Norton 360 - Review

Norton 360 is an all-in-one security, backup, and tuneup service that automatically protects PCs, data, and transactions so users can engage in everyday online activities without worry. It combines Symantec’s proven security and PC Tuneup technologies with new antiphishing and automatic backup technologies plus the support of Symantec’s Internet security network to provide comprehensive computing protection, eliminating the need to purchase and manage multiple products.

PC Security

Defends against a broad range of threats. Norton 360 utilizes Symantec’s leading technologies— including unrivaled rootkit detection and remediation—to protect against a broad range of threats. It blocks spyware and other unwanted programs that can steal a user’s identity and harm computer performance.

Transaction Security

Safeguards against online identity theft. Norton 360 provides zero-hour protection by detecting fraudulent Web sites and automatically authenticates popular shopping and banking sites. Its innovative technologies prevent fraud and phishing attacks to help protect online identities.

Backup and Restore

Protects important files from loss. Automated backup and recovery features help ensure that photos, music, and other files are secure so they are always available for users to enjoy.

PC Tuneup

Keeps PCs tuned for peak performance. Integrated maintenance and optimization tools keep computers running at their best. Clutter is automatically cleaned up and hard disks are optimized in the background.

Hassle-Free User Experience

The easy-to-understand interface clearly indicates what activities are safe and how Norton 360 is providing protection. Norton 360 automatically resolves most security, backup, and tuneup issues quietly in the background.

Automatic Updates

Protects against the latest online threats. Norton 360 provides both virus definition updates and feature updates to help ensure that you are protected against new and evolving threats.*

Primary Benefits

Defends against a broad range of threats, including viruses, spyware, hackers, and more
Safeguards against online identity theft with phishing protection and Web site authentication
Automatically backs up important files and documents so users can restore them at any time
Tunes PCs to help keep them running at peak performance

Included in the subscription-based service

PC Security
Transaction Security
Backup and Restore
PC Tuneup
Support for Microsoft® Windows Vista™ clients
(32- and 64-bit)

Features and Benefits

PC Security

Rootkit protection

Symantec has developed advanced, patent-pending technology that detects, blocks, and removes camouflaged threats at all system levels: application, user mode, operating system, file system, and disk. Unlike spyware, rootkits are stealthy threats that can be embedded in a driver deep within the operating system, while displaying no noticeable symptoms. Symantec’s heuristic scanning and inspection techniques allow Norton 360 to detect and remove kernel-mode rootkits and other sophisticated threats that can be invisible to Windows and other security software. The effectiveness of Symantec’s rootkit removal technologies is highly regarded in the industry and ranked number one by Thompson Cyber Security Labs.**

Spyware detection and remediation

Norton 360 benefits from Symantec’s industry-leading spyware and adware detection and removal technologies. In recent testing conducted by AV-Test/TUV Saarland, Symantec’s antispyware performance outpaced all competitors by a wide margin.***

Antispyware Performance

Smart two-way firewall

Norton 360 automatically and continuously configures itself to allow good programs to communicate over the Internet while blocking spyware, viruses, worms, and crimeware from outbound communications that could potentially transmit sensitive personal information, infect other computers, and contain botnet commands given by hackers to gain remote control of a computer. The smart firewall also benefits from continuously updated security information that is automatically delivered by Symantec™ Security Response. Automated security decisions eliminate the need for users to make complex security choices. Because Norton 360 provides the latest in firewall functionality, it is not necessary to use the Windows firewall.

Intrusion prevention

Industry-leading intrusion prevention technology shields unpatched, newly discovered vulnerabilities in popular applications and the Windows operating system to prevent crimeware from using the network layer to take control of a computer or steal personal information. The technology does not wait for specific threat signatures to be published before protecting the computer from viruses, worms, hackers, spyware, and other risks. Instead, it shields the detected vulnerability and blocks attacks attempting to exploit it, delivering powerful protection against “drive-by” downloads.

Network detection

The Network Detector automatically detects networks in various locations and adjusts the security settings accordingly. Norton 360 can learn about accessible networks and adjust its security settings accordingly based on what network is available. This feature gives laptop users immediate protection from online threats regardless of the network to which they connect. The user can customize the security settings for each new location.

Vulnerability assessment

Vulnerability assessment automatically inspects security settings and checks for vulnerabilities, including browser configuration deficiencies, weak passwords, and Web site redirection, providing a deeper level of protection against common exploits by suggesting corrective actions.

Auto-protect blocking

Auto-protect blocking detects and blocks incoming viruses, spyware, and unwanted adware threats as they attempt to install and execute themselves on the system. Proactive protection for the computer, it blocks threats before they enter, rather than detecting and removing them after the fact. It is always running invisibly in the background, protecting users’ computers. And, since it’s an easy “install and forget” feature, the user doesn’t need to make constant security decisions in order to keep the system safe and protected.

Scanning capabilities

Norton 360 provides two types of scans:

Preinstall scan detects spyware, viruses, and worms on an already infected system and removes high-risk threats before installation.
Full system scan now includes a smart background scheduler that monitors the system for user input, CPU usage, and disk activity and initiates or pauses Norton 360 tasks accordingly to minimize their impact, allowing users to work with minimal impact to computing performance.

Symantec Security Response

Symantec Security Response is a team of dedicated intrusion experts, security engineers, virus hunters, threat analysts, and global technical support teams that work together to provide extensive coverage for enterprise businesses and consumers. Symantec Security Response provides customers with comprehensive, global, 24x7 security expertise to guard against today’s complex Internet threats. To proactively address new and emerging security threats, Symantec Security Response draws on three resources:

Symantec Global Intelligence Network. This worldwide network comprises information security and operations specialists as well as Symantec’s global community of thousands of Internet activity sensors. The Global Intelligence Network provides Symantec Security Response with an unparalleled, data-driven view of the entire security landscape—which translates into a unique competitive advantage. Symantec’s worldwide reach enables Symantec to see threats first so that customers can respond rapidly
Symantec Research Centers. Located around the world, the research centers of Symantec Security Response are focused on collecting and analyzing the latest malicious threats—from network security threats and vulnerabilities to viruses and worms. When a new threat or vulnerability is discovered, Symantec Security Response experts provide rapid emergency response, focusing on communication with customers and delivery of security updates, patches, and countermeasures
Technical Support. Symantec Security Response works with Symantec’s technical support teams located in facilities throughout the world to provide customers with information on product implementation and usage, as well as countermeasures and identification tools for new threats

Transaction Security

Phishing protection

Many phishing sites stay active for only a short period of time, so zero-hour antiphishing protection is a must. Norton 360 leverages advanced heuristic analysis to deliver phishing protection that identifies even previously unknown threats based on specific characteristics and warns customers to prevent them from visiting suspected phishing sites - even if they are among the first visitors to a new fraudulent site. Further, when users visit any Web site, Norton 360 automatically checks the site against a global phishing site “block list” that is continuously updated in real time.

Norton 360 protects users from online identity theft by identifying and blocking fraudulent Web sites that might steal their personal information.
Real-time protection and threat notification in Internet Explorer Web browsers provide immediate knowledge about transient, fraudulent sites.
Dangerous sites are clearly displayed through seamless integration of the Norton toolbar into the Internet Explorer browser.

Web site authentication

In addition to detecting and blocking fraudulent or suspicious sites, Norton 360 authenticates sites of trusted brands and confirms that the page being visited belongs to the company represented. It validates the authenticity of popular banking and shopping sites to provide shielding protection, giving users confidence that they are transacting with legitimate sites.

Backup and Restore

Norton 360 takes the confusion and hassle out of data protection by enabling convenient, automatic backup for photos, financial records, music, and other important files to local CD/DVD, USB, or attached hard drives or a secure online service - with virtually no user intervention required.

Securely backs up files to local drives, including internal and attached hard drives, mapped network drives, and CD/DVD and USB devices
Offers the option to schedule and automatically backup files to a secure online storage service with 2 GB capacity (additional online storage available at additional cost)
Makes setup simple and easy to complete via a user-friendly wizard that takes users through easy-to-understand“what, where, when” configuration steps
Automatically discovers new files that should be backed up and takes data protection actions based on the user’s predetermined preferences
Makes it easy to find restored content with robust search capabilities
Restores content to its original location and organizational scheme on the hard disk with full-path restore functionality

PC Tuneup and Embedded Support

PC Tuneup

Automated maintenance and disk optimization keep PCs running at their best. Unwanted Internet clutter and temporary files that can slow down PC performance are automatically cleaned up and disks are optimized in the background.

Embedded support

Norton 360 includes embedded support components that can diagnose problems and help users quickly resolve common issues like connectivity, licensing, and product activation. Embedded support also provides easy access to troubleshooting assistance and tech support via phone, email, and live chat—all from within the Norton 360 user experience.****

Other Features and Benefits

Intuitive user interface

Norton 360 is designed from the ground up to clearly communicate protection status at a glance through the main user interface and the system tray icon. It offers a user experience that is reassuring, helpful, and nonintrusive - without confusing technical jargon.

“Set-and-forget” approach incorporates business logic for scheduling tasks and communicating potential risks to users.
Whenever possible, decisions are made automatically by default, requiring no user interaction.

Smart background scheduler

Norton 360 includes a smart scheduling feature that runs scans, tuneups, and backups when a PC is free, helping to minimize any impact on system resources when it’s in use. The scheduler monitors the system for user input, CPU usage, and disk activity to throttle tasks and minimize impact on the computing experience. When idle time parameters are met, it automatically initiates any outstanding scans, backups, or tuneups.

Optimized performance

Norton 360 is designed to be fast, lean, and efficient, delivering industry-leading performance without sacrificing protection. It delivers significant performance enhancements in the areas of install time, boot time, user interface launch speed, memory usage, scan speed, and Internet download speed.

Support for Microsoft Windows Vista

In January 2007, the Windows Vista operating system was scheduled to become available to consumers, providing enhanced usability and graphics and an improved foundation for security. While this release was a big step forward in the security of home computing, users still need a comprehensive protection solution that is integrated with Windows Vista. Norton security products from Symantec focus on protecting your customers against today’s issues and tomorrow’s threats, enabling them to work and play in our connected world more safely than ever before.

Norton 360 - Competitive Position

Trust and confidence - Symantec protects more people from more online threats than anyone in the world.
All-in-one solution - Norton 360 provides comprehensive, automated protection across a range of security, data protection, and PC tuneup functions. It is designed especially for customers who use their computers for a wide range of activities and want rock-solid protection backed by industry-leading security technology for their PCs, data, and online transactions.
Simplicity and convenience - Norton 360 delivers a comprehensive set of automated features and services that users can set and forget. It offers a superior user experience by clearly indicating what activities are safe. It minimizes alerts and automatically resolves a majority of security, privacy, and performance issues quietly in the background, with minimal user intervention.
Antiphishing technology - Norton 360 protects consumers with transaction security technology that detects and defends against phishing and criminally motivated attacks, and it authenticates popular branded Web sites. It provides zero-hour threat protection using innovative heuristics-based technology against unknown phishing sites and maintains a block list of known fraudulent sites.
Flexible backup and restore options - Norton 360 automatically discovers new content and backs it up to either local or secure online backup locations for easy retrieval anytime.
PC Tuneup and embedded support - Norton 360 provides automated tuneup for common problems and gathers system status and error information to facilitate troubleshooting by support personnel.
Protection against the latest threats - As an ongoing service, Norton 360 provides protection updates and new product features to protect against new types of threats.
Backed by Symantec Security Response - Norton 360 protects against the latest threats by leveraging Symantec’s global Internet threat detection network to give consumers comprehensive and up-to-date protection for their systems.

* One-year protection. With this service, users receive the right to use Norton 360 on up to three household PCs during the service period, beginning with initial installation. This renewable service includes protection updates and new product features as available throughout the service period. Product features may be added, modified, or removed during the service period.

** Thompson Cyber Security Labs, Handling Today’s Tough Security Threats, November 1, 2006.

*** AV-Test/TUV Saarland, August 2006.

**** Free telephone support is limited to installation and product-related issues. Telephone support for noninstallation and nonproduct related issues is available at an additional charge.

Review - Norton 360