Symantec has a segregated range of security solutions based on users needs. You’ve got Norton Antivirus to fulfill the basic need of virus protection; Norton Internet Security that goes a step further to protect from viruses and phishing attacks and; Norton 360 that promises an all-round performance protecting users from virus, tuning up their PCs and the free cloud storage. We recently got our hands on the latest update for the Norton 360 and this is what we think.
Norton 360 is currently into version 6.0 and just like the previous iterations; Symantec has refined the product to make it more intuitive and refined. The first and foremost change is the user interface. Despite the overload of features present in Norton 360, there’s simplicity in the UI. The user interface is clean, streamlined and clearly understandable even for a novice user.
As mentioned before Norton 360 gives users an all-round protection, which means the product comes with four core features – Antivirus and malware protection, Identity protection, Backup and PC tune-up. Antivirus and malware protection for instance, is backed by the SONAR engine that checks for application’s suspicious behavior or the Norton Insight. Norton Insight deserves a special mention due to the fact that it rates each application and file according to the trust levels given by the Norton Community as well as the user. In fact, AV-Test Institute and PassMark Software have rated Norton 360 v6 pretty highly in their respective tests.
Identity Protection allows users to keep the sensitive user account information safe. Users can key in login passwords, credit card details to add in enhanced security while transacting online. Another advantage of Identity Safe is that the details are linked to the Norton account, which means you don’t lose any of the stored data even if by any chance, the Norton installation gets corrupted.
Speaking of the installation getting corrupted, Symantec has introduced a nifty feature to this edition of the Norton 360 called as the Self Healing. There have been instances where malware and virus tamper with the security suite to corrupt it but with self healing, Norton 360 can automatically diagnose the issue and fix it.
The Backup feature remains unchanged. Symantec still bundles 2GB of online storage or users can backup their data on a local storage. One improvement is that the bundled online storage can be seen in under the My Computer tab, thus making it easy to access it. However, if in the future you decide not to use Norton, you’ll have to give away the free storage. Although users will be given a chance to download all the backed up data before deleting it permanently from the Symantec’s servers.
The PC Tune-up function makes it easy to defrag the hard drive, cleanup temporary files and control the PC startup apps.
We’ve talked at length about Norton 360 core features but Symantec integrates a few more that enhances the suite’s functionality. Located on the bottom right is the Activity Map that shows off the global threats in real-time, Norton Management that allows users to take care of the Norton product subscriptions, a quick link to the Android security app, Online Family to track user activity, chat and site logs etc. Finally, it’s the Safe Web counter that enables users to quickly check if the site they intend to visit or the search term is safe or not.
Norton 360 v6 is a solid security product and year-after-year Symantec has managed to improve it yet making it less obtrusive while handling threats. If you’re looking to control and protect the PC from a single window, Norton 360 v6 is the app to lookout for.
Norton 360 v6 sells for Rs. 1650 for a single PC one-year protection or Rs. 5,950 for up to three PCs with 2-year subscription.
Pros: Fast, Clean UI, complete protection
Cons: Backup storage goes away if you don’t renew after the subscription ends
Thanks for the wonderful share. Norton is one of the best tool for removing the viruses.