App Review Norton 360 Review

[Anthony Qian]

I've been using Norton 360 for quite some time. It's now time to write a review for it. Norton 360 is ideal for computer novices due to its ease of use. However, with the recent addition of Norton Crypto, I'm thinking about switching to another AV, depending on Norton's response to user requests to make Norton Crypto an optional component during installation.

 

[RoboMan]

Thanks for the review. I agree with most points you mention.

I find the product really light, and I really much like the approach when dealing with files, making use of Norton Insight you give you a proper recommendation on the file to be ran.

I do, however, also agree GUI needs improvement, it's a bit messy.

 

[Andy Ful]

Hi,
It would be good to mention the Norton Insight feature (also Download Insight). This feature is the main reason for Norton's top results in the consumer AV tests.
Norton Download Insight is kinda similar to SmartScreen or the Avast Hardened Mode, but it is far more comprehensive for DLLs.

 

[Anthony Qian]

Hi,
It would be good to mention the Norton Insight feature (also Download Insight). This feature is the main reason for Norton's top results in the consumer AV tests.
Norton Download Insight is kinda similar to SmartScreen or the Avast Hardened Mode, but it is far more comprehensive for DLLs.

I would say Norton's File Insight is similar to Kaspersky's Application Advisor and ESET's LiveGrid reputation lookup.

Norton's Download Insight, however, tend to produce FPs (WS.Reputation.1), which is annoying.

 

[Andy Ful]

I would say Norton's File Insight is similar to Kaspersky's Application Advisor and ESET's LiveGrid reputation lookup.

These are similar to SmartScreen too. Simply show more info compared to SmartScreen.
All these solutions are based on file reputation, prevalence, etc.

Norton's Download Insight, however, tend to produce FPs (WS.Reputation.1), which is annoying.

That is why it also scores best against malware.
I made a few tests some time ago. For the fresh application installers/updaters downloaded from Softpedia (0-2 days old), the number of false positives is similar to SmartScreen or Kaspersky in @harlan4096 settings.

 

[harlan4096]

I guess the blocking due to "my settings" can't be considered as false positive, since We are adding a custom rule to the KSN reputation -> if the app is unknown in KSN, then move to UnTrusted (and not to Low Restricted -> Default)

 

[Andy Ful]

I guess the blocking due to "my settings" can't be considered as false positive, since We are adding a custom rule to the KSN reputation -> if the app is unknown in KSN, then move to UnTrusted (and not to Low Restricted -> Default)

More precisely, for PE files:
KSN reputation + "block" unknown ~ Norton Insight + block alert
The above reputation-based features have a similar number of false positives.
I used "block" instead of block because (rarely) some programs can run as Low Restricted.

KSN reputation works also for scripts. If I correctly recall, Norton Insight does not.

 

[amirr]

I've been using Norton 360 for quite some time. It's now time to write a review for it. Norton 360 is ideal for computer novices due to its ease of use. However, with the recent addition of Norton Crypto, I'm thinking about switching to another AV, depending on Norton's response to user requests to make Norton Crypto an optional component during installation.

You were using Norton 360 Standard?

 

[amirr]

I was watching the video above. Can online backup, VPN, Password manager be disabled?

 

[Venustus]

I was watching the video above. Can online backup, VPN, Password manager be disabled?

They can all be disabled ie not used

 

[Anthony Qian]

You were using Norton 360 Standard?

I'm using Norton 360 for Gamers.

 

[Dave Russo]

Nag program ,hard to uninstall, lots of sign ins, I'm just use to Kaspersky and Microsoft Dender ,sure it works just not for me.

 

[Anthony Qian]

Nag program ,hard to uninstall, lots of sign ins, I'm just use to Kaspersky and Microsoft Dender ,sure it works just not for me.

I’ve uninstalled Norton 360 many times and have never had an uninstall fail.

Sign in is only required during the installation process.

 

[BigWrench]

I’ve uninstalled Norton 360 many times and have never had an uninstall fail.

Sign in is only required during the installation process.

Same here. Never any issues.

Beck to the original post under cons….
I have always found very inexpensive licenses for renewing my license. (Always disable the “auto renew”) I’m pretty sure the last one I got was $19.99 for 5 PCs/ 15 months. 360 Deluxe.

PCWorld Software Store - Norton 360 Deluxe 2025 [5-D, 15-M] - 76% off MSRP

Discounted downloadable software from the PCWorld Software Store

software.pcworld.com

 

[Shadowra]

Norton is a very good product, however, 2 things displease me.

1) Norton has a disastrous commercial policy... I have already seen pop-up "scam" using Norton, and referring to the Norton website...
An example

2) Norton Crypto..... Sorry, but an antivirus that installs a BtcMiner without warning and without authorization is suspicious...
Of course it is made to protect and especially to mine crypto-currency, but I remind you that mining wears out computers and that Norton does not mind taking a percentage!

Hardware | TechRepublic

www.techrepublic.com

 

[roger_m]

Norton is a very good product, however, 2 things displease me.

1) Norton has a disastrous commercial policy... I have already seen pop-up "scam" using Norton, and referring to the Norton website...
An example

I don't understand. How are scammers pretending to be Norton, in any way Norton's fault?

 

[Shadowra]

I don't understand. How are scammers pretending to be Norton, in any way Norton's fault?

It is not used by crooks, but rather by advertising agencies that Norton pays
There is also with McAfee

 

[Nightwalker]

It is not used by crooks, but rather by advertising agencies that Norton pays
There is also with McAfee

The advertising that you posted is clearly a scareware ad without any relationship with Norton, it is most used for tech support scam.

Remove Fake pop-up or tech support scam messages that warn the computer is infected

Read this document to understand what are fake pop - up or tech support scam and how to remove them with the help of Norton Product. Also understand how to get official Norton Support.

support.norton.com

 

[jetman]

I have always used Kaspersky, although Norton seems like another good option. Now they are merged with Avast, they have a large slice of the home user market and therefore access to a huge amount of user data and suspicious samples.

Unfortunately, the free trial of Norton 360 requires credit card information. I'd rather not give credit card if I am doing a trial (I would never buy the product directly from Norton anyway).

The crypto mining feature slightly undermines the credibility of the product as well.

 

[BigWrench]

Good reading......

Here’s the truth about the crypto miner that comes with Norton Antivirus

Doesn’t go behind your back, does have a tax.

www.theverge.com

Norton 360 Now Comes With a Cryptominer – Krebs on Security

Norton has a crypto miner for PCs that can’t be easily uninstalled

Norton recently launched its new Crypto feature, allowing users to mine Ethereum while their PC is idle, but it’s already drawing ire from regular users.

www.digitaltrends.com

Hardware | TechRepublic

www.techrepublic.com

Norton 360 antivirus is installing a crypto miner on PCs - gHacks Tech News

Users are claiming that Norton 360 antivirus is installing a crypto miner on their PCs. This is what you need to know about Norton Crypto.

www.ghacks.net

from the Norton community....
1) Windows 10 must be with EN/US settings (Locale and Language - English (United States))
2) Norton 360 need a clean install with EN/US settings
3) Run again the EAP_Targetter_All_English.exe file... (http://liveupdate.symantecliveupdate.com/upgrade/EAP/EAP_Targetter_All_E...(link is external))
4) Go in the Antivirus settings menu (Settings -> Administrative Settings) to apply for EAP
5) Install all updates with Live Update
6) Restart PC/laptop
7) Check again if there are new updates with Live Update / and Restart PC/laptop for the 2nd time.
8) You will see the Mining thingy
9) Click Ok to start mining...
I assume that one needs to be opted into the Early Adopter Program

It never installed NCrypt.exe on either of my desktops running Norton. (Edit, it did after a search. Easily deleted with instructions found at the end of this post)

it can be disabled by temporarily shutting off ‘tamper protection’ (which allows users to modify the Norton installation) and deleting NCrypt.exe from your computer, (Norton folder) under engine.