NORTON 360 DELUXE
Norton 360 Deluxe is a popular and feature-rich antivirus solution that offers not just traditional protection against viruses and malware but also a range of extra features like VPN, cloud backup, and identity theft protection. Developed by NortonLifeLock, Norton 360 Deluxe aims to provide users with complete security for their devices, whether they’re using a PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet.
In this review, we’ll explore the features, performance, pros, cons, and pricing of Norton 360 Deluxe to determine whether it’s a good fit for users looking for robust online security.
Installation of Norton 360 Deluxe Mac proofed easy and straightforward. The basic installation needs a reboot for completing, nothing special as some other developers have an equal procedure. Make sure to uninstall any other antivirus on your Mac before adding Norton. Two similar programs can produce a lot of problems on your running Mac. During installation the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool. After reboot, open Norton 360 and make sure to run LiveUpdate. In order to get a running and fully working application, you need to grant full access to files and folder through System Preferences. You will be prompted to set these options before continuing the setup. The first thing you will notice after full setup is the new interface of Norton while you still can opt for the classic interface. To complete all options presented you will need to use the web-based interface of Norton.
Surprisingly the offered option “Cloud Backup”, is NOT available for Mac users ! This is not mentioned specifically when choosing your version from the website. Support from Norton is not aware of any future implementation of this feature for Mac users.
Now the big question Why or DO we need an Antivirus software application for our Mac computers ?
So do Macs get viruses? The answer is simple Yes and Yes they need protection. Although a Mac is considered more safe to PC’s, they also face the same treats as PC’s do.
In the past Mac’s were not widely used on our planet so they were less interesting to people trying to pry in your computer software and look for any interesting data like your bankaccount and used passwords etcetera.
But in recent years, as Mac’s popularity has grown, Macs have gained the attention of those looking to hijack data or make you visit websites that are after your credentials or money. We have a complete list of all the Mac viruses, malware and security flaws that have hit the operating system here.
Despite this interest, Macs have generally remained fairly secure. Thanks to the fact that MacOS is based on Unix, a kind of default security is build-in.
Apple itself has included Gatekeeper and number of security measures that make attacking a Mac particularly challenging. Gatekeeper, blocks software that hasn’t been digitally approved by Apple from running on your Mac without your agreement.
Still plenty of risks left, and Macs haven’t managed to completely avoid being targeted. According to a report from Malwarebytes in August 2017, there was a 230 per cent increase in Mac malware in 2017. So YES your Mac needs protection!
Now there is a fast growing list of developers specialised in antivirus security all claiming to be best to buy. Of course if life was that simple, there would be only one software application available on the marker solving all our problems.
We (Macsoftreview) are not able to simply setup a full known malware and virus database for checking the software’s capabilities in catching exploits and vulnerabilities. We do rely on AV-TEST which is the best known It-Security Institute from Germany. They are able to test in absolute equal conditions for every package, and measure system impact is most accurate on their systems. Updates are performed on a regular bases to check if later software-editions have evolved.
Below the latest independent test shows all scores. Norton 360 Deluxe scores a full 100% detection rate !
Though many features are nice, the most important factor for buying a antivirus program is still its ability to protect you 100%. AV-Testing resulted in Norton detecting every instance of known “widespread” malware and of previously unseen “zero-day” malware in all 12 monthly evaluations by German lab AV-Test from January through December 2019.
Norton products, include a two-way firewall, an unlimited password manager and a file-backup program. They also include the company’s Safe Web browser extensions, which work with Safari, Chrome and Firefox. Safe Web’s Isolation Mode renders the contents of known dangerous sites as read-only. If you connect to a banking site, Norton runs the browser session in a virtual machine. Norton’s 360 malware-detection engine takes up few system resources in the background, but more resource impact during active scans. (Best set the scans to run overnight.)
Norton 360 comes with a no limit VPN solution integrated in the Deluxe package. Bitdefender is also equipped with a VPN but has a really low daily usage limit, which makes it unusable really. Norton however boasts a full No Limit and No logging VPN. Browse anonymously and securely with a no-log VPN. Add bank-grade encryption to help keep your information like passwords and bank details secure and private. So what’s not to like about the VPN, well that’s easy as it supports very limited servers globally (has servers in 29 different countries and 73 locations.). However in Europe you will always find a server available and for the Netherlands even brilliant speeds. ( See VPN Speed below )
The settings are limited but connections are fast and stable. I really enjoyed using the Norton VPN solution. Again this great option adds value to this full packages deal. The interface of Norton 360 is somewhat strange, as it takes some clicking your mouse button to see how the VPN interface opens as it is not present in the menubar, rather then just only the ‘connect’ or ‘disconnect’ button. Still when you’re all familiar its a very good VPN.
Though Norton claims No Logging policy for this VPN, you should realise that Norton is based in the USA and therefore committed to US laws. Us laws do not permit No logging ! You do get noticed if officials want to trace you down. Testing ip6 security, Norton VPN hides your IP in a truly safe way, as are any DNS leaks.
Still for ordinary use, this VPN works well for daily practice.
Norton 360 Deluxe is providing a true No logging VPN and great speed. The examples below shows a speed image with NO VPN active, and the second with a VPN choice activated. Normally many servers create a fair speed drop of 40% easy, while our tested speeds only drop somewhat on ‘upload’.
I am very very pleased with its performance.
Easily create, store, and manage your passwords, credit card information and other credentials online – safely and securely. A password manager should be on every computer really. Nowadays you make yourself vulnerable if you use the same password frequent, in order to protect yourself you better use a different password for any website visited. You don’t want to become a victim of identity theft, believe me. The setup is not inside the application but is web based, this is unlike many other antivirus programs which are more controlled from within the application itself. It did make me click around somewhat
to find the places and final setup. Once installed and active it works very well and again this is a true bonus for this package. It does not have the features and smooth interface like Dashlane of course, but it is free and part of a great deal.
The Smart Firewall monitors the communications between your computer and other computers on the Internet. It also protects your computer from such common security problems as the following:
| Improper connection attempts | Warns you of connection attempts from other computers and of attempts by programs on your computer to connect to other computers |
| Port scans | Cloaks the inactive ports on your computer thereby providing protection against attacks through hacking techniques such as port scanning |
| Intrusions | Monitors the network traffic to or from your computer for suspicious behavior and stops any attack before they threaten your system |
A firewall blocks cybercriminals and other unauthorized traffic, while it allows authorized traffic to pass. The Windows Firewall feature monitors all inbound communications to your computer. However, Windows Firewall does not monitor the outbound communications from your computer to the Internet. Symantec recommends that you keep the Smart Firewall option turned on to let Norton monitor all inbound and all outbound communications of your computer. The Smart Firewall feature automatically creates program rules for each program that you run. When the Smart Firewalloption is turned on, Norton retains the Automatic Program Control settings for all programs.
While macOS features its own firewall to stop applications from connecting to risky websites, Norton 360 Deluxe adds its own two-way firewall, which stops certain kinds of data from getting in or out. Its services also protect your system from risky networks and known dangerous IP addresses.
What is the Dark Web? An “underground” part of the Web that isn’t searchable by regular search engines. The Dark Web is where cybercriminals offer information for sale, including personal data like email addresses. Dark Web Monitoring Powered by LifeLock§ searches Dark Web markets for your email address, and we notify you if we find it. A truly useful bonus as you ( your mail address, and maybe passwords) definitely will be known on the Dark Web. I can almost guarantee a full ‘hit’ score, as hackers have mastered millions accounts and passwords. Check it out and change your passwords for all compromised sites.
Another feature that allows you 75Gb cloud storage with Norton 360. Man, man I was really getting fed up trying to activate this nice feature on the iMac’s, and finally contacted support in order to help me out. Disappointed ? yep, truly disappointed as this feature is only for Windows and not supported for Mac. I really don’t understand, why this option is available in the interface ( check first image) if it is not supported for Mac users. Why keep an unusable option visible that creates frustration with users. Shame on you Norton, this is an option that should also be available for Mac users.
- Comprehensive Malware Protection
- Norton 360 Deluxe provides real-time protection against a wide range of threats, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other forms of malware. Powered by Norton’s Smart Scan, the antivirus scans files, emails, and websites in real-time to detect and remove potential threats.
- The software uses advanced heuristics and cloud-based threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging threats, ensuring that your devices are protected against new and evolving types of malware.
- Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Norton 360 Deluxe includes a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to ensure your online privacy. This feature encrypts your internet connection, protecting your browsing activity from prying eyes, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
- The VPN is unlimited and can be used on any device included in your subscription. It’s a useful tool for users concerned about online privacy, especially when accessing sensitive information or using unsecured networks.
- Cloud Backup (PC only)
- Norton 360 Deluxe offers cloud backup of up to 50 GB for PC users, which is a fantastic feature for protecting valuable files from being lost due to hardware failure, ransomware, or other disasters.
- The cloud backup service is automatic, meaning you don’t have to remember to back up your data manually, and it can be easily restored when needed.
- Password Manager
- A password manager is included with Norton 360 Deluxe, which helps you store and generate strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. The password manager can also autofill your login details across websites, making it easier to manage your online credentials.
- This feature is particularly valuable for users who have multiple online accounts and struggle with remembering complex passwords.
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Norton’s dark web monitoring scans the dark web for any personal information (like email addresses, credit card numbers, and social security numbers) that may have been exposed in data breaches.
- If your information is found on the dark web, you’ll receive an alert, allowing you to take action to protect your identity. This feature is especially useful for preventing identity theft.
- Parental Controls
- Norton 360 Deluxe comes with parental control features, allowing parents to monitor and control their children’s online activity. You can set limits on screen time, block inappropriate content, and receive alerts when suspicious activity is detected.
- The parental controls can be applied across multiple devices, providing peace of mind when children are online.
- Firewall Protection (PC & Mac)
- Norton 360 Deluxe includes a smart firewall to help block unauthorized connections to your device. The firewall is highly customizable and provides both inbound and outbound protection.
- This feature is available on both Windows and macOS devices, offering additional protection against hackers and malicious applications.
- Device Security for Multiple Devices
- One of the best aspects of Norton 360 Deluxe is its ability to protect multiple devices with a single subscription. You can secure up to 5 devices (PC, Mac, smartphones, or tablets) with one plan.
- This makes it ideal for families or small businesses that need robust security for various devices, all under a single license.
- Performance Optimizer
- The Performance Optimizer helps your devices run smoothly by identifying and removing unwanted files, freeing up space, and optimizing system performance. It runs silently in the background and ensures your devices are working at peak performance.
- Comprehensive Web Protection
- Norton 360 Deluxe includes safe browsing and anti-phishing protection, ensuring that you can browse the internet safely. It alerts you to potentially dangerous websites and blocks malicious links and phishing attempts that could steal your personal information.
- This feature helps to protect users from websites that may attempt to install malware or steal login credentials.
- System Impact
- Norton 360 Deluxe performs very well without significantly slowing down your system. While it runs in the background and provides real-time protection, it doesn’t cause noticeable lag or performance degradation on most devices.
- The software is optimized to work quietly in the background, with minimal system resources consumed while performing scans or running other features.
- Ease of Use
- The user interface of Norton 360 Deluxe is clean and easy to navigate. The main dashboard provides a clear overview of your security status, with quick access to all of the features, such as scans, VPN, password manager, and cloud backup.
- For users who aren’t particularly tech-savvy, the interface is straightforward, with easy-to-understand prompts and settings.
- Real-Time Protection
- Norton’s real-time protection is robust, continuously monitoring for threats and blocking them as soon as they are detected. The software automatically updates to stay current with the latest threats, ensuring that your devices are protected at all times.
- Setup Process
- Setting up Norton 360 Deluxe is a simple process. After purchasing the subscription, you can easily download the software and install it on your devices. The installation wizard is user-friendly and will guide you through the setup step-by-step.
- Customer Support
- Norton provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, phone, and email. Their support team is responsive and helpful, ready to assist with any installation issues, software bugs, or questions about features.
- Norton also has a comprehensive knowledge base with troubleshooting articles, FAQs, and step-by-step guides for common issues.
| Comprehensive Protection | Norton 360 Deluxe offers a full suite of security features, including antivirus, VPN, firewall protection, cloud backup, password manager, dark web monitoring |
| Cross-Device Security | The ability to protect up to 5 devices with a single subscription makes Norton 360 Deluxe a great value. |
| User-Friendly Interface | The software is easy to install and use, with a clean and intuitive interface. |
| Cloud Backup | The 50 GB cloud backup for PC users is an excellent feature. |
| VPN and Identity Protection | The inclusion of a VPN and dark web monitoring makes Norton 360 Deluxe a well-rounded choice . |
| Parental Controls | Parental controls are a standout feature for families, offering tools to protect children from inappropriate content. |
| Pricing | Norton 360 Deluxe is relatively more expensive compared to other antivirus solutions. The subscription cost for up to 5 devices is around $104.99/year |
| Cloud Backup Limited to PC | The 50 GB cloud backup feature is only available for Windows users. |
| VPN Speed | While the VPN is a valuable addition, it can sometimes cause a decrease in internet speed. |
| Lack of Features in Basic Plans | The basic Norton plans are somewhat limited and don’t offer all of the features. |
- Norton 360 Deluxe (for 5 devices): $104.99/year (often discounted to $49.99/year for the first year)
- Norton 360 Premium (for 10 devices): $124.99/year (often discounted to $59.99/year for the first year)
- Norton 360 Standard (for 1 device): $39.99/year (often discounted)
Norton 360 Deluxe is a top-tier antivirus solution that goes beyond traditional malware protection by offering a comprehensive suite of tools for online security and privacy. With features like real-time protection, a secure VPN, cloud backup, dark web monitoring, and a password manager, it provides everything
you need to safeguard your digital life.
The main drawbacks are its relatively high pricing and some feature limitations in the basic plans. However, for users who need a complete security solution and are willing to pay for it, Norton 360 Deluxe offers excellent value for the protection it provides.
Pros:
- Comprehensive all-in-one security (antivirus, VPN, backup, password manager)
- Cross-platform support for multiple devices
- Includes parental controls and dark web monitoring
- Cloud backup for PC users
- Real-time protection with minimal system impact
Cons:
- Pricing is higher than some competitors
- VPN speed can be slower on certain connections
- Cloud backup is only available for Windows users
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