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Which Norton Antivirus Should I Buy? [Explained]

Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – September 6th, 2022

which Norton antivirus should you buy

With so many products and packages available, Norton modified its products throughout the years in response to the shifting market, leaving users unsure about the question of which Norton antivirus should I buy. Norton has effectively developed its brand over the years, not simply via marketing. 

It is with their intense focus on user experience and security with excellent threat detection rates. Life Lock and Norton 360’s various product ranges include nearly all the features you may want in antivirus software. However, the products that Norton replaced to provide this for customers are the real issue since they confuse users when they think of buying Norton.

Therefore, keep reading to see which Norton plan would be best for you, given your demands and budget.

Which Norton Antivirus Should I Buy? [Explained]

Norton – The Industry Leader

comparing Norton and LifeLock antivirus and PC protectors

Since 1991, Norton Security has been developing and distributing antivirus or anti-malware software, which is why it has long got regarded as the industry standard in home cybersecurity. These represent just a small portion of the several categories of cyber security Norton has provided for use with PCs, cellphones, and tablets. Norton has a global subscription base; as of 2 April 2021, there were about 80 million users.

Norton doesn’t refer to itself as the leader since its reputation gets based on the outcomes consumers could achieve or the security its products provide. In almost all of the tests run by independent testers, Norton provided 100% protection.

It also includes amazing supplementary features and remarkable effectiveness against malware. Yes, there are some drawbacks, but that is not what I want to talk about today. Instead, let’s look at how Norton got to where it is now, beginning three decades ago.

Norton Product Changes

When dozens of foreign virus strains began invading American PCs, and corporate PC infection started to pose a significant threat, everything began for Norton. Around that time, the Norton Group of Symantec released Norton Antivirus for compatible PCs and personal commuters. Additionally, as time went on, Norton upgraded its primary AV suit offering in addition to making several other acquisitions along the road.

Symantec significantly improved the speed and performance of its products between the 2009 and 2012 versions. However, they just released Norton Antivirus and Norton Internet Security, which independent testers found to be the lightest suites on the market.

In 2017, Norton underwent a makeover. It was the moment that Symantec, the parent company of Norton at the time, finished buying the Life Lock business. The features that may differ depending on the location you are presently living in any place in the globe were added, which altered the complete range of Norton products and raised the issue of you wondering which Norton antivirus should I buy.

Which Norton Antivirus Product Should You Buy? - Norton’s Current Product Range

If you reside in the USA, you can purchase anything from Norton without worrying about whether or not all features will function for you. Norton has varied limitations on their capabilities depending on where in the world you reside. Below is the product range you will get when you want to buy Norton products.

For People Worldwide – Product & Pricing

Let’s get started with Norton’s top recommendation for individuals worldwide. I could have just said Norton to you. However, as was mentioned above, it has undergone revisions. As of October 2014, Norton relegated the first Norton 360 to its legacy offerings.

It launched Norton Security in its stead, and Norton Security was replaced by the new Norton 360 in April 2019. As a result, we currently have Norton 360, a full-featured antivirus program that can get used on Windows PCs, Macs, iOS, Android-based smartphones, and tablets.

As an international user, you should now consider which tier you should utilize rather than which product to purchase because it is available in three tiers with features ranging from basic to advanced. There are currently the following levels.

Norton 360 Standard

Norton 360 standard and Norton 360 Deluxe

By monitoring illegal traffic in real-time and providing complete malware protection for a single device, Norton 360 Standard helps safeguard your personal and financial information online. It also has other features, but we’ll discuss them briefly later. The lowest price tier for Norton products starts at $39.99 per year. However, the price will increase significantly when you renew your subscription the following year.

This tier could answer your query about which Norton antivirus should I buy. It has an adequate level of protection apart from the absence of a privacy monitor and less backup storage, and the biggest drawback is that you can only use it on a single device.

Norton 360 Deluxe

Norton 360 Deluxe provides the same thorough malware protection, but it is now available for up to 5 devices with a privacy manager, more storage for a safe cloud backup of 50GB, and a secure VPN. You may also sign up for Dark Web Monitoring, which will alert you if any of your data gets discovered on the Dark Web. You can buy it now for $49.99 for an annual subscription. It is worth spending $10 extra to get this tier for using all the features on multiple devices with added part of parental control as well.

Norton 360 Premium

Norton 360 Premium

The complete virus defense for overseas users is Norton 360 Premium. You get access to up to 10 devices, a 100 GB cloud storage space, and all other services, giving you more control over your online privacy. With some family members owning two or more devices, this is the most affordable option for the entire unit. The cost of this bundle is $54.99, which is more than other tiers by much less if you see the features enhanced for all the family.

For People in the United States – Product & Pricing

Norton provides the products we described above to everyone worldwide, but what if I told you that this is not the whole range of security Norton offers? Unfortunately, the topic we will describe next only applies to users in the USA only, as Norton has upgraded its security by actively monitoring your financial activities.

Only in the United States is it possible to use technology to check hundreds of millions of pieces of information for risks to your identity.

Other antivirus software does not offer the same options as Norton. Below are the tiers you should be aiming for in answer to which Norton antivirus should I buy if you are more inclined towards identity theft protection.

Norton 360 + Life Lock Select

For your protection against identity theft, Life Lock is a membership-based subscription service that offers advanced monitoring technologies and alarm systems. You may purchase it separately from the official website. However, I advise purchasing it along with Norton 360. As a result, this Life Lock tier includes your credit bureau and services like identity and SSN alerts.

And even then, if you are compromised, you are entitled to $2500 in reimbursements and $1 million in legal and expert fees. Use this package if you wish to receive Life Lock’s fundamental advantages, but be sure to understand whether or not you require this sort of activity alerting.

Norton 360 + Life Lock Advantage

As you go up the order, the monitoring through Life Lock goes intense. As soon as Norton notices any unusual behavior, you will be able to get alerts on your credit card suspicious activity. With Fictitious Identity Monitoring, you can know if fraudsters could exploit false personal information linked to your identity.

Additionally, Norton will be able to check court records to determine whether you have got unjustly associated with arrests and convictions that you are unaware of. It comes with money; personal expense reimbursement is up to $100K. It is pretty expensive, and $191.88 get the subscription for a whole year. If you are not even interested in keeping track of your finances, I would not advise you to get this package because it is not suitable for everyone.

Norton 360 + LifeLock Ultimate Plus

It is the most costly package offered by Norton and the AV industry, starting from $299.88. However, it is the only plan that enables you to use as many devices as you choose, or, to put it another way, unlimited devices with 500 GB of storage backup. If your identity gets stolen, you are eligible for up to $1M in reimbursements for monies that were either stolen or used for personal expenses if you purchase this package.

Additionally, you receive reports from all three credit agencies rather than just one. The lifelines for financial progress are frequently investment and retirement accounts. With this premium plan, Norton will monitor it and notify you of withdrawals and balance transfers in your 401(k) balance. As you can see, if all you want is security for your devices against cyberattacks, this bundle is most definitely not for you.

Which Norton Antivirus Program Should You Buy? - Bottom Line

I’ve covered every Norton product and package for protection, and now it’s up to you to choose which is best for you. If you only need security for one device, I recommend checking at Norton 360 Standard. However, if you need more devices for family members, in that case, I advise spending a little more to buy Norton 360 Premium, which will offer you the freedom to use it on ten devices while still providing all the security features. Life Lock service is not for everyone, and as an international user, it is not available for you anyway.

Overall, Norton has the potential to demonstrate to you that you have total security, keeping you safe in real-time, regardless of the package you choose.

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Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller

IT Consultant at Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.

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About Online Cloud Security:

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

Recent Posts:

Online Cloud Security Logo (500x500px)

About Online Cloud Security

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

Recent Posts: