Want antivirus that also handles scam websites, a firewall and backups in one package? Norton Antivirus, sold today as Norton AntiVirus Plus by Gen Digital, adds a Smart Firewall, a password manager, 2 GB of cloud backup and AI scam protection to real-time malware blocking.
What does real-time protection check?
Norton monitors for viruses, spyware, trojans, and other suspicious code as you use the computer. Its checks extend to common activities such as browsing the web and handling email, so a suspicious item can be flagged when it is encountered.
- Email content can be checked for threats.
- USB drives and other removable media are checked when connected.
- Questionable code is evaluated for signs of malicious activity.
Can Norton inspect compressed files?
Yes. Norton can analyze questionable content inside compressed files, which lets a scan look beyond the archive itself for suspicious material. This is relevant when an archive arrives by email or is downloaded from the web.
What happens when Norton finds a virus?
Detected threats are quarantined automatically and listed in the security history, where you can restore or delete them. The Virus Protection Promise offers expert help to remove a virus or a refund, and Genie, Norton's AI assistant, checks suspicious messages, links and sites for scams.
Pros
- Real-time checks cover suspicious code and online activity
- Smart Firewall, password manager and 2 GB cloud backup included
- Compressed files can be examined for questionable content
- A taskbar shortcut provides access to virus-response options
Cons
- Renewal price is much higher than the first year
- Frequent prompts to upgrade to Norton 360
- Not supported on Windows in S mode
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 · Windows 7 requires Service Pack 1 or later with SHA2 support · Processor: 1 GHz · RAM: 2 GB for Windows 10/11; 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) for Windows 7/8 · 300 MB available disk space
Does Norton Antivirus check email attachments and USB drives?
Yes. Email attachments, downloads and removable drives are scanned as they are used.
Can it scan the contents of a compressed file?
Yes. Norton can analyze questionable content within compressed files.
How can I respond to a detected virus?
Use the Norton taskbar shortcut to access virus-response options.