Norton (software)

Norton
Product typeSecurity software
OwnerGen Digital
Introduced1982 (1982)
MarketsWorldwide
Previous ownersPeter Norton Computing (1982-1990)
Websitewww.norton.com

Norton is a family of computer products and software focused on digital security, privacy, identity protection, and utilities. It is owned by the American company Gen.

The brand was founded in 1982 by Peter Norton Computing and acquired by Symantec in 1990. Norton was originally a suite of utility software for IBM DOS,[1] expanded into user guides for IBM DOS and then utilities and guides for Microsoft DOS in 1982, and eventually expanded into services for Microsoft Windows. After acquiring Norton Computing in 1989, Symantec merged their anti-virus software into the Norton package and rebranded it as Norton AntiVirus which was released in 1991.

In 2014 Symantec separated their business into two units. One was focused on security, and the other was focused on information management; Norton was placed in the unit focused on security.[2] Symantec was renamed to NortonLifeLock in 2019 following Broadcom’s acquisition of its enterprise division.[3]

As of 2025, Norton is a consumer cybersecurity brand of Gen, the parent company formed following the merger between NortonLifeLock and Avast.[4] It currently covers a variety of products and services related to digital security, identity protection, and online privacy and utilities.[5]

History

See also: Norton AntiVirus and Peter Norton Computing

Peter Norton Computing was a software company founded in 1982 by Peter Norton. Norton and his company developed various DOS utilities including the Norton Utilities, which originally did not include antivirus features.

The company was acquired by Symantec in 1990.[6] In early 1991 Symantec's Norton Computer Group launched Norton AntiVirus 1.0 for computers. The company updated and diversified its product line until combining its offerings into one seamless product, Norton Security.[7] Ads for the product, with suggested retail $129, featured Norton in his crossed-arm pose from the user guides, wearing a pink shirt and surgical mask covering his nose and mouth.

In the 1990s, Norton provided software to check computer systems for Y2K compliance.[8]

In 2017, Symantec acquired the online identity threat protection company, LifeLock.[9] In 2019, Symantec was renamed to NortonLifeLock following Broadcom's acquisition of its enterprise division.[3] This rebranding also led to the combination of the Norton 360 suite with the LifeLock identity threat protection offering.[9]

In 2019, Norton 360 was reintroduced, replacing Norton Security and adding privacy features, including a VPN service and identity theft protection services alongside its traditional antivirus features.[10]

Products and services

Norton's products are primarily digital security tools for personal computers, server devices and mobile devices. It is currently compatible with PCs running Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and is available as an annual subscription.[11][12] Norton software is licensed to consumers and small businesses.

Norton 360

The brand's primary product is Norton 360, available in multiple editions.[13] Norton 360 includes real-time threat protection, scam protection, Norton's Secure VPN, cloud backup, a password manager, and a smart firewall. A mobile version of the software is also available.[14] Some versions include parental controls and digital identity features, including dark web monitoring for leaks of personal information.[15] In January 2022, The Verge reported that a crypto-mining tool was included in the Norton 360 security software suite that allowed users to use unused GPU cycles to earn cryptocurrency; the cryptocurrency offering was retired in September 2022.[16][17]

Antivirus and other tools

Norton also offers its traditional antivirus software, Norton AntiVirus Plus, as a standalone service. There are also separate subscriptions for Norton AntiTrack, Norton VPN, and Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant.[18] Other products, including PC tune-up and optimization software (Norton Utilities), identity protection (LifeLock), and others, are also available as separate offerings.[19]

Awards

  • 2022 - Norton 360 was awarded Best Protection (Windows), Best Android Security Product, and Best MacOS Security Product by AV-TEST[20]
  • 2022 - Norton 360 was won AV-Comparatives's Gold Award for Malware Protection[21]
  • 2023 - SE Labs recognized Norton 360 as the Best Home Anti-Malware Solution in its annual report[22]
  • In November 2023, Norton 360 Deluxe maintained the PCMag Editors’ Choice award and "Excellent" rating[23]
  • 2024 - Norton 360 - AV-TEST Institute Best MacOS Security Award for 2024[24]
  • 2025 - Norton - All About Cookies best Antivirus for 2025[25]

Logos

  • 1990-2001
  • 2001-2007
  • 2007-2010
  • 2010-2019
  • 2019-2021
  • 2021-present

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Norton Utilities". softpanorama.org. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  2. ^ "Symantec to split into two companies". USA Today.
  3. ^ a b "Symantec is now NortonLifeLock as Broadcom closes purchase of its enterprise business". SiliconANGLE. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  4. ^ "NortonLifeLock Merges With Avast to Form New Company Called 'Gen'". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  5. ^ "Gartner Says Worldwide Security Software Market Grew 5.3 Percent in 2014". Archived from the original on May 30, 2015.
  6. ^ "History of Symantec Corporation – FundingUniverse". www.fundinguniverse.com.
  7. ^ "Symantec to slim Norton line to single security suite".
  8. ^ "Symantec Norton 2000 Protects Small Businesses and Consumers by Pinpointing Y2K Problems on Desktops, Laptops - Symantec". Symantec. Archived from the original on 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  9. ^ a b Stiennon, Richard. "The Demise Of Symantec". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  10. ^ Desire Athow (2019-04-29). "Norton adds a VPN and more to its refreshed 360 products". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  11. ^ "New Norton 360 app can now completely protect your Android and iOS devices - Tech Guide". www.techguide.com.au. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  12. ^ Fenech, Stephen (2022-09-30). "Norton 360 Advanced is an insurance policy against identity theft". Tech Guide. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  13. ^ Desire Athow (2021-11-12). "NortonLifeLock on why it's getting back behind the classic brand name". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  14. ^ Darren Allan (2021-06-25). "Norton Mobile Security: what is it and what's included on Android and iOS?". TechRadar. Retrieved 2022-09-10.
  15. ^ Chiara Castro (2022-12-06). "Keep an eye on your data with Norton Dark Web Monitoring". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  16. ^ Clark, Mitchell (2022-01-07). "Here's the truth about the crypto miner that comes with Norton Antivirus". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  17. ^ Kan, Michael (2022-09-08). "NortonLifeLock to End Antivirus Crypto-Mining Due to Ethereum Merge". PCMAG. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  18. ^ "Norton AntiTrack Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  19. ^ "Norton Computer Tune Up". us.norton.com.
  20. ^ "AV-TEST Award 2022 for Norton". www.av-test.org. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  21. ^ Zehentmaier, Verena (2023-02-24). "AV-Comparatives Awards 2022 for Norton". AV-Comparatives. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  22. ^ Team, SE Labs (2023-02-06). "Annual Report 2023". SE Labs. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  23. ^ "Norton 360 Deluxe Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  24. ^ "AV-TEST Award 2024 for Norton". www.av-test.org. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  25. ^ "The Best Antivirus Software for Laptops 2025". All About Cookies. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
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