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Norton 360

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Norton 360
Developer(s)Symantec Corporation
Stable release
3.0.0.134
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeAntivirus
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteNorton 360 Homepage

Norton 360, developed by Symantec, is a subscription service which provides malware prevention and removal. Other features include a software firewall, phishing protection, file backup, and PC maintenance tools. It is distributed as a download, a box copy, or preinstalled on computers as OEM software. Additional functions, such as parental controls, are available as extensions developed also by Symantec.[1]

Norton 360 is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. Experimental support for Windows 7 was added in version 3.0.[2] The latest version available is 3.0.0.134.

Version history

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On February 7, 2006 Symantec announced Project Genesis. The project was to progress Symantec towards Security 2.0, a vision of utilizing the company's infrastructure and partnerships with other companies to create an ecosystem of services offering protection against web threats. Genesis was originally scheduled for release in fall 2006.[3]

John W. Thompson, CEO of Symantec, highlighted the drop of high profile malware attacks, lessening the demand for basic antivirus services. Over a 100 million attacks were recorded from 2002 to 2004, compared to six in 2005. He emphasized protection against emerging threats such as identity theft, using technologies acquired from WholeSecurity. Another driving force behind Genesis was Microsoft's recent entry in the consumer antivirus market, with OneCare. It integrated file backup, PC maintenance, and traditional security tools. File backup was planned to be part of Genesis as a result, using technologies acquired from Veritas. However, Thompson stated file backup may be a separate offering; financial analysts were unconvinced consumers would be interested in backup.[4] PC maintenance and cleanup tools were to be ported from Norton Utilities.

Genesis was renamed Norton 360 on May 31, 2006. The PC maintenance, file backup, and transaction security features were confirmed. Beta versions were to be made available to the public in summer 2006, and it was slated for release towards the end of Symantec's fiscal year, in multiple countries and languages. Support for Windows Vista would be added following its release to the public.[5] The same day, McAfee announced a new project, codenamed Falcon, a "all-in-one" security suite similar to the just announced Norton 360 and Microsoft OneCare.[6]

The public beta was delayed, missing its summer 2006 shippment. Symantec announced the delay shortly after Microsoft began shipping OneCare, and a day after McAfee announced Falcon would be shipped summer 2006. The general availbility of Norton 360 was delayed as well, from Setember 2006 to March 2007.

The initial beta was released in November, compatible with Windows XP only. Another beta was released December 20, 2006, compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista build 6000.[7] As part of the beta testing, users were provided free technical support.[8] In February 2007, Symantec began distributing copies of Norton 360 to retailers. The product would be available to consumers by the middle of March. Over 100,000 people had tested the software since it was released as a beta.[9]

Existing subscribers of Norton 360, with an active subscription can download the latest version without having to pay an upgrade fee.[10][11]

Version 1.0

Version 1.0 was released on February 26, 2007. Similar to Norton Internet Security 2007, it offers virus protection, a firewall, and phishing protection for Internet Explorer. Features unique to Norton 360 include SONAR which attempts to detect zero-day viruses by monitoring applications for malicious behavior. Norton 360 also intergrates backup and restore capabilities. Two gigabytes of online storage is provided with a purchased subscription, which can only be used by Norton to backup files. Users can purchase up to 25 GB of online storage. Alternatively, Norton can backup files to a hard drive, flash drive, CD, or DVD. PC maintenance tools include tools to remove browsing history and temporary files. It can also defragment disks on a schedule.[12] E-mail spam filtering, parental controls, and advertisement blocking features were not bundled with this release. Instead, the features are available separately in 2007 add-on package.[13]

Reviews were mostly positive, citing Norton 360's lower resource usage, compared to Norton Internet Security 2007.[14][15] On the downside, reviewers noted the lack of settings to change, limiting its appeal to advanced users. CNET noted the lack of phishing protection for Firefox and browsers.

When installed in Windows XP, a 300 Megahertz processor, 256 megabytes of RAM, and 300 MB of hard disk space is required. Under Vista, a 800 MHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 300 MB of hard disk space is required.

Version 2.0

Version 2.0 was released March 3, 2008. It uses the Norton AntiVirus 2008 engine. It comes with new PC maintenance tools including a registry cleaner. The Backup and Restore feature now integrates with Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. In addition, backup and Restore supports having different Norton 360 installations backup to a central location.[16][17]

Version 3.0

Version 3.0 was released March 4, 2009. Version 3.0 uses the Norton AntiVirus 2009 engine.[18] Notable new features include the integration of Norton Safe Web, a web rating service. Safe Web blocks access to malicious sites. Additionally, search results from major search engine, such as Google, are color coded for safet (green for safe site, yellow for possibly unsafe site, red for dangerous sites, and gray with a white question mark for untested sites. [19] The toolbar redirects queries to the Ask.com search engine, however does not share code with the Ask.com toolbar.[20] A startup program manager measures performance impact and allows users to disable startup programs or delay programs. Norton Insight whitelists safe files to cut scanning times. A virtual drive is added to Windows Explorer. It acts as a interface between the user and backup locations.

References

  1. ^ "Norton Add-on Pack 2.1". Softpedia. July 14th, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Norton 360 Now Speeds PC Performance and Extends Online Protection With Norton Safe Web". Microsoft. March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  3. ^ "Symantec Roadmap Includes Massive 'Genesis' Suite". Ben Z. Gottesman. Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. February 2, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  4. ^ "Symantec considering Gdrive alternative". Robert McMillan. The IDG Network. May 12, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  5. ^ "Symantec Names Genesis "Norton 360"". Symantec Corporation. May 31, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  6. ^ "McAfee sends 'Falcon' after Symantec, Microsoft". Joris Evers. CBS Interactive Inc. May 31, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  7. ^ "Symantec challenge to OneCare faces delay". Joris Evers. CBS Interactive Inc. June 01, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Symantec launches beta of new security program". San Jose Business Journal. American City Business Journals, Inc. November 22, 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  9. ^ "Norton 360 to ship next month". Robert McMillan. The IDG Network. February 22, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  10. ^ http://thetechangel.com/blogberry/2009/03/norton-360-version-3-out-now-plus-good-news-for-existing-users/
  11. ^ "Norton Update Center". Retrieved 2009-03-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Symantec unveils SONAR to find zero-day attacks". Robert McMillan. Infoworld, Inc. January 17, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  13. ^ "Norton Internet Security Add-on Pack". Symantec Corporation. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  14. ^ "Norton 360". Robert Vamosi. CBS Interactive Inc. February 26, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  15. ^ "Norton 360". Neil J. Rubenking. Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. March 7, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  16. ^ "Norton 360 version 2.0 Tuned Up Tuneup". PC Magazine. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  17. ^ "Norton 360 version 2.0 Even Better Backup". PC Magazine. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  18. ^ "Symantec Releases Public Beta of Norton 360 Version 3.0". Yahoo! Inc. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  19. ^ "Norton Safe Web, from Symantec". Symantec Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  20. ^ http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Symantec-NASDAQ-SYMC-933853.html

External links

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