Norton 360 facts for kids
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| Developer(s) | Gen Digital |
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| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Predecessor | Norton Security |
| Type | Antivirus software, Personal Firewall and backup |
| License | Trialware |
Norton 360 is a special computer program that helps keep your devices safe online. It's like an "all-in-one" security guard for your computer, phone, and tablet. It was created by a company called Gen Digital.
This program helps protect you from viruses and other harmful software. It also has a firewall to block unwanted access to your computer. Plus, it can help you make copies of your important files, which is called backup. The current version of Norton 360 came out in 2019. It replaced an older program called Norton Security.
Contents
Older Norton 360 (2006–2014)
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| Developer(s) | Symantec |
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| Operating system | Windows XP (IA-32 only), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Linux |
| Platform | IA-32 and x64 |
| Type | Antivirus software, Personal Firewall and backup |
| License | Trialware |
The first version of Norton 360 was also an "all-in-one" security program. It was made for regular computer users by Symantec, which is now Gen Digital. It first came out in 2006 and was stopped in 2014. Its features were then moved into the next program, Norton Security.
How Norton 360 Developed
Early Ideas: Project Genesis
In 2006, Symantec announced a new project called Project Genesis. This project aimed to combine antivirus tools and a firewall with new features. These new features included backing up files and making computers run faster. They also planned to add protection against phishing (fake websites trying to steal your info) and real-time ways to find new threats. This new program was also designed to work well with Windows Vista.
The project was later renamed Norton 360. It was planned to have all the features of Norton Internet Security, plus file backup, performance tools, and phishing protection.
Norton 360 Version 1.0
The first official version, 1.0, was released on February 26, 2007. This version was special because it used a new technology called SONAR. SONAR helps find brand-new viruses, called zero-day viruses, by watching how programs act. If a program acts suspiciously, Norton 360 can stop it.
This version also let users save copies of their files online or to a hard drive, CD, or DVD. It had tools to make your computer faster, like cleaning up old files and organizing your hard drive. The phishing protection worked with Internet Explorer to warn you about dangerous websites.
People liked that Version 1.0 used less computer power than other Norton programs. They also found its phishing protection very good. However, some felt it didn't give advanced users enough control.
Norton 360 Version 2.0
Version 2.0 came out on March 3, 2008. This update allowed users to back up data to Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. If you had Norton 360 on many computers, you could manage them all from one place. It also added a tool to clean up your computer's registry, which helps keep it running smoothly. Phishing protection was added for Mozilla Firefox users. A feature called Norton Identity Safe was also added to securely store your website logins.
Norton 360 Version 3.0
Version 3.0 was released on March 4, 2009. This version used the same core programming as Norton Internet Security 2009.
A new feature called Norton Safe Web was included. This tool works with your web browser to warn you about unsafe websites. It also added the ability to back up files to a flash drive. You could even browse your backed-up files as if they were on a regular drive. This version also helped you control which programs start when your computer turns on.
Norton 360 Version 4.0
Version 4.0 was released on February 17, 2010. This update brought many new security features from Norton Internet Security 2010. The look of the program also changed to match the gold and black colors of Norton Internet Security.
Norton 360 Version 5.0
Version 5.0 came out in February 2011. It offered better performance and was better at finding viruses. It also improved features like SONAR and Download Insight, which checks files you download. The program's look was updated with new icons and animations. It also added "Safeweb for Facebook," which scans links on your Facebook page to check if they are safe.
Norton 360 Version 6.0
This version added "Metered Broadband modes," which helped manage internet data usage. It also made it easier to remember logins and other personal information while protecting against online identity theft.
Norton 360 Version-Less (2012)
Released on September 5, 2012, this version was called "Version-Less." This meant it would automatically update itself to the newest version without needing big new releases. It worked with Windows 8. This version improved protection for social media, helped against online scams, and made network defenses stronger. It also included a disk optimizer to help your computer run better.
Norton 360 Version 21 (2014)
Version 21 was released on September 4, 2013. It continued to use SONAR technology to find, block, and remove threats. It had "layers of shields" like Threat Monitoring, Threat Removal, and Network Defense to stop online dangers before they reached your computer.
Norton 360 Version 22 (2015)
Version 22 came out on September 22, 2014. This release was sold as Norton Security 2015. However, people who had Norton 360 could still update to this version, even though the Norton 360 name was being phased out.
Current Norton 360 (2019)
In April 2019, the Norton 360 name was brought back. It replaced Norton Security and added new features. These included Norton Secure VPN, which helps keep your internet connection private. It also offered online backup space and special plans with LifeLock identity theft protection.
Since then, even more features have been added. In 2021, a special set of tools for gamers was introduced. In February 2022, social media monitoring services were added to help keep an eye on your online presence.
Different Versions of Norton 360
Norton 360 comes in different versions, like Norton 360 (standard), Norton 360 Premier Edition, and Norton 360 Multi-Device. The Premier Edition usually offers more online storage space. Norton 360 Multi-Device is a subscription that covers different types of devices, including computers and mobile phones.
Norton 360 is not something you buy once. Instead, you buy a subscription for a certain time, like one year. If you don't renew your subscription, the security features like the firewall and antivirus will stop working.
Mobile Version
Gen Digital released a Norton 360 app for mobile phones in 2021. You can find it on the App Store for iOS devices (like iPhones) and Google Play for Android devices. This app helps protect your phone or tablet just like the computer version protects your computer.
See also
In Spanish: Norton 360 para niños
