Norton 360 2013

Bottom Line

Norton 360 2013 (*Est. $40 for 3 PCs) is Symantec's most comprehensive Internet security suite, adding backup and PC tune-up features to the excellent malware features of Norton Internet Security (2013). Norton 360 performs its antivirus, anti-phishing and anti-spamming tasks excellently and as well as Norton Internet Security (2013), and its backup feature comes with 2 GB of hosted online storage space. However, the tune-up feature is limited and not as effective as similar stand-alone products.

Ease of Use

Simple to install and customize. Norton 360's installation process is quick and easy, and doesn't require you to reboot your computer. The interface is simpler and "more blocky" than previous years, and clicking a button on the interface expands it into a menu of related functions. One reviewer is annoyed by the pop-ups that appear at the top of the screen warning that an application's taking up too much memory or disk space. Advanced users can quickly and easily customize the software's security settings.

Features

Comprehensive protection. With all the malware protection features of Norton Internet Security (2013), antivirus, identity protection, parental control and firewall modules, Norton 360 provides extensive malware and phishing protection. Tasks are grouped into three categories -- General, Backup and Tune-up -- with the General category containing all the malware protection tools. Backup tools allow you to set up local, network and online backup schedules, and you can store backups locally on your computer or in the 2 GB of hosted online storage space that comes with your license.

Norton 360 performs a backup automatically when it detects a change to a file, and you can access your online backup files from any computer. If you need more online storage for backups, consider Norton 360 Premier (*Est. $60) , which comes with 25 GB of space. The PC tune-up tools optimize your disk, clean up your files and produce a diagnostic status report while the computer is idle. Several reviewers report that, while useful, the tune-up features aren't as extensive as those of dedicated tune-up applications.

Performance

Software doesn't bog down your computer. Norton 360 performs its anti-malware functions just as well as the highly rated Norton Internet Security (2013) that it is based on. Reviewers report that Norton 360 doesn't slow down the performance of their computers, and that it performed the fastest of all security software tested at PC Advisor. The testers at respected testing facility AV-Test rated the software as very good, but the testers at PCMag.com found Norton 360's malware blocking to be "good not great."