Latest news with #Norton360
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Norton 360 Deluxe antivirus review
When it seems like there is a security hole everywhere you click on a computer or mobile device, Norton 360 Deluxe is a welcome relief. There are extensive security protections available, beyond what we've found offered in some of the other best antivirus apps. And, like hugely popular tax preparation app TurboTax, Norton 360 is incredibly intuitive to makes Norton 360 a top overall pick in the category has to do with the added security protection. You can do a quick antivirus scan, a full scan, and then a much deeper scan that runs during startup and before Windows loads. Ransomware protection creates a backup of important files -- even the ones held in the UEFI (what used to be called the BIOS). The more we explored the app, the more features we found, and we were pleased to find they were not just meaningless add-ons. You can protect your identity using a webcam blocker, get a warning on websites before you visit them, and even ward off botnets. Bitdefender Total Security is still our top pick for antivirus software, but that mostly comes down to value. Both McAfee+ Premium and Norton 360 Deluxe are more expensive for the core security features that all three products offer -- including ransomware protection. Bitdefender limits file transfers in their VPN to 200MB per day and the password manager is a trial version, but the antivirus features are just as robust as anything on the market -- for less. Our other gripe with Norton 360 Deluxe: It tends to ping you about upgrading quite often. We get it: Norton is a powerhouse and they have a lot to offer. But we could stand to hear about it via pop-ups for their privacy monitoring assistance and system performance apps a little less frequently. We always evaluate antivirus software according to the normal annual pricing, not the first year deals which tend to change frequently. We've even seen two different websites offer markedly different first-year pricing, so that pricing is a bit too fluid. Norton 360 Deluxe costs $119.99 per year (after the first year) for up to five devices. That's the same price as McAfee+ Essential which also protects five devices. However, we strongly prefer the McAfee+ Premium subscription in terms of pricing because it protects unlimited devices in your home for $149.99 per Bitdefender Total Security offers equally robust security protection features as both Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee+ Premium, but for a lower price of $109.99. So what's included in Norton 360 Deluxe that makes it a compelling antivirus option? For starters, there are several differentiators that might be worth considering for $10 more per year than Bitdefender, and even compared to protecting unlimited devices with McAfee+ Premium. The security features are so extensive that it takes quite some time to find them all. Norton 360 Deluxe includes intrusion protection against botnets, brute force attacks, and file and print sharing vulnerabilities. You can block access to your webcam and start apps in a protected 'sandbox mode' to make sure they are not infected. A Safe Search feature shows you a warning before visiting any iffy website, explaining any risks involved. And, a rescue disk feature lets you generate a full ISO, or digital copy, of your disk or save everything to a USB drive. That's a long list. For scanning, we really liked the ability to do a very quick scan that only lasts a few seconds, looking for the most obvious problems. Unlike most antivirus apps we've tested, Norton 360 Deluxe then lets you choose from many deeper scanning options -- a full scan, choosing specific folders, scanning only critical files, and then doing a deep scan that runs before Windows loads. The full scan is not quite comparable to the full scan in other antivirus apps because it only took about four minutes, whereas the full pre-boot deep scan took about 35 minutes. Overall, the antivirus scanning options are more extensive than most apps. Norton 360 Deluxe also offers parental protection for your kids, up to five devices. It's somewhat basic but you can control usage time, which sites to block, and even where access is allowed. The included VPN is also powerful. It can disable your internet connection if you visit a site that's compromised and supports split tunneling, allowing some sites to bypass the VPN. One huge bonus with Norton 360 Deluxe is the Genie Scam Protection. It's an AI bot that scans for threats, warns you about websites, and can even protect you from text message threats. Genie even has a chatbot mode where you can ask it about specific websites and whether they are safe. To use the Genie on mobile to ask about text scams, you have to install the Genie app. In order to gauge antivirus detection ability, we reference the testing done by independent labs: SE Labs, AV Test and AV Comparatives. In AV Comparatives March 2025 Malware Protection Test, Norton received a 99.96% antivirus protection rate, blocking 10,026 files and allowing four through, but produced 10 false positives. McAfee and Avast had similar scoring here, while Bitdefender performed ever so slightly better. In AV Test's Jan/February 2025 Product Review and Certification Report, Norton scored a 6 out of 6 for protection against malware attacks, and produced only 3 false positives. Norton also participated in SE Labs' October - December 2023 Endpoint Security Home Protection testing, where they scored 100% accuracy in 100% protection against general and targeted attacks and showed zero response to false positives. As you might expect from a mature and well-known product, Norton 360 Deluxe is fast and reliable. We tested the app on an Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, a Windows computer with 32GB of RAM, and an Apple iMac with 24GB of RAM. The full scan took about four minutes to scan 927K files. That's a bit surprising because both Bitdefender Total security and McAfee+ Premium took around 30 minutes and scanned 1.5M on the same test computer. The reason is that Norton does more of a deep scan before Windows even loads. Oddly, that Startup Scan (as Norton calls it) took 35 minutes and did not report on how many files it found. As for the included VPN, we tested a 150MB download and didn't notice any speed difference whether we had the VPN enabled or not. That finding is the same as the McAfee+ Premium speed test with the VPN, whereas the download with Bitdefender took a bit longer with the VPN enabled. The reason might have to do with how fast the servers are for each product. One discovery with Norton 360 Deluxe is that the 'extras' beyond the antivirus scanning, ransomware protection and included VPN are a mixed bag. Some are powerful and useful, even if advanced features require you to pay for an added subscription. For example, we liked all of the privacy and identity theft features that are included, although they are mostly there as alerts. You can scan the dark web for your email, social security number, and even your mother's maiden name to find any known privacy threats. The downside is that you'll need the Privacy Monitor Assistant add-on that costs $109.99 per year to actually fix any issues automatically, as opposed to fixing them yourself manually. In some tests, the privacy monitoring flagged the wrong person. It showed alerts for someone living at different addresses, which seems like false alarms. Overall, the fact that you have to manually delete old accounts and fix vulnerabilities could mean some users won't bother to take the time -- or will choose to upgrade to the more advanced automatic assistance. Norton also provides plenty of performance features as well. You can check whether software on your computer needs to be updated -- and that's more of a security feature than you might realize. Outdated software is often a huge hole that attackers use to breach a system.. You can also remove junk files and even speed up your computer by disabling some startup files. We bumped into some promotions to upgrade to Norton Utilities for performance boosts. That product costs $69.99 per year. For example, we found 417 broken registries on a PC, but only Norton Utilities lets you fix backups are only supported on Windows, although you can view archives from other devices. Another slight 'gotcha' is the cloud backup limit is for all devices, not per device. A 'protection promise' that says you can get a full refund if you are not able to remove a virus applies to all versions of Norton 360 Deluxe on any platform. We mentioned earlier how Norton 360 Deluxe reminded us of a tax preparation app like TurboTax. That is not a diss. Millions of people use these well-known programs, so they have to be easy to navigate for non-technical users. Norton 360 Deluxe uses a familiar, almost reassuring interface where anything important or that you have to click on is in yellow, like a school bus. Thankfully, the app also shows the most common features front and center. There is a row of buttons on the left for security, performance, privacy and identity. In each section, the most common functions are the most obvious, and then you can drill down to more advanced features. There's even a search function similar to TurboTax for finding features quickly. That makes it easy and quick to find for experienced users and hard to miss for those less experienced ones. Norton offers 24/7 support through online chat or phone. There did not appear to be a way to open a support ticket by email. You can also post in a community forum and, surprisingly, you can also contact tech support through Twitter(X) and Facebook, but that is only for general questions. The online chat starts with a virtual agent that was helpful about an issue related to cloud storage on Mac. A human agent took five minutes to respond and resolved the issue. (Oddly, the virtual bot provided the wrong answer, though the tech contradicted and corrected that advice.) Norton 360 Deluxe is one of the best and most intuitive antivirus apps around, it has extensive features to help you stay protected from security threats, from ransomware protection to botnet blockers, the price is reasonable compared to Bitdefender, and it gets props for having so many antivirus scanning modes. Though our other top pick, Bitdefender, costs $10 less, we'd say McAfee+ Premium is arguably a better value for those with many devices because it protects unlimited devices for about $40 more per month. However, Norton 360 is a thorough and feature-rich choice for those who know they have a set number of devices to protect. Our only caveat is we wish the app didn't prompt us to upgrade to advanced tools so often.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 AARP Perks That Could Add Up to Big Retirement Savings in Your 60s
Retirement can be expensive — and with tariffs looming, it's a good time to look for help wherever you can find it. Enter AARP. Membership to the retirement group is only $20 a year, and the potential savings are huge. Read Next: Find Out: Here are seven AARP benefits that could lead to big savings during your retirement years. Healthcare costs often increase with age, making AARP's prescription discounts particularly valuable. Members can access prescription discount cards through major pharmacies, including Kroger, Walgreens and Walmart Pharmacy. Vision care savings include 50% off prescription lenses at LensCrafters. For those with hearing concerns, HearUSA offers discounted rates on hearing aids and accessories. Check Out: If travel is part of your retirement plans, AARP's travel discounts could save you big. Members can get up to 35% off base-model car rentals at Avis, Budget and Payless (sometimes with free upgrades). Hotel discounts reach up to 25% at chains including Best Western and Wyndham, often with perks like late checkout. Package travelers can save up to $349 on flight and hotel vacation packages and up to $300 on cruises booked through AARP's Travel Center. Dining out can be a lot more affordable when you have 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages at popular chains like Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Joe's Crab Shack. Denny's offers an even better deal with 15% off your check. For frequent diners, these savings can hugely add up over time. Cellphone bills can strain even the most carefully planned retirement budgets, but AARP members can receive waived activation and upgrade fees, discounted wireless plans, and savings on accessories from providers like Consumer Cellular and AT&T. Financial planning doesn't end with retirement. AARP members can access select certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts from institutions like Barclays. They can also get 25% off trusts and wills from Trust & Will. Insurance premiums unfortunately often rise as we get older, making AARP-endorsed insurance a major win. Options include dental insurance from Delta Dental, homeowners and auto insurance from The Hartford, life insurance from New York Life, and Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare. Digital security is also incredibly important, as shady scammers often target older adults. AARP members can save on identity theft protection and online security from Norton 360 and Norton LifeLock, helping safeguard both their digital identity and finances. Keep in mind that similar discounts may be available through other programs. However, the breadth of AARP's offerings and the free second household membership (for a spouse or partner) make it worth considering, especially if you frequently travel, dine out or have significant healthcare expenses. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More Wealth How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? This article originally appeared on 7 AARP Perks That Could Add Up to Big Retirement Savings in Your 60s Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
22-02-2025
- USA Today
Protect your devices with Norton: Get 58% off your first year now
Hear this story — Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. The internet can be a tricky place to navigate. From scammers to hackers, it is crucial to protect your sensitive material from being shared with the wrong people. If you want to keep yourself and your data protected from unwanted cyber threats, Norton is one of the most reputable names in the business. Offering advanced security features, password management and trusted customer support, Norton has much more than just antivirus software. Right now, you can save up to 58% on your first year of protection. Check out the offers below and find the protection that best fits your needs. Norton AntiVirus Plus The Norton AntiVirus Plus package is the basic offer from Norton and includes the following: 1 PC, Mac, tablet or phone Real-time threat protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware NEW! Genie Scam Protection 2GB cloud backup to protect important files from ransomware Password manager to store and manage your passwords securely 24/7 customer support for any technical assistance Pricing: An annual subscription is $29.99, 50% off the usual $59.99 price. Norton 360 Standard The Norton 360 Standard package includes all features of Norton AntiVirus Plus and the following: 3 PCs, Macs, tablets or phones Secure VPN for online privacy and anonymity Dark Web Monitoring to alert you if your personal information is found on the dark web Pricing: An annual subscription is $39.99, 57% off the usual $94.99 price. Norton 360 Deluxe The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes all the features of Norton 360 Standard plus the following: 5 PCs, Macs, tablets or phones Parental control to manage your kids' online activities Privacy control to keep your personal data and online history even more secure Pricing: An annual subscription is $49.99, 58% off the usual $119.99 price. 📲 More:Order your new Samsung Galaxy S25 device and get up to $1,200 in savings Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus The Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus option includes all the features of Norton 360 Deluxe plus the following: 10 PCs, Macs, tablets or phones LifeLock identity theft protection Stolen Wallet Protection Social Security and Credit Alerts Credit Monitoring Coverage: One bureau Up to $25,000 in Stolen Funds Reimbursement Pricing: An annual subscription is $99.99, 47% off the usual $189.99 price. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norton Launches Enhanced AI-Powered Scam Protection Across Cyber Safety Lineup
Defends against phony calls, texts, emails, and websites as cyberthreats from scams and social engineering threats hit record levels TEMPE, Ariz. and PRAGUE, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Norton, a leader in Cyber Safety and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), is setting the standard for scam protection with a new range of AI-powered features fully integrated in Norton Cyber Safety products to help protect people from the most widespread cyberthreat of our time. Like the first domino tipping over and setting off a chain reaction, scams are the initial event that can trigger a series of serious attacks, including identity theft and financial fraud. The Company reports that 90% of all cyberthreats now originate from scams and social engineering threats–a figure that has almost tripled since 2021. Available starting today in the US across the Norton Cyber Safety product lineup, Genie Scam Protection and Genie Scam Protection Pro provide advanced AI protection in all the usual hotbeds for scams: texts, phone calls, emails, and web. Like a detective searching for clues, the Norton Genie AI analyzes the meaning of words, not just links, to spot hidden scam patterns even the most careful person can miss. Norton's most comprehensive plan, Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus, also offers Scam support and Reimbursement coverage for even greater peace of mind**. In 2023, Norton, the leader in AI-powered scam detection, unveiled the first app using AI to provide real-time analysis of suspicious messages and images, Norton Genie. As millions engage with Norton Genie for instant help and advice about potential scams, the AI powering Genie constantly learns and becomes even more effective at helping people. Now with our enhanced Genie Scam Protection built directly into Norton plans, Norton is delivering comprehensive "set it and forget it" scam protection that works proactively to help people be safer, wherever our connected world may take them. "Today's scams are not the scams you could spot a mile away with the naked eye," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "Scammers are tapping into AI to speed up their schemes and make them more believable. Couple that with the sheer volume of emails, texts, and calls we're getting every day; it's clear we need technology on our side to help us avoid becoming the next scam victim. We've built enhanced AI-powered scam protection directly into our Norton products to provide the powerful, always-on scam defense our customers need to protect their digital and financial safety. Our top tier plan helps protect you with proactive scam protection plus scam support and reimbursement to help make you whole again if you fall victim to a scam." Genie Scam Protection features are included at no extra cost as part of Norton's Cyber Safety products on desktop and mobile, including Norton AntiVirus Plus, Norton Mobile Security, and Norton 360 plans. Key features include: Safe SMS: Uses Norton Genie AI to detect sophisticated scams in text messages by analyzing the meaning of words used by scammers. Available exclusively on mobile, where you need it most. Safe Web: Provides advanced AI scam protection when shopping or browsing online. Genie AI-powered Scam Assistant: Integrates the Norton Genie AI app to provide instant guidance on scams and suspicious offers with a single tap. Norton Private Browser: Blocks phishing scams and annoying ads to help people browse, bank and shop with confidence. This feature is available on desktop versions of Norton Private Browser. In addition to Genie Scam Protection, Norton 360 with LifeLock customers also have Genie Scam Protection Pro, which includes: Safe Call: Uses AI to automatically block scam calls, or labels incoming calls as scam, junk, or as a business, so people know if they should answer. Scam Support and Reimbursement: Get help recovering money lost to a scam. A dedicated guide will assist in recovering lost funds. Safe Email: Proactively scans emails to detect hidden scam patterns using Norton Genie AI and flags if they are suspicious, helping to detect sophisticated scams before they're opened. The new Genie Scam Protection and Scam Protection Pro features are available in the US today on supporting platforms. Norton Cyber Safety plans in the UK, Australia and New Zealand will also receive all the features from the Genie Scam Protection bundle. Norton won't stop here with scam protection. Recently at the Consumer Electronics Show, Norton previewed additional innovations coming to Norton products that integrate deepfake and scam detection into AI-supported PCs for lightning-fast protection. To learn more about how you can avoid being scammed, visit *Some features, such as Safe SMS and SafeCall, are only available on mobile. ** Scam protection coverage as part of identity theft benefits is currently available to all customers residing in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, with the exception of residents of New York. Gen Digital is not a licensed insurance producer. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company. You can find further details and exclusions in the summary of benefits at Disclaimer: Some new scam protection features will become available to current Norton customers on a rolling basis. About NortonNorton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at and Mike Healey Courtney Rowles Gen Edelman for Gen press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Gen Digital Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Buy has slashed $400 off the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in its 48-hour flash sale
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. SAVE $400: As of Jan. 27, the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is on sale for $799.99 at Best Buy. This is $400 off its list price of $1,199.99. Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra $799.99 at Best Buy $1,199.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Best Buy has kicked off 2025 in style by dropping several great deals all throughout the month of January. At the moment, the retailer is throwing a 48-hour flash sale that features quite a few offers that are worth taking advantage of, including an impressive discount on the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet. The 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet is currently on sale for $799.99 at Best Buy. This is $400 off its list price of $1,199.99 and even comes with bonus offers of one month free of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a six month subscription of Norton 360 (three devices) with LifeLock Identity Advisor (one adult), and free YouTube Premium for three months. This deal is part of Best Buy's 48-hour flash sale so you'll want to act fast to scoop it up. SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card Boasting a 14.6-inch display and 2960 x 1848 resolution, this screen offers crisp, vibrant images no matter if you're using it for work or play. It also features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 256GB of storage, and up to 16 hours of battery life so you can keep busy on it for longer. We rank the standard Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 as one of the best tablets in 2025, noting it's "a sensible choice if you're already stocked with a Samsung Galaxy phone and earbuds. Just like Apple, its devices sync seamlessly for an all-encompassing ecosystem." This limited-time deal is only sticking around until Jan. 29, so act fast to save on the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet. Best Buy's offering a few more deals that are worth jumping on right now, too. At the moment, you can also save on the 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have had a $150 price drop.
