Security, scans, and backup
Norton AntiVirus Plus is an endpoint security application for Windows and macOS. It installs background services, kernel-level drivers, and browser extensions to enforce controls across file, process, and web layers. Core modules support real-time scanning, signature and behavior analysis, cloud reputation lookups, and event logging with quarantine and restore.
Norton AntiVirus Plus integrates an AI anti-scam, a cross-platform password manager with an encrypted vault and sync, and a Windows client for 2 GB cloud backup. Updates use an automated service. Policies support scheduled scans, exclusions, and removable-media checks. Components load at startup and register with the operating system’s security framework.
Norton AntiVirus Plus features a real-time anti-malware engine that monitors file-system and process activity, scanning on access and on schedule. It uses definitions, heuristics, and cloud classification to score items, then quarantines or blocks them by policy. It can scan archives, documents, and inspect scripts. Ransomware controls restrict unauthorized encryption via protected folders and behavior blocking. The remediation module isolates artifacts, records changes, and supports restoration.
Anti-malware and web protection
The antivirus web protection stack installs browser extensions and a network filter. However, phishing protection depends on supported browsers/extensions. It evaluates URLs and page components using reputation services to block phishing, scam, and malware sites. Decisions are informed by certificate validity and redirection patterns. Pages are intercepted before load, and a block page is displayed with event detail. Download Insight applies reputation checks to binaries to save time.
Account and data tools run with the core agent. The Password Manager stores credentials in an encrypted cloud vault, syncing across Windows, iOS, and Android via apps/extensions. The Password Manager supports search, generation, and autofill, with CSV import capability. Cloud Backup uses a utility to schedule and transmit selected data to Norton storage. Backups run on idle or fixed times, keeping versioned copies, with status visible in the console.
Security layers
Norton AntiVirus Plus deploys kernel and user-mode components for real-time inspection, a browser layer for URL and download reputation, and cloud services for classification, password vault sync, and Windows-only backup. Distinctive elements include an AI-labeled anti-scam detector tied to web flows and integrated password management. However, it relies on browser extensions for full phishing protection. All modules are updated through an automated service with policy controls.
Pros
- Real-time file, process, and script monitoring
- Cloud reputation and definition updates
- Detailed logs, quarantine, and restore workflow
- Policy controls for schedules and exclusions
Cons
- Phishing protection depends on supported browsers/extensions
