling the information to high-paying customers.

Data brokers can’t sell your information or collect it under privacy laws. Norton requests around 25 data brokers not to collect your information.

Access Norton’s Privacy monitor is accessible via the my.norton online dashboard. Privacy Monitor allows you to view a list with the names, dates and birth dates. Privacy Monitor makes it easy to delete your personal information from any website. You can also subscribe to Norton Privacy Monitor Assistance to have the data brokers handled directly by Norton employees.