Norton 360 Antivirus Review 2024: Is It Still One of the Best?

Norton 360 is one of the most recognizable antivirus programs in existence. Is it secure enough to protect your devices? We take a deep dive into this well-known software to find out.
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4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • 4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
  • Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan

Norton has a good reputation when it comes to antivirus and malware protection — and we believe its for good reason. Norton’s security suite is one of the best antivirus software you can get, giving you high malware detection rates and comprehensive real-time protection against phishing, spyware, ransomware, and more.

You also have plenty of security features with this software. If options such as a password manager, a virtual private network (VPN), and identity theft protection are items you can get on board with, then Norton may be the antivirus for you.

We’ll look at what you’ll get with the Norton 360 antivirus suite to let you decide whether the options are right for your needs.

Pros
  • Protection against all malware, ransomware, and hacking
  • Cloud backup and password manager included with all plans
  • Includes parental controls
Cons
  • No free version
  • Multi-tab navigation may be overwhelming at first when using the portal
In this article
Review overview
Our experience
Who is it best for?
Price
Features
Test results
Customer support
Alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line

Norton 360 antivirus overview

Price $29.99–$99.99/first yr
Free plan No
# of devices protected Unlimited
Malware scans Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection Yes
EICAR test results 3/3
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Extras Parental controls, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, software updater, and more
24/7 customer support Yes
Learn more Get Norton 360 Antivirus

How we test and rate antivirus software

We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics. 

This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.

To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.

Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • 4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
  • Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan

Our experience

We installed Norton 360 Deluxe on a Windows 11 laptop. Everything worked exceptionally well and there were no hiccups when we had multiple browser tabs open and we saw no performance issues while running virus scans. Sometimes virus scans can be very taxing on the system, but we didn't notice any major slow downs with Norton.

From the Device Security section, we performed a quick scan and a full scan to test Norton 360. With the full scan, it analyzed over 479,000 files in less a little over 11 minutes. Other full scans can go north of 30 minutes, so this was a good result.

Norton 360 full scan finish screen

The Quick Scan took less than 90 seconds and flew through more than 13,000 files. No threats were found with that scan, either.

We also tried the disk optimization option in the performance dashboard, which is meant to help clear up some unused disk space. It took the longest amount of time at just over 26 minutes, but claims to have optimized almost 36,000 files in that time, clearing up the 20% disk fragmentation on the drive.

Norton 360 disk fragmentation scan

If you have Windows Defender, you should know that it’ll be disabled automatically when you install Norton 360 on your device. That helps with more efficient protection while not slowing down your computer with numerous processes using the same functions.

Windows Defender being managed by Norton 360

To test out the mobile functionality, we got the Android app and were pleased with how easy it was to use. Even though you had to set up a million permissions on your phone (as always), Norton made it easy by taking you exactly where you needed to go in your settings. 

Norton 360 mobile app screen

Overall, we were very happy with the ease of use of the program and didn't find that it slowed down our computer much at all. The scans were streamlined, the extra features were fun to explore, and the experience was unobtrusive.

Who is Norton 360 antivirus best for?

  • Norton 360 is best for those who want additional cybersecurity features to go with its antivirus program. 

Norton offers some budget-friendly options, like Norton Antivirus Plus, which covers one device, and Norton 360 Standard, which protects up to three PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones.

If you're looking to cover lots of devices, you can opt for Norton 360 Select and get even more coverage for 10 devices along with extra cloud backup and LifeLock identity theft protection. There’s also the middle-ground Norton 360 Deluxe plan for people who want something in between.

Norton Antivirus Plus is a great option for those looking for basic antivirus protection. Plus, it comes with 2 GB of cloud backup and the Norton password manager.

However, Norton really shines when it comes to its 360 suites. You'll get options like a VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls, and LifeLock identity theft protection, depending on how far you climb up the subscriptions. 

Norton antivirus cost

Norton ranges in price from $29.99–$99.99/first yr and comes in three main tiers: Standard, Deluxe, and Premium.

The Standard plan starts at $39.99/yr (first year only), the Deluxe plan starts at $49.99/yr (first year only), and the Premium plan starts at $54.99/yr (first year only). There's also a more basic version, Norton AntiVirus Plus, which costs $29.99/yr (first year only) and provides coverage on one device.

Prices for Norton 360 seem to be on par with other antivirus software costs. For example, you can get Malwarebytes for Free–$99.99/yr with coverage for up to five devices.

McAfee offers some similar features with price points that are close to Norton at $29.99–$249.99/yr, but you may find a few more options with Norton 360, such as webcam protection and cloud storage.

Still need help choosing a Norton antivirus plan? We compared Norton 360 Deluxe vs. Norton 360 Premium along with its Antivirus Plus and Standard plans to help you get a full view of which features come at what price.

Norton AntiVirus Plus Norton 360 Standard Norton 360 Deluxe Norton 360 Premium
Price for first year $29.99/yr (first year only) $39.99/yr (first year only) $49.99/yr (first year only) $54.99/yr (first year only)
# devices supported 1 1 5 10
Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Manual and auto scan
Phishing protection
Firewall
Real-time protection
Password manager
VPN
Dark web monitoring
Parental controls
Privacy monitor
Cloud backup 2 GB 10 GB 50 GB 75 GB
Learn more View plan View plan View plan View plan

Don’t forget Norton 360 offers a seven-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee so you can try it before you buy it.

Norton 360 antivirus features

Norton offers the standard antivirus features, including protection against malware, phishing, hacking, and other cyberthreats, along with Norton's Virus Protection Promise. If your device is infected with a virus that can't be removed by Norton or its experts, then you'll get your money back.

We also love Norton for including lots of additional features, so you can rely on Norton for most if not all of your cybersecurity needs. One of Norton's standout features is the Secure VPN, which is included with every 360 plan. Any time you can get more security while browsing online, that’s an automatic win for cyber safety.

If you use a PC, you also have access to the Power Eraser tool. The tool removes malware threats from your device, but it’s only compatible with computers running Windows OS.

If you have a Mac, there are still plenty of features available, such as phishing protection and the silent firewall. We’ll cover those in depth so you can see how each one works to protect your information.

Malware and antivirus scan

Along with a database of known malware, Norton 360 uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze all files entering your device and then blocks the ones deemed to be malicious. Advanced machine learning gives the software a better chance at catching those stealthy viruses.

We used Norton 360 to scan our MacBook for viruses and security risks.

You’ll also get behavioral protection when installing new applications. Your Norton software classifies the apps that access your network connection. If one of those apps behaves suspiciously, Norton reports it to you.

Norton’s products come with a Virus Protection Promise, which means you’re entitled to a refund if the antivirus or Norton experts can’t remove a virus from your device.

Power Eraser

Although Norton 360 doesn’t offer a free antivirus suite, you can get a free standalone malware removal tool. Norton Power Eraser is an app specifically designed to remove even the sketchiest computer viruses. These include malware such as fake security software and scareware.

Norton Power Eraser warning screen

You don’t have to install this app for it to work. Just note it’s a free download for Windows only, so this option is not yet available for Mac users. You can simply download it and run the program to remove threats from your device.

Phishing protection: Norton SafeSearch

Norton 360 comes with the Norton SafeSearch extension, which analyzes the websites you browse and helps detect spyware, viruses, malware, and other online threats.

You’ll get website safety ratings based on the Norton Safe Web analysis. The best part is that you’ll have a rating before you visit the websites, so it offers more protection by helping you avoid malicious content.

The Norton Safe Web browser extension helps guard your information while you’re online. With this extension, you may see a red warning in your Norton desktop app when visiting unsafe websites. SafeSearch alerts include:

  • Green OK: This site is safe.
  • Orange exclamation point: Be cautious, this site may not be safe.
  • Red X: This site isn’t safe.

The Norton SafeSearch extension is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

With the Norton SafeSearch feature, you’ll also have the Link Guard protection that looks for URL reputations when links appear in your emails and social media pages. If a URL is suspicious, Link Guard gives you a warning before you click the link or share it with others.

Firewall

We were pleasantly surprised to find the Norton Smart Firewall feature for more advanced online threat protection. The firewall monitors your network traffic and keeps unwanted apps and users from accessing your device and information.

The Smart Firewall is also designed to detect cryptojacking attempts and prevent them from running in your web browser.

It also checks for potential data leaks with its Intrusion Prevention System. If a leak gets discovered, it stops the network traffic to keep further damage from happening. You can also adjust your firewall settings based on your preferences.

Norton 360's firewall activity log

Real-time protection

Norton 360 offers two layers of security protection to block threats before they have a chance to compromise your device: the Intrusion Prevention System and Proactive Exploit Protection.

Having both of these security layers helps to protect your device against a range of online threats. Norton recommends that you keep these settings turned on for the best security protection.

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

The Norton Intrusion Prevention System scans all network traffic for security vulnerabilities. The system analyzes your home network to detect security threats that try to gain unauthorized access to your device. 

The IPS works with your firewall to detect malware and prevent it from accessing your network. Norton makes using this function easy as it’s integrated into the Safe Web Feature, and it also works on Windows and Mac devices.

Proactive Exploit Protection (PEP)

Norton's Proactive Exploit Protection works by recognizing a range of malicious behaviors and then blocking only the software that mimics those behaviors.

This zero-day protection feature guards against attacks that can happen when new software is released, so there’s no waiting to discover and remove the threat in the future. PEP works with Windows devices but is not available for macOS.

Bonus features

Some of the notable bonus features you’ll find with Norton 360 antivirus are parental controls and the Norton Secure VPN. You also get dark web monitoring and SafeCam, which both protect against unique threats to your data and privacy. We’ll cover these in more detail below.

SafeCam

SafeCam is a feature that helps protect your webcam from being hacked. SafeCam alerts you if there are attempts to access your webcam and blocks unauthorized access. Unfortunately, it’s only offered for Windows at this time.

Norton 360 web cam protection

Norton Family

With the Norton Parental controls, known as Norton Family, you get security protection for the whole family. Parents can see their children’s online searches and video views. There’s also age-appropriate monitoring and settings to control screen time limits during school time. 

Norton Family dashboard on the Account Summary page, which breaks down into web monitoring, time monitoring, and app monitoring.

This feature is offered for Windows 7+, Android 8+, as well as the current and previous two versions of iOS.

Norton Password Manager

You need a unique password for each of your online accounts to keep your information safe. But with numerous accounts, that can become a hassle, to say the least.

With Norton’s password manager, you can create complex passwords that are harder to hack while storing them securely in your online encrypted vault. This feature is available across platforms so you can enjoy it with a browser extension on desktop or with a mobile app for iOS or Android.

Norton Password Manager passwprd strength report overview.

Norton Secure VPN

Norton Secure VPN is included with Norton 360 and helps keep your devices secure when using public Wi-Fi, as many of these networks aren’t safe. The VPN hides the internet data going to and from your device, so your personal information won’t get picked up easily by hackers.

We tried out Norton Secure VPN and found it was easy to use.
Norton offers a VPN to encrypt your Wi-Fi connection

Dark web monitoring

Cybercriminals use the dark web to buy and sell your personal information. With Norton dark web monitoring, you get a notification if your information is found floating around the forums of the dark web. 

The service regularly searches places where information is frequently traded to make sure your data stays secure. You can enter information like email address, phone numbers, credit card details, and more for monitoring.

Norton offers dark web monitoring, which checks the dark web for info like your email, address, credit card numbers, and more.

LifeLock identity theft protection

With LifeLock identity theft protection, Norton scans for the use of your personal information and looks for threats. You’ll get an alert to all possible threats by phone, email, text, or mobile app.

There’s also live, U.S.-based identity restoration specialists available to resolve identity theft issues. With this plan, you have $1 million worth of coverage for lawyers and other experts to help work through identity theft problems as well as up to $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement.

Cloud storage

Norton Cloud Backup stores and protects your files and documents to prevent data loss in case of hard drive crashes, stolen devices, and possible ransomware. You can create a cloud backup for specific files and even copy files from your computer to the cloud. 

At this time, Norton Cloud Backup only works with Windows OS.

Norton 360 test results

In order to make sure an antivirus can actually protect us in the real world, we look at several different sources to determine performance. Some of these tests are done by our team, including timing scan speeds and using tools from the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR) to determine effectiveness.

We also lean on third-party testers to determine how antivirus perform when compared against other options on the market, including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs tests. 

Scan speed

  • Result: Fast

We're not strangers to antivirus scans that can take over an hour to complete, so the fact that Norton's full scan only took a little over 11 minutes to complete was great.

Despite the blazing fast speeds, the test still seemed thorough, scanning thousands of files across our computer.

Scan type Time spent
Quick scan 1 minute and 22 seconds
Full scan 11 minutes
Disk optimization 26 minutes

Norton 360 EICAR test results

  • Result: 3/3

EICAR offers tools to help evaluate the effectiveness of cybersecurity products. The samples provided mimic malware and phishing attempts to really give your cybersecurity product a run for its money.

Test Norton 360 score
Manually downloaded malware
Pass
Drive-by malware downloads
Pass
Phishing detection Pass

Test results as of 08/06/2024.

Norton 360 passed all three EICAR tests that we threw at it, dedicating and removing the "malicious" file as soon as we downloaded it.

Norton 360 blocking an EICAR test file

It did also block phishing test webpage, but only with the Norton SafeSearch extension installed.

Norton 360 blocking a phishing page

Unfortunately, this extension also changes your search engine to Norton, which you can't change back without deactivating it. Depending on your preferences, this may be a dealbreaker for you and make the extension virtually unusable.

AV-TEST results

  • Windows result: 16.5/18

Norton 360 was scrutinized by AV-TEST to determine its effectiveness when detecting malware and protecting devices.

Test type Windows 11 score macOS Monterey score Android 11 score
Protection 6/6 6/6 6/6
Performance 5/6 6/6 6/6
Usability 5.5/6 6/6 6/6
Date March 2024 March 2024 May 2024
Link to test Link Link Link

During its latest rounds of tests, AV-TEST gave Norton 360’s macOS and Android products perfect scores for protection, performance, and usability.

Its Windows score saw a bit of a dip because of performance and usability. Notably, protection was a perfect 6/6.

The performance dip was mostly because of a detected slow down of 50% when launching popular websites. During our testing, we didn't see much of a slow down, but different systems react differently.

Norton 360 results for AV-TEST performance test

In terms of usability, it lost half a point because it gave two false warnings when installing a legitimate app. The good news is it didn't come up with any false positive for malware during system scans, whereas the industry average is to usually have a couple of those pop up.

Norton 360's results for AV-TEST usability test

AV-Comparatives test results

  • Result: Near-perfect scores for protection, but high performance impact.

AV-Comparatives is another third-party tester that compares many antivirus software performance by putting them to rigorous, real-world tests.

Test type Mobile security Real-world protection Malware protection Performance impact (Lower is better)
Score N/A 99.7% 99.97% 11.5
Platform N/A Windows Windows Windows
Date N/A May 2024 March 2024 April 2024
Link N/A Link Link Link

Norton 360 did very well in terms of protection, coming in third place for real-world protection and tied for first for malware detection.

Similar to the AV-TEST results, however, it scored lower on the performance test, coming in 11th place. The first place antivirus software, McAfee, had only a 2.8 impact score.

Norton was not part of any mobile security tests done by AV-Comparatives yet, but this isn't necessarily a red flag. Third-party testing can get expensive, so Norton may just be focusing on desktop performance overall.

SE Labs results

  • Result: 99%

SE Labs is a U.K.-based third-party testing service that releases quarterly reports for both consumers and enterprises on the effectiveness of antivirus protection.

Test type Home Anti-Malware Protection
Total accuracy rating 99%
Date 2024 Q2
Link Link

In the second quarter of 2024, Norton 360 received a very distinguished 99% accuracy rating, earning it a AAA award (the highest possible). This means it tied for second place, though there were five other antivirus all tied for first place with a 100% rating.

Still, this score is impressive.

Norton 360 compatibility

Norton 360 is compatible with:

  • Windows 7 Service Pack 1
  • Windows 8/8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11
  • Android 8.0 or later
  • macOS X 10.10.x or later
  • iOS current version and two previous versions

Browser extensions for Norton SafeSearch:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge

Norton customer support

Norton’s Help Center features trending topics and a community forum to help get you the support you need.

Outside of using the Norton website, you can also message its support team on Facebook or Twitter. There’s also a chatbot support feature, which is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

We reached out via live chat to see if they'd be able to tell us how to tell if the firewall was turned on. We were able to get to a real person eventually, but there was a bit of a maze of options to navigate through first.

Once we were connected, the agent was polite and knowledgeable, but sometimes took quite a bit of time between responses. It was clear they were talking with multiple people at once.

Norton 360 customer support live chat

Phone support is also offered seven days per week, 24 hours a day. You fill out a brief form and get a case number to give to the agent. There’s also a dropdown box to select your country and get a toll-free phone number to call.

Top alternatives

Norton is one of our favorite antivirus software, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. It lacks certain features for Mac and it could be pricey depending on your antivirus needs. Here are some other Norton antivirus alternatives to consider:

Antivirus
Price $29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only) $29.99–$249.99/yr $35.99-$59.99/first yr
# of devices protected 4 - 8 Unlimited 3 - 10
Malware scans Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled Manual
Real-time protection
EICAR test results 2/3 3/3 2/3
Firewall
Phishing protection
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge Windows, macOS, Android
Extras Password manager, ad blocker, VPN Parental controls, performance optimization tools, VPN Password manager, ad blocker, VPN, spam call and message protection
24/7 customer support
Learn more Get TotalAV Get McAfee Get Aura Antivirus

Norton 360 antivirus FAQs


+

Is Norton LifeLock worth it?

Norton 360 with LifeLock Select is worth it for anyone who wants a feature-rich antivirus and around-the-clock customer service for identity theft issues. The Select plan comes with LifeLock identity theft protection as well as a VPN, parental controls, and antivirus protection that’s been highly rated by third-party testers.


+

What’s better, Norton or McAfee?

McAfee is better than Norton if you want to cover more devices with a cheaper subscription plan. But Norton is better than McAfee if you want real-time dark web monitoring and 24/7 phone support.


+

How much does Norton cost per month?

Norton’s cost varies depending on the plan you get, but the cheapest option, Norton AntiVirus Plus, is $29.99/yr (first year only), which amounts to around $1.67/mo for your first year. The most expensive plan, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select, is $29.99/yr (first year only), which amounts to $8.33/mo for your first year.


+

Is Norton antivirus a Chinese company?

Norton is not a Chinese company but is instead part of a company called Gen Digital. It is based in Tempe, Arizona, in the U.S.


+

Does Norton own Avast?

In 2022, NortonLifeLock purchased Avast, which makes it the fourth antivirus brand acquisition the company has made. Other antivirus brands acquired by Norton’s parent company, Gen, include Avira, AVG, and CCleaner. See how the two software compare in our Norton 360 vs. Avast review.

Bottom line: Is Norton antivirus good?

Yes, Norton 360 is a good antivirus that has consistently high scores across the board when it comes to protection. On top of that, you can also get a slew of cybersecurity products, like parental controls, dark web monitoring, a VPN, and webcam protection. 

The only drawbacks to using this software are some lackluster performance scores, which means you may find it slows down your computer a bit. In our hands-on testing, we didn't notice any slow downs, but it's something to look out for as you try it out on your device.

Of course, the best antivirus software is the one that meets your needs and budget. So if Norton 360 antivirus doesn’t check off all the boxes, other antivirus software may be worth a look instead.

Check out our complete comparisons for more insights:

Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • 4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
  • Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Author Details
Patti Croft is a seasoned writer specializing in technology, with three years of experience. With a B.S. in Computer Science and a background as a technical analyst and security specialist, she covers a range of topics like data security and parental control software.
Kalleigh Lane is a passionate digital security advocate and the Lead Editor at All About Cookies. After completing her Master of Arts in English Literature, Kalleigh has gained over 5 years of editing and writing experience in the fields of cybersecurity, tech, and finance. She has been featured in major media outlets such as The Globe and Mail and CTV News, emerging as an advocate for digital security.