Norton 360 version 5 maintains the Norton brand’s recent strong performance record and introduces some useful new features, bringing recent improvements to Norton Internet Security 2011 to the more expensive 360 while also improving the program’s feature set. Symantec believes Norton is the premiere security product around, so don’t be surprised at Norton 360′s price tag.
Help/Support:
Norton 360 version 5 is easy to use – even with all the additional features and functions – but does offer assistance when needed. The embedded help files are good, and there are additional support resources, such as troubleshooting, common error solutions, searchable knowledgebase and tutorial videos, available online. For personal assistance, Norton customer service is reachable 24/7 by phone, email and online chat.
Interface
The interface of Norton 360 is easy to read and professional. The main screen covers the four main features that Norton 360 provies: PC Security, Identity Protection, Backup, and PC Tuneup. The most important are the first two, and you will easily be able to tell if your computer is up to date and secure by whether or not the options are in green or red. If they are green your PC is up to date and secure, however if they are red then there is something that probably needs your attention.
Everything is bright and easy to read, and the layout is logical and organized. Users should have no trouble navigating through the menus and finding what they are looking for.
Features of Norton 360
Instead of simply putting together all of the features from Norton Internet Security, Norton Antivirus, Norton Confidential, and Norton SystemWorks, Symantec started from square one with Norton 360. The product is one that gives users a more fluid experience. Even the Symantec LiveUpdate is better integrated in Norton 360.
Symantec used only the tools that would be most beneficial to general users. Norton 360 was equipped with antivirus, antirootkit protection, antiphishing, antispyware, a firewall, behavioral monitoring software, Symantec’s new SONAR (Symantec Online Network for Advance Response), and a vulnerability assessment tool, which can give users information regarding what updates their computer might be missing. There’s also an add-on pack of online tools that includes Antispam, Parental Control, and other optional features such as blocking private data from being leaked onto the Internet.
Aside from that, Norton 360 also has tools for defragmenting the hard drive and for cleaning up temporary files and other unnecessary files that can slow a computer down. Norton 360 also comes with a backup and recovery tool, and even provides up to 2GB of free online storage. Online storage is helpful when users need to access their backup files while away from home. This is a really great feature that isn’t offered by many computer security products.
Conclusion
For home and student use, we think Norton 360 represents the best value for ease of use, tools offered, and overall system performance. We recommend it over McAfee Total Protection and Microsoft Windows Live OneCare.