Norton 360 Deluxe currently sits in our top three for the best antivirus software after showing outstanding results during our handling, which is backed up by laboratory testing results.

The Deluxe package goes beyond regular antivirus protection, with a parental control app, VPN, password manager, scam protection and cloud backup.

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Where you would usually be paying £89.99, Norton's current sale has 67% off, lowering the first year to £29.99.

Today's top Norton 360 deal

In his full review of the Norton antivirus lineup, our expert security tester Sead Fadilpasic said its 360 Deluxe is "the best general-purpose option", additionally noting that the combination of features makes it a great choice for protecting a household of devices.

The package includes a more than generous 50GB cloud backup for securely storing family photos and important documents, with the included password manager offering a vault to manage your personal and shared credentials, alongside your online payment info.

If you are worried about scammers using texts, deepfake videos or voice changers to impersonate your friends and family, the scam detector can quickly analyse anything out of the ordinary and offers a cornucopia of knowledge to keep you informed of the latest threats and trends.

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This feature level really shows why Norton 360 Deluxe has earned such a high ranking in our testing, and this is the lowest first year pricing we have seen in months. Whether you want to secure your internet traffic while watching the World Cup, or you're looking for a Father's day present for a tech-savvy dad, definitely consider this Norton deal.

• Take a look at our full guide to the best antivirus software

I'm always on the lookout for antivirus that suits all device types, especially for those who are looking to make the most of their device and don't wanted any added bloat in their protection. This deal on Norton Antivirus Plus is exactly that.

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This antivirus deal offers single device protection with a 38% discount - and includes a few extras such as 2GB Cloud Backup and no-frills password manager.

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Today's top Norton Antivirus Plus deal

Norton Antivirus Plus is a non-intrusive, lightweight way to enhance your personal security with its no-frills protection.

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Norton Antivirus Plus is currently £25 for the first year, and auto-renews at the standard price.

• Take a look at our full guide to the best antivirus software

• Norton VPN has added 25 new server locations, bringing its total to more than 130 locations across 90 countries.
• The update introduces a new Manual IP Rotation feature, allowing users to swap their virtual IP address on demand without dropping the connection.
• The new manual IP tools are available right now on Windows and Mac, with iOS and Android support coming soon.

Norton has announced a major upgrade to its VPN service that significantly expands its server network, as well as a new privacy tool that swaps IP addresses on the fly.

Norton VPN's server network now includes over 130 locations across more than 90 countries. This includes 25 brand-new locations across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East — perfect for users looking for a faster connection or looking to bypass geoblocking.

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More locations, more control

Until now, if a site blocked your VPN address, you usually had to disconnect, switch servers, and wait for the connection to come back. Norton's new approach removes that friction entirely.

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Who gets the upgrade?

If you are already subscribed to any Norton VPN plan, the good news is that the 130+ server locations are available across the board right now.

As for the highly anticipated Manual IP Rotation feature, it is currently live for users running Norton VPN for Windows and Mac.

If you primarily use your smartphone or tablet to stay secure on public Wi-Fi, you will have to wait just a little bit longer. Norton has confirmed that support for iOS and Android devices is currently "coming soon."

The World Cup has arrived, with the action now fully underway.

This year's tournament has been expanded to 48 teams, with the USA, Mexico and Canada jointly hosting the competition. That has brought in a host of World Cup debuts including Cape Verde, Haiti and Curaçao.

Of course, the usual powerhouses are also in the mix, with France, Spain, Argentina and England arriving among the tournament favourites.

You can stream every moment on Fox and FS1 in the US with BBC and ITV your go-to in the UK.

Stay up to date with all the latest World Cup news right here on TechRadar, where we'll also show you how to stream every match live — including free viewing options.

Welcome to our World Cup build-up LIVE!

The World Cup is just 10 days away as it all kicks off next Thursday with Mexico vs South Africa.

We'll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news and how you can stream the action for free from anywhere on the globe using Norton VPN.

From the most-prolific player...to the least-prolific player

Friday saw confirmation of the most prolific player's inclusion in the Argentina squad: Lionel Messi.

This will mark the 38-year-old's sixth World Cup, a record he will share with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, and begs the question: will this be the last World Cup featuring both football legends? Sports science is better than it ever was but they're two of the most senior players in a tournament of fresh blood.

And now on to the least-know player: New Zealand defender Tim Payne.

This humble kiwi player was minding his own business before TikTok personality Valen Scarsini, aka 'elscarso', decided to boost the profile of who he deemed the 'least-known' World Cup player. He helped boost Payne's Instagram account from under 5,000 followers to a whopping 3.8 million.

The bemused player put out a post thanking Valen and his fans for the "pretty crazy 48 hours". A reminder: New Zealand is the lowest-ranked team of the whole tournament and has never won a single World Cup game. They are a small nation much more interested in their rugby and Aussie rules football...but if they can beat Iran, Egypt or Belgium they will make history.

For all the breaking news World Cup stories and how to watch it ahead of the tournament on Thursday 11th June, watch this space.

Iran and Iraq announce their squad (or who won’t be in their squad)

One Iranian player that won’t be making the trip to the World Cup is Sardar Azmoun who has been accused of disloyalty to his country’s government.

The crime? Posting a picture of himself with the UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a country with whom Iran has traded blows with. With Iran’s current war with America ongoing, this is the last drama that the squad needs particularly with questions as to whether they’ll be able to enter the country.

Iraq on the other hand announced their squad will include Ipswich’s Ali Al-Hamadi and Manchester United’s Zidane Iqbal. Two big names from the English football league is only good news for Iraq’s chances of qualifying from the group stages, which albeit are slim. Joining them in their group is France, Senegal and Norway…they may be the underdogs but stranger things have happened.

Join us tomorrow for more of the latest World Cup drama in the build up to this epic tournament.

The England squad have landed in Miami

Palm Beach, Miami. Normally a place you'd visit for a relaxed holiday with its vibrant nightlife and scenic delights. However, it's also the location where the England squad landed for their training before the World Cup yesterday.

Although they've escaped the dregs of the British heatwave, the Florida temperature will be no comfort to them. The humidity and tropical storms will be their first big challenge before they've even kicked their first ball, and this will be a recurring theme throughout their games across the country and Mexico as well, maybe less so Canada.

Before their tournament officially kicks off with their first group stage against Croatia on 17th June, they've got a few Florida friendlies to complete. First up is a game against New Zealand on 6th June. The 'All Whites' may be considered the lowest-ranked team in the tournament but they'll be hungry to get a first win against the England squad.

The second and final friendly for England will be against Costa Rica on 10th June. Having just lot a friendly today, 3-1, against the mighty Colombia they will surely be looking for a boost in morale. While on paper these friendlies count for nothing and are certainly favourable teams for England to win against, it'll certainly help the squad get into their rhythm and acclimatise to this unique World Cup across three massive countries.

Follow all the latest updates here.

All 48 squads are CONFIRMED

The players have all been locked in. Today - Tuesday 2nd June - was the deadline for every country's squad which means it's now official.

There were the inevitable shock omission which were met with horror in their respective countries, and that was just Harry Maguire's mum who was horrified he was snubbed from the England squad. However, there's no going back now as all 48 countries have submitted their 26 players - which include three goalkeepers - so bring on the tournament!

There will be inevitable fallout and controversy with a little over a week before the World Cup kicks off so make sure you stay tuned here for the rollercoaster that is international football.

We'll let you know how you can stream the action for free from anywhere around the globe using Norton VPN.

10 out of 10 for Bellingham

The number 10 shirt is a coveted number in football with a long history of greatness. This goes a long way to explaining why Jude Bellingham has been selected to wear it for England.

While he’s not necessarily had the best season recently at Real Madrid, he’s been a reliable player for England and scored plenty of memorable goals for his country. Will this faith that new manager Thomas Tuchel has in him pay off? Only time will tell.

Training is officially underway for the squad and while the majority are getting stuck in, they’re still awaiting the arrival of some. With the European finals overlapping the World Cup training, we’ll soon see the arrival of a handful of Arsenal players (Rice, Saka, Eze and Madueke) and Crystal Palace’s Henderson who will join the squad.

Don’t miss any of the England squad and other important World Cup news, right here updated daily.

It wouldn’t be a World Cup without some squad drama

It’s barely been a day since the official deadline for the World Cup squads to be finalised…and already there’s drama.

Switzerland player Breel Embolo was rejected while attempting to board the squad plane to the World Cup. The forward was charged after an altercation in Basel nearly a decade ago but it was flagged as a criminal conviction as he tried to leave the country. He’s applying for an urgent visa so he can join his squad in San Diego but it remains to see whether he’ll make it.

In other news, Austria are also a man down as Christoph Baumgartner suffered a thigh injury before their friendly to Tunisia. The RB Leipzig will not be replaced - in a fairly bizarre decision - as the loss of such a pivotal player will have repercussions for the rest of the squad.

We’ll keep you up to date with any other breaking news stories from the World Cup as they come in.

The big question: weather the matches will go on?

'Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you.' The irony of these lyrics from Aussie/Kiwi band Crowded House was probably not lost on New Zealand as their first friendly was delayed due to serious weather concerns.

New Zealand and Haiti were meant to play their first friendly yesterday at 8pm local time in Florida, but torrential rain and an electrical storm delayed the match by 36 minutes. Haiti ended up thrashing the Kiwis 4-0 which bodes well for England's friendly against them on Saturday as New Zealand still look for their first World Cup match win.

However, these weather conditions are a mounting concern, particularly with the sheer amount of games scheduled to take place around Florida including England's upcoming matches. According to American thunderstorm protocol, matches will be suspended for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stadium with the clock going back to zero if another strike is detected.

Adding to the political turmoil around Trump's temperamental behaviour, this extreme weather the last thing the World Cup needs with its potential to delay or potentially cancel games going forward.

We'll keep you updated with the latest news as it comes in.

England squad spill the tea on touching down in the States and beyond

England centre-backs assemble!

Fresh blood Dan Burn and veteran John Stones, one of the only remaining players alongside Kane and Rashford from the 2016 squad to still be in the current squad, answer England fans burning questions.

How has it been adjusting to America? What's their 'get hyped' song before matches? Who was their favourite England player growing up?

Find out all the answers and so much more in this exclusive England content from the squad's official YouTube channel as they get ready for their first friendly against New Zealand this Saturday.

Don’t hurry Harry

Ahead of England’s first friendly tomorrow against New Zealand, Sky Sports breaks down the logic of Tuchel bringing three strikers to the World Cup.

He’s never done it before so why? Part of the reason may be to rest the main man Kane who has played a phenomenal amount of hours for his club, more so than before any other international tournament.

Resting him in the muggy heat of the tournament and allowing either strikers to shine may be a tactical move long term but will it work short term?

Watch the video breakdown and check in with our regular updates on this build up to the upcoming friendlies.

Tuchel talks starting XI and much more

England manager Thomas Tuchel has big shoes to fill. Previous manager Gareth Southgate took the England squad to two international finals, a semifinal and a quarterfinal after a long drought of disappointing results for the supposed Golden Generation.

He addresses the pressure, talks his starting XI and everything in between in this press conference ahead of England’s friendly against New Zealand, courtesy of Sky Sports.

Not long until the first England friendly and we’ll bring you the latest on this and a variety of other matches ahead of the World Cup officially beginning on 11 June.

Scotland and England prepare for their friendlies at 9pm

Two big friendlies if you’re based in the UK. England v New Zealand and Scotland v Bolivia, both kicking off at 9pm GMT.

Scottish player Lewis Ferguson talks about how the loss of star player Billy Gilmour has affected the Scotland team ahead of the World Cup.

Find out how to watch the game and more below.

Scotland lead 3-0 against Bolivia

Scotland have wasted no time at all, securing two goals before their first mandatory drinks break and another straight after against Bolivia in this first friendly.

L. Shankland (5')

S. McTominay (23')

C. Adams (30')

England struggle to find a goal against New Zealand

Nearly at halftime and England meanwhile are struggling to give New Zealand anything to worry about.

The lowest-ranked sides should be an easy challenge and there's certainly factors such as acclimatising to heat, not wanting to risk injury and ultimately treating the friendly as a test for which players work well together and where.

Maybe tune in to the Scotland game if you want something exciting to watch though.

Kane scores just before halftime and Scotland reach 4-0

Finally just before the halftime whistle, Kane does what he does best. A lovely header just before he and the rest of the starting XI are rotated so Tuchel can play all the players possible.

Scotland scored four goals in the first half but have not managed to create many opportunities since.

We'll keep you updated with any latest here.

Full time: England 1 - 0 New Zealand, Scotland 4 - 0 Bolivia

A good sign of things to come for the UK - or half of it - as England and Scotland both win their friendlies. Scotland continue their streak of scoring 4 goals, similar to their win against Curaçao, whereas England didn't look quite as convincing.

Obviously they don't count but it's a good opportunity to see how the team is playing, and hopefully Tuchel takes some learnings from what worked and what didn't work.

Plenty more friendlies coming up ahead of the tournament kicking off on Thursday, so keep your eyes peeled here.

Some (not so) friendly results

More friendly results roll in ahead of the World Cup kicking off on Thursday.

Argentina had a comfortable win against Honduras but Messi, the main man, remained on the bench for the whole game. It makes sense to save his energy for the tournament itself and particularly as a veteran preserve his energy.

Elsewhere, Chile lost to Portugal in a scrappy game which saw a red card for both teams. Ronaldo started - joining rival Messi with now a record six World Cup appearances to his name - but let his teammates do the scoring nevertheless winning 2-1. Not a friendly friendly.

Another big result was Belgium's domination over Tunisia with a decisive 5-0 result. Similar to the Portugal v Chile game, we saw a red card take off one of the Tunisian players.

A glimpse behind the scenes of England squad's training

Even though it was a pretty bland game against New Zealand, it was a friendly and a chance for Tuchel to try various combos albeit, that doesn't mean the hard work isn't going on behind the scenes.

Glimpses at Kane smashing in some penalties, some gym goals and a lot of team bonding, check out this video to see what goes on to get the Three Lions ready for the World Cup.

The US team arrive ahead of their first friendly against Germany

One of the three host countries, the United States, touched down before their friendly against Germany at Chicago's stadium, Soldier Field.

The game saw an early lead within the first two minutes as Germany's Havertz slipped one in. United States managed to equalise thanks to Robinson before halftime but Sané managed to get a 2-1 victory at 57 minutes.

While not boding well for the team, the crowd was lively and this bodes well for the rest of the tournament with this team being the strongest of the three host nations. Not great but who knows what the home crows will do for morale.

Keep tuned here for the latest updates.

Trouble for the Iranian team

In a move that everyone in the world saw, the Iranian team have had trouble ahead of their matches in America.

With the current conflict between Iran and America, the US has refused the visas of some World Cup Iranian team support staff. This means that the team has had to train in Mexico's Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego, instead of America's Arizona as was originally planned.

One man who was not happy was Amir Ghalenoei, Iran's coach, who wanted to be there much earlier to adjust to the 12-hour time difference but was forced to train in Turkey instead. There's also a clear directive that the team will now be based in Tijuana during the World Cup even though all their games are based in America which will prove to be a logistical nightmare.

How will this affect Iran's first two matches scheduled to take place in Southern California against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, and then their next game against Egypt in Seattle on on June 26? Only time will tell.

Follow us for the latest here.

Is Kane England’s one man team?

Perhaps the only podcast you need to get all your football needs, particularly with this World Cup approaching is The Rest is Football.

Gary, Alan and Micah - all ex-footballers bringing their perspective from the pitch - break down each of the high ranking teams this episode and ask some important questions ahead of the tournament.

Is Kane carrying the whole of the England team? Who was better Maradona or Messi? And who do they reckon is taking home the trophy this year?

Watch this latest episode and stay tuned here as we enter the week of the World Cup!

FIFA new rules - is more VAR a good thing?

Sky Sports gives a detailed breakdown of all the new FIFA rules that will be implemented this World Cup.

Do you think these make sense? Are they ridiculous? Will there be outrage at some point in the tournament?

Regardless, they’re sure to get a reaction from fans.

A flashback to last World Cup Final…

We’ve spent a lot of time looking ahead but, courtesy of BBC Sport, let’s look back to perhaps the greatest World Cup Final ever: 2022.

With England going out to France in the quarterfinals, the team led by Mbappé took on Argentina in an instantly iconic showdown. So many twists as the two great footballing nations took it turns to take the lead with incredible last minute equalisers.

The result? A nail biting penalty shootout leading to Messi lifting the trophy. Thrilling in a way which usually finals fail to be, will we see another sensational game like this? Only time will tell.

Only two days until the World Cup kicks off, don’t go anywhere!

FIFA portraits released

Take a look at some of the FIFA official pictures released from the South Korea, Brazil, Scotland and Netherlands team...

BBC Pundits weigh in on who will win the World Cup

Everyone has an opinion about football. And that includes these BBC pundits and ex-footballers who weigh in on who they think is taking home the World Cup trophy this year...

Messi, Modric and Mexico

Within minutes of entering the Argentina v Iceland friendly, Messi scored a penalty which saw a 3-0 victory for his home country. The doubters as to if the iconic player was match fit were silenced...for now. The big question: will he be able to get his team to a successive World Cup final this year?

Another regular at the World Cup, making his fifth appearance and only one behind Messi and Ronaldo, Croatia's Modric is preparing to take on England ahead of both nation's first game of the tournament. Having beaten England to make it the 2018 World Cup final but having lost to England in the Euro 2020 group stage, it's anyone's guess who will win.

Mexico is preparing to be on the world stage in a little over 24 hours as it hosts the first game: Mexico v South Africa at 8pm GMT. The festivities - the first of three exhausting Opening Ceremonies - will kick off 90 minutes before the game and promises to be a showstopper.

We'll let you know more updates as they come in ahead of the action tomorrow.

24 hours until the World Cup Opening Ceremony!

It’s official: there’s 24 hours until the World Cup opening ceremony…well part one of three.

Mexico v South Africa will see one of the three hosting nations (Mexico, not South Africa) kick off the biggest football event in the world.

Find out how to watch it and what time it’ll happen where you are in our info section below.

England game delayed by two hours due to weather

Originally meant to kick off at 8pm BST, the England game against Costa Rica will be delayed till 10pm BST due to torrential rain in Florida.

England fans may be shocked by just how violent the weather is even by English standards but they’ve been given the all clear for the agreed time…now the pitch is no longer a swimming pool.

We’ll keep you updated here with the latest.

Welcome to World Cup Opening Day!

Hello everyone and welcome to the kick off day of the World Cup!

We'll be updating you throughout the day as the excitement builds ahead of the Mexico v South Africa game at 8pm BST, and the opening ceremony at 6.30pm BST available on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.

Check in our main info section to see how to watch it where you are...

South Africa and Mexico fans gather outside the stadium

The atmosphere around Mexico City's stadium ahead of kick off later as Mexico take on South Africa.

Not necessarily two nations renowned for their footballing prowess - Mexico's best result was reaching the quarterfinals in 1986 and South Africa have never moved past group stages - it'll be more about the spectacle than anything.

Join us for the latest throughout the day right here.

Tuchel on England's 3-0 victory: "I wished for that"

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, has faced a lot of questions after the New Zealand friendly but he's proven himself with the decisive Costa Rica win.

“I wished for that, I demanded that; I said before the match we want to push it to the next level, from intensity, commitment, cohesion, and we did that,”

Things can only get better, right?

Another major visa rejection

Ahead of the World Cup kicking off, FIFA president Gianni Infantino held a press conference last night…but it did little to reassure and readdress some rather big issues.

Infantino’s reaction to Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the US? To tell people to 'chill and relax'. Hardly great advice and with the Iran games around the corner we can probably expect plenty more drama around the corner…

Keep tuned here for the latest.

5 hours until kick off!

We’re counting down till the biggest football tournament in the world kicks off in Mexico…and just 5 hours to go.

Will it be a dud of a game? Will it be delayed due to weather? Will Mexico fans bring the atmosphere?

Find out more soon!

South Africa train ahead of their game

Check out the South African squad getting some training in before they kick off the tournament later…

Kane speaks ahead of the World Cup

England’s captain and strongest player (arguably in the world) has given an interview ahead of the World Cup.

He talks pressure, leadership and bringing England into his third World Cup.

Give it a watch ahead of the first match.

Two hours until the Opening Ceremony!

Wherever you are in the world you have two hours to prepare for the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable, hopefully for the right reasons, World Cup.

That means kicking off with the first of three Opening Ceremonies with Mexico having the honours of kicking it off. Canada and America will have theirs next, one after the other but it all begins in Mexico City today.

Stay tuned for the latest updates as we get them.

Tuchel angers the tabloids by saying England isn’t one of the favourites

"We can't be one of the favourites as we haven't won it for so long. There are proven winners within the tournament."

This is the quote that a lot of the clickbait media - not this fine establishment but I guess we’re talking about it now - honed in on.

England manager Thomas Tuchel correctly identified that we haven’t won anything for 60 years but they don’t call it the impossible job for anything because it was immediately pounced on by some sections of the ‘press’.

Surely the important thing is if he takes England to a win, not if they were favourites to win it in the first place. He also stated that he wants to focus on the group stages and will only think about winning the whole thing once they get to the quarterfinals. Sensible but you can’t win ‘em all.

Stay tuned for more here as we have less than 3 hours before the World Cup kicks off.

The weekend of football ahead

Get ready for more World Cup games than we’ve ever seen before, starting this weekend…

After Mexico’s game tonight, we’ve got South Korea v Czech Republic and Canada v Bosnia following tonight/tomorrow depending on your timezone.

The following day we have Qatar v Switzerland, Brazil v Morocco and then the final host country United States v Paraguay.

The final stretch of the weekend will give us Haiti v Scotland, Australia v Turkey, Germany v Curaçao and Netherlands v Japan.

Exhausted? You will be!

The opening ceremony starts now!

Alright folks, get ready for the opening ceremony now!

Gold, a massive World Cup trophy and outfits galore!

Wow!

Mexico brought its A-game to the Opening Ceremony so far. There’s been a lot of gold, a massive World Cup trophy erected and outfits galore!

We’ve got just over an hour left of the ceremony and until the Mexico v South Africa game gets in full swing!

Stay here for more updates as they happen…

Shakira + Burna Boy = Banger

Well, we’ve now been treated to the official World Cup song thanks to Shakira and Burna Boy with ‘Let’s Go’.

Undoubtedly a catchy ditty, but it’s no Waka Waka - Shakira’s iconic number from South Africa’s 2010 World Cup. It’s a nice bridge that Shakira has penned songs for both World Cups and now the two nations are playing each other. Probably a coincidence.

Anyway, the match is less than an hour away!

A preview before the match begins

FIFA have prepared a handy guide to everything you need to know about the Mexico v South Africa game before it begins…

Both teams enter for warm up

Cheers as the Mexico squad arrive on the pitch for a pre-match warmup…boos as the South Africa squad enter.

You sense that the home crowd will be extremely vocal so we should have some great energy for the game.

15 mins until kick off!

Grab yourself a drink and get ready for Mexico’s first game and the first game of the tournament!

Find out how to watch it where you are on our main page here.

Kick off!

The moment you’ve been waiting for!

Thanks for joining our coverage and enjoy what promises to be an unforgettable World Cup!

Next Game - Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Our next game is Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, kicking off at 3pm ET / 8pm BST.

You can stream on BBC in the UK and SBS On Demand in Australia.

Today's games: USA vs Australia, Scotland vs Morocco, and more

Hey folks, freelance contributor Jamie here — I'll be taking over this World Cup 2026 live blog from now on, bringing you the latest updates.

To get the ball rolling (get it?), here's a quick schedule of today's fixtures, as teams continue to vie for a place in the first knockout round:

Times in EDT / BST
▶︎ 3pm/8pm – USA vs Australia | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
▶︎ 6pm/11pm – Scotland vs Morocco | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
▶︎ 9pm/2am (Sat) – Brazil vs Haiti | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
▶︎ 12am/5am (Sat) – Turkey vs Paraguay | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player

Gary Lineker returns!

According to The Independent, ITV has announced that Gary Lineker will appear as a pundit for its coverage of Germany vs Ivory Coast on 20 June (that's tomorrow at the time of writing).

The iconic British pundit has covered the World Cup via Netflix's The Rest is Football video podcast, but this will mark Lineker's return to mainstream UK TV punditry following his departure from the BBC in 2025.

Today's games: Germany vs Ivory Coast, Netherlands vs Sweden, and more

Morning folks! It's the weekend, the sun is shining, and we've got four more World Cup fixtures to look forward to today:

Times in EDT / BST

▶︎ 1pm / 6pm - Netherlands vs Sweden

▶︎ 4pm / 9pm - Germany vs Ivory Coast

▶︎ 8pm / 1am (Sun) - Ecuador vs Curaçao

▶︎ 12am / 5am (Sun) - Tunisia vs Japan.

Head to our guide on how to watch the World Cup from anywhere to tune in.

Shearer: "Kane is different at this World Cup"

In an op-ed for BBC Sport, ex-England striker Alan Shearer has shown his support for current captain Harry Kane, saying the 32-year-old is "fitter and stronger" than previous tournaments.

The comments come after a strong start for Kane at this year's World Cup; the striker scored twice in England's face-off with Croatia.

Day of the Dutch

Netherlands have beat Sweden 5-1 in their fixture, ahead of the (currently ongoing) match between Germany and Ivory Coast.

Netherlands now sits at the top of the Group F rankings.

Today's games: Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Belgium vs Iran, and more

Good morning football fans - we've got four more fixtures to look forward to today. Plenty of eyes will be on 2010 champions Spain in their match against Saudi Arabia, but at the time of writing, all eight teams are drawn at one point in the standings. It's all to play for.

Be sure to keep an eye on our guide to today's World Cup matches for a daily update.

Spain avoids pain

Spain has won its fixture against Saudi Arabia four-nil, with the European former champs "easily" beating their opponents, according to Al Jazeera.

The game also saw Lamine Yamal's first goal of the tournament just 10 minutes into the match.

Belgium and Iran draw 0-0

Iran has managed to stave off Belgium with a nil-nil draw, the third in Group G thus far.

Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the second half after fouling Iran's Mehdi Taremi, ESPN reports.

Today's games: Argentina vs Austria, France vs Iraq, and more

Morning folks - here in the UK we're all excited for England's next match against Ghana tomorrow, but before then we've got four great matches that take us across the globe to South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Here are today's fixtures:

Salah: Egypt's first World Cup win a 'great achievement'

New Zealand were roundly defeated by Egypt on June 21 in the North African team's first ever World Cup win.

Speaking to the BBC, Egypt captain and former Liverpool star Mo Salah called the match a 'great achievement'. Egypt now leads Group G with four points.

The Three Lions are waking...

Tomorrow sees England play Ghana. The two nations currently jointly lead Group L with three points. I'm sure both teams will be looking to turn L into a W...

England and Ghana have only met once before in high-level football, at a friendly in 2011. Tomorrow's match marks the first time the teams have faced off in high-level competition.

Today's games: England vs Ghana, Portugal vs Uzbekistan, and more

Howdy, football fans. It's a big one for us here at TechRadar today, as England is set to go head to head with Ghana. We've also got matches between Portugal and Uzbekistan, Panama and Croatia, and Colombia and DR Congo to look forward to. Be sure to check out our guide to the World Cup listings for details.

England could start without Saka

As the Independent reports, England manager Thomas Tuchel faces a bit of a dilemma when it comes to deciding on the starting squad for tonight's fixture against Ghana.

Winger and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is still contending with an Achilles' tendon injury, which is likely to keep him off the pitch at kickoff.

And we're off! To a slow start

30 minutes in and no goals yet. Still, the pubs are rammed with England fans hoping for a win. Let's hope the squad brings their best!

Am uneventful first half

No joy for England or Ghana at half time - the score stands still at nil-nil.

If you're watching along but struggling to keep up with the action, it could be time for a TV upgrade. Luckily, we've rounded up the best Best Buy TV deals we could find as the American retailer tries to counter Amazon's Prime Day sale. Check it out here.

If you are looking for an antivirus software package that you can pay for using the change between the seats on your sofa, you've come to the right place. Right now, Norton 360 Standard has dropped to £25 (was £70) from Norton for your first year.

• See all Norton 360 deals

This antivirus package can protect three devices against malware, ransomware, and hacking - and even includes cloud backup, a VPN, and a password manager.

As always, Norton has included it's hallmark Scam Protection to spot scams hidden in messages and deepfake videos, with an AI Genie to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Alongside the Standard edition, you can save on annual prices for Plus and Deluxe versions.

Today's top Norton 360 deal

Norton 360 Standard offers layers to your personal security with its array of features to protect against modern threats.

We have regularly tested and reviewed Norton's antivirus protection, and it consistently ranks in our top three picks for the best antivirus software. But if that isn't enough to convince you, consult the latest testing from AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST, where it has scored top marks.

Outside of the antivirus protection, Norton 360 Standard also helps protect your browsing when connected to public Wi-Fi networks by securing your internet traffic with a VPN. This stops hackers from intercepting your sensitive data while it travels across the web.

Outside of ransomware, your important files, photos, and videos can be lost to device failure or memory corruption. The included 10GB of cloud backup ensures you always have a second copy of your treasured memories and important documents.

Threat actors are increasingly using AI tools to craft highly convincing phishing emails and scams that can convince even the most wary of internet users. To give you the upper hand, Norton's Scam Detection comes equipped with AI to spot the hidden patterns and techniques inside complex online scams.

Covering three devices for only £25, this Norton 360 Standard deal offers peace of mind for a full year before auto-renewing at the standard price.

• Take a look at our full guide to the best antivirus software

Norton VPN bills itself as the VPN for beginners. If you're familiar with its products, or its name, at least, then it's a pretty good choice for your online privacy.

It's also a particularly good time to sign up to Norton VPN because TechRadar is giving away a $30 Amazon gift card to anyone who signs up to one of the 2-year plans right now. So, instead of paying $59.99, you'll effectively only spend $29.99.

More importantly, it's also a good VPN and, like we say, very easy to use. Just read the chart-topping 4.7/5 Trustpilot reviews, if you don't believe us. Sign in, hit the big yellow 'Connect' button, and you're away.

If you're installing it for a parent, then head to the little settings cog in the corner and you'll find the Auto Connect toggle at the very top. Enable that and you can be certain that the VPN will fire up each time they turn their device on.

You can even select it to Auto Connect depending on what network their connected to if you like. You might want to hold off on enabling the kill switch, though, unless you don't mind fielding a few phone calls on why they can't access they internet. There's really nothing else to it.

How to claim your Amazon gift card reward

This gift card deal is something we've laid on at TechRadar. You won't find it anywhere else – only Future Publishing sites.

It's available on sign-up to all two-year Norton VPN tiers, Standard, Plus and Ultimate.

To get the deal, click on the 'Get Reward' button above. Type your email into the box that pops up and follow the instructions sent to you.

Norton VPN comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. So, if you're not happy with the service that you get, it's easy enough to change your mind at no cost. It's simple to do. We've tried it ourselves.

Just bear in mind that you won't get the $30 gift card until after the 60 days expires. The only thing to figure out then is what you buy on Amazon and whether it's for you or your mother...

TechRadar readers are in luck. We've put together a Norton VPN deal just for you. Buy a two-year Norton VPN subscription and we'll throw in an $30 Amazon gift card.

Norton VPN plans start at $59.99. That's cheaper than VPN heavyweights NordVPN, Proton, and ExpressVPN. What's more, add in the bonus of the Amazon gift card and you're effectively getting two years of VPN service at half-price.

And don't be mistaken: despite the price Norton VPN is still a great performer. It's one of the fastest-improving and fastest-performing VPNs of 2026. It recorded speeds over 1000 Mbps over WireGuard in our latest lab testing. That puts it on par with Surfshark (1021 Mbps), and beating ExpressVPN's basic WireGuard (967 Mbps).

Norton VPN has also rapidly improved its server network. It now has over 116 server locations across 74 countries — a similar size to some well-known VPNs such as Windscribe – despite having under 30 locations less than two years ago.

How to claim your Norton VPN deal

This gift card deal is something we've laid on at TechRadar. You won't find it anywhere else, only Future Publishing sites.

It's available on sign-up to all two-year Norton VPN tiers, Standard, Plus and Ultimate.

To get the deal, click on the 'Get Reward' button above. Type your email into the box that pops up and follow the instructions sent to you.

Norton VPN comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. So, if you're not happy with the service that you get, it's easy enough to change your mind at no cost. It's simple to do. We've tried it ourselves.

We rate Norton VPN as 4/5 and it's a great option at this price. But, if money is no option and you really want the best VPN, then take a look at the prices just below.

• Most smartphone users rely on built-in security without additional protection
• Paid antivirus adoption on mobile devices continues to decline steadily
• A significant share of users remains unprotected or unaware of safeguards

Most Americans now use their smartphones more than their computers, but very few spend money to protect those phones from hackers, new research has claimed.

A Cybernews report surveyed over 1,000 American adults, and found only 18% of mobile phone users pay for third-party antivirus software.

Built-in tools like Microsoft Defender and Apple's XProtect have become the default choice for most people, while McAfee and Norton lead the paid market for the second year in a row.

Smartphone owners are skipping extra security protections

Most consumers believe the security features already built into their phones are sufficient for daily use, and see little reason to spend extra money on something they think they already own for free.

Roughly 14% of mobile users say they have no cybersecurity tools installed at all on their devices. Another 16% cannot even name what protections they currently have in place.

On desktop computers, the situation looks very different, with far fewer unprotected machines and much wider adoption of third-party security tools.

Windows Defender and Apple's native security features now serve as the primary defense for 53% of computer users and 51% of mobile users.

Most people choose these free options because they trust the operating system vendor to provide adequate baseline protection.

Paid antivirus adoption on computers has actually grown by 2% since last year, reaching 41% of users.

On mobile devices, however, third-party antivirus usage has dropped by roughly 10% over the same period, falling from 28% to just 18%.

Mobile users face growing risks

Ransomware attacks targeting smartphones are still less common than those aimed at computers, but the threat landscape is shifting rapidly.

Users who depend solely on the free security tools that came with their phones may be underestimating what modern cybercriminals can do.

Paid subscriptions have gained ground over free alternatives, yet the majority of mobile owners still avoid spending money on dedicated protection.

Cybercrime exposure does influence some users to change their habits, but personal experience is not the main driver of adoption for most people.

Many users employ layered security approach, combining antivirus with VPNs and password managers.

However, the data shows that a large segment of mobile users remain either unprotected or unsure about what safeguards they have.

Established brands like McAfee and Norton continue to benefit from user trust, while lesser-known products struggle to gain acceptance even when their features are comparable.

• Norton has updated its Neo browser with an adaptive, built-in VPN
• It adds proactive anti-phishing and advanced anti-fingerprinting
• The features run quietly in the background by default

Norton has rolled out a major update to its AI-native browser, Norton Neo, embedding a suite of powerful security tools directly into the browsing experience.

With a new built-in adaptive VPN, proactive anti-phishing defenses, and robust anti-fingerprinting features, users no longer need to rely on third-party extensions or complicated setups to stay safe online — Norton Neo handles your privacy seamlessly in the background.

The update arrives at a critical time for web security. According to Gen Threat Labs — Gen Digital is Norton's parent company — roughly 83% of attacks blocked in early 2026 were web-based, heavily driven by phishing and spam ads.

"People can get a lot done on a browser, but digital threats, including spam and phishing, are rampant. Every AI feature added to a browser is another attack surface, and people shouldn't need to be security experts to feel safe online," said Howie Xu, Chief AI and Innovation Officer at Gen.

By baking protection directly into the browser's architecture, Norton aims to secure users who want the productivity benefits of AI without the added attack surface.

Intelligent protection without the friction

As AI tools become a daily staple, they also introduce new vulnerabilities. Norton Neo is tackling this head-on by addressing threats at the browser level.

Powered by the recently launched Norton VPN for Agents — Norton VPN's AI-native app — the browser's built-in VPN intelligently adapts to your activity, stepping up encryption for sensitive tasks like online banking, while scaling back for casual browsing. This, without requiring users to turn the VPN on or off.

Phishing protection is also a big part of the update. Now, the browser actively detects and blocks malicious websites before you ever land on them, while Norton's Scam Analyzer extends that defense to your webmail.

Crucially, Norton Neo is also defending against a rising AI-specific threat: indirect prompt injections. The browser acts as a shield, preventing its AI features from being hijacked by hidden, malicious instructions buried within web page content.

As Xu explains: "With Norton Neo, protection isn't a setting you turn on; it's the foundation. The VPN adapts on its own, phishing is caught before you click, and your AI queries can't be turned against you."

On the privacy front, Norton Neo delivers true anonymity with advanced anti-fingerprinting tech. Instead of relying purely on cookie blocking, the browser randomizes your device's hidden signals, like screen size and installed fonts, preventing sites from building a persistent profile on you.

Coupled with granular ad-blocking controls and streamlined cookie consent, the browser aims to cut down on annoying banners while keeping you firmly in control.

An AI assistant you can trust

Norton Neo's AI capabilities have also been upgraded to support deeper reasoning and complex tasks. To ensure your data remains yours, all chats are stored locally by default.

Norton enforces a strict zero-retention policy with its AI providers, meaning your queries are never used for model training, and your IP address remains completely hidden.

Available across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, Norton Neo offers a consistent, private experience across all your devices. The latest update also grants users early access to a new agentic AI assistant, a private, always-on helper designed to manage your online activities securely.

VPN Super Unlimited Proxy has shot to 2nd in Australia's iOS free app download charts in the wake of Australia's new age verification measures. However, our initial checks reveal several concerning traits. Most notably, its privacy policy explicitly refers to selling user data.

Australia's new measures require residents to verify their age when accessing adult content. The move saw VPN Super Unlimited Proxy rise to 4th in the iOS App Store rankings, before rising to second throughout yesterday (March 9). Regardless of its popularity, though, our findings suggest it shouldn't be trusted.

Looking into its Android app, especially, we found the provider requests access to 40 permissions, roughly double the number you'd see from a VPN you can wholly trust. What's more, it includes 28 trackers, whereas the best VPNs will often ask for fewer than 10.

If you live in Australia and want a cheap, beginner-friendly, and trustworthy VPN, I recommend Norton VPN. For AU$70, you can get access to Norton VPN's Plus plan.

This gives you VPN protection, antivirus, scam protection, password management, cloud storage, and dark web alerts — everything you need to make sure any data submitted for age verification doesn't end up in the wrong hands.

Norton VPN offers three physical server locations in Australia — Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. While this is fewer than ExpressVPN (6), Surfshark (5), and NordVPN (5), it's cheaper than NordVPN, the best Australia VPN overall, and offers a much simpler user experience.

It's also worth checking out Surfshark's Basic plan. Starting from just over AU$75, you'll get a slightly superior experience compared with Norton.

Surfshark is the fastest VPN we've tested and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

However, Norton's antivirus capabilities are stronger than Surfshark's.

While Surfshark's Antivirus performs admirably among VPNs, Norton has long been considered a top antivirus, before any of its systems were included in a VPN.

This means, should you need to verify your age using means you're unsure of, you'll have tools you can rely on to keep your data safe.

Two years ago, I got my first taste of the Six Nations watching Wales fall to France at the Principality Stadium. But this year I'm potentially missing the Six Nations 2026 entirely.

Fortunately, Norton VPN is currently on offer. Two-year plans start at $2.49 per month, paid upfront as $59.76 for the Standard plan, while the Plus and Ultimate plans now cost $83.76 and $107.76, respectively.

With a VPN, you're able to securely connect to servers in your home country wherever you are. So, if you're traveling, you can connect back home and watch all your favorite shows on your usual subscriptions. For me, that means catching up on the Six Nations with BBC iPlayer seamlessly.

Norton VPN recently got a bunch of improvements. Its speeds are similar to the very fastest VPNs, it's got super-simple apps, and it unblocks content as well as many of the best streaming VPNs. What's more, our exclusive TechRadar deal means you get more simultaneous connections than ever: 10 for Standard and Plus plans, and 20 on Ultimate.

While Norton VPN isn't ranked among the best VPNs quite yet, a Standard plan is cheaper than most of the best providers, particularly since ExpressVPN's deal has now ended. You'll hardly notice the performance difference, but if you're keen on getting the very best, then definitely check out NordVPN.

Norton also comes with a huge 60-day money-back guarantee. This is double what you get from top VPNs such as Surfshark or Proton VPN.

Although Norton VPN isn't quite breaking into our top 5 VPNs yet, it's getting close. It's also currently around 50 cents a month cheaper than the likes of Proton and NordVPN, though Surfshark remains the best cheap VPN.

If you're new to VPNs and are unlikely to push it to its limits, you'll rarely notice the difference, though ExpressVPN and NordVPN are faster if you're focused on performance.

What Norton does bring is potential. The rate at which the provider is adding features and improving its performance is unmatched. So, by signing up now, you could be getting a bargain deal on a VPN that's surpassing the very best in a matter of months.

Norton VPN is taking the next steps to challenge the best VPNs with its latest addition – two-year plans.

While a longer subscription term isn't a shiny new feature or an earth-shattering security breakthrough, it does mean you can now get Norton VPN for its lowest-ever monthly price.

Alongside this, Norton has finally fixed what I believe is one of its biggest issues: device limits.

Previously, you were stuck with either one or five devices, depending on the plan. In a massive improvement, Norton Basic and Plus plans now cover up to 10 devices, while the Ultimate plan covers 20.

These improvements are great to see from a VPN that's looking to challenge the best. What's more, for a limited time, TechRadar readers get exclusive pricing on all Norton VPN two-year plans.

Previously, Norton VPN plans started at $39.99 for the first year (roughly $3.33 per month), with Plus plans costing $49.99 ($4.17 per month) and Ultimate setting you back $59.99 (around $5 per month).

Norton's exclusive pricing for TechRadar means you can now pick up a 2-year Plus plan for $83.76 ($3.49 per month) or an Ultimate plan for $107.76 ($4.49 per month). If you're after a Norton VPN Basic plan, these now start from $2.49 per month but, as expected, offer fewer additional features.

If you're unsure whether Norton VPN is right for you, that's understandable. Having reviewed Norton VPN late last year, there are several reasons why you might pick it over the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN, such as:

• Simplicity: Very few VPNs offer a greater level of simplicity. Norton's apps don't overload you with buttons, key settings are well explained, and you can quickly access support if something goes wrong. All of which is great if you're new to VPNs or setting one up for a relative who may not understand more complex settings.
• Stealth: Much like other VPNs such as NordVPN and Proton, Norton offers its own, proprietary, obfuscated protocol, Mimic. Mimic is a good addition to have when traveling to countries such as China or Russia where accessing certain information online is restricted.
• A huge testing window: Most VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee or a 7-day free trial for mobile devices. Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, the longest of any top provider, and a 7-day free trial. This means you can ensure you're truly happy with the product before committing.

What if Norton VPN isn't for me?

Norton VPN isn't quite perfect yet, so it may not be right for you. If you're after a more seamless streaming experience, I'd still recommend NordVPN. Alternatively, if you're on a budget, Surfshark remains a cheaper option. Proton VPN, on the other hand, is a better choice if you're after a complete set of online tools to protect you while you work.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a great VPN connection, Norton's new deal puts it among the top choices. Starting from $2.49 per month, it's in the same bracket as Surfshark ($1.99 per month) PIA ($2.03 per month), and cheaper than NordVPN ($3.39 per month) or Proton VPN ($3.59 per month).

The VPN industry faced significant challenges in 2025, navigating age verification, AI and increasing internet censorship. According to Himmat Bains, Product Lead for Norton VPN, it was a “turning point where online privacy shifted from a niche concern to a mainstream expectation.

With that in mind, I spoke to NordVPN, Proton VPN and Norton VPN to find out the biggest events of the past 12 months and to hear what they’re excited about in 2026.

The rise (and risk) of AI

AI may have become a staple of everyday life for many, but it’s not without its risks. “There is growing concern about large language models (LLMs) being hacked or used in large-scale cyberattacks,” said Marijus Briedis, NordVPN Chief Technical Officer.

He warned that criminals are now using “AI to create convincing impersonations of customers or employees, making scams more difficult to detect.”

To counter this worrying trend, NordVPN added a scam email checking tool to its Threat Protection Pro feature in 2025, alongside new crypto wallet address checking, hijacked session alerts, and adult site blocking. It also launched its new call protection service, providing another layer of protection against scam phone calls.

Norton VPN is also tackling AI scams as part of its quest to challenge the very best VPNs – a sign of how big this issue could become in 2026.

Mike Healey, Norton VPN’s Comms Lead, said that around 90% of the threats they detect are scams, so the company is focusing on developing the tools necessary to help people stay protected.

Despite these renewed efforts, expect AI to continue to pose a threat to people’s privacy in the coming months – from AI-enabled scams, to LLM-enabled cyberattacks.

The spread of age verification measures

Online age verification measures became nearly as commonplace as AI in 2025, as countries scrambled to protect children from accessing harmful content.

However, critics warn that this approach may have a negative impact on people’s privacy. As NordVPN’s Briedis explains, “these laws are very fragmented and in some cases, force customers to disclose sensitive personal information to third-party processors.”

“The effects of these developments are not yet clear for minors and adults alike, and we sincerely hope it won’t turn out to become a cybersecurity or privacy disaster,” Bredis added.

The biggest risk stems from potential data breaches. Surfshark data shows that in the third quarter of 2025 alone, 90 million accounts were subject to a data breach, or roughly 700 accounts per minute.

If companies involved in age verification were affected by similar breaches, the exposure of sensitive data could be catastrophic.

Age verification is far more difficult for VPNs to tackle since it’s a legislative issue, rather than mere technology. That said, continuous improvements to protocols and server networks ensure that no matter where age verification next appears, users will have a secure tunnel they can use throughout the process, even if VPNs aren’t able to circumvent it entirely.

The lingering threat of internet censorship

While VPNs can’t always help people bypass age verification measures, they remain a vital tool in bypassing internet censorship. With internet freedoms declining for the 15th straight year according to Freedom House, they’ve never been more important.

David Peterson, General Manager of Proton VPN said there is a “growing threat from both authoritarian regimes and regulatory overreach in open societies,” pointing to the dramatic internet shutdowns and social media restrictions seen during elections in the past 12 months.

While VPNs cannot help with full-scale internet blackouts, they are an effective means of accessing social media and blocked websites when more targeted restrictions are enforced.

Proton VPN focused on building tools capable of overcoming internet censorship throughout 2025. It doubled the number of servers available on its free service to improve speeds and reliability, while its paid service benefited from greater feature parity across platforms, including improvements to its NetShield threat protection system and support for split tunneling and port forwarding.

Looking ahead

While age verification, AI and internet censorship aren’t going away, the VPN industry is preparing for significant changes in the next 12 months.

Proton VPN is rolling out a new in-house architecture that promises to deliver better speeds and enhanced anti-censorship capabilities. According to Peterson, this update is also a major step toward "post-quantum encryption to future-proof user privacy."

Meanwhile, Norton VPN is focusing on becoming "the best all-around VPN for the masses” according to Bains. It will bring the WireGuard protocol to Apple platforms in early 2026, alongside other UI developments to cement its status as an accessible option.

NordVPN is taking a different approach by expanding its threat protection tools. It is also currently investigating the use of AI and LLMs to help people identify fake content online.

“We will continue to move from just securing your connection to protecting users from a wide range of online threats, including hijacked sessions on the dark web and advanced scam attempts,” Briedis explained.

However, as VPN providers shift their focus from straightforward connection security to AI-based threat detection and enhanced anti-censorship tools, users will be better equipped than ever to navigate the modern web.

Norton’s VPN strategy in 2025 reflects a shifting security landscape, where consumer expectations, regulatory pressures, and technological change are converging at unprecedented speed.

According to Himmat Bains, Product Lead for Norton VPN, 2025 was the year "online privacy shifted from a niche concern to a mainstream expectation."

While the VPN industry often focuses on enthusiasts, Norton has had to adapt to a broader, more volatile digital environment. The rapid spread of Generative AI has fundamentally changed the nature of online threats, while governments and ISPs have become more aggressive regarding data access.

Let’s look back on Norton’s progress over the last year to see how the antivirus giant is positioning its VPN to meet these modern challenges, and what its roadmap looks like for 2026.

Major performance upgrades

For years, VPNs bundled with antivirus suites have struggled to compete with standalone providers on pure speed. In 2025, Norton tackled this disparity with significant infrastructure investments.

"In 2025, we significantly boosted our performance and infrastructure," Bains said. This wasn't just a minor patch; it involved a physical overhaul of their server network to support high-throughput connections.

Specifically, Norton introduced "25 Gbps servers in major cities like New York, London, and Tokyo." For the end user, this upgrade is critical. As streaming quality increases and internet speeds rise, the VPN layer can often become a bottleneck. By deploying higher capacity servers in these high-traffic hubs, Norton is aiming to offer "faster connection speeds" that rival the dedicated competition.

Strengthening privacy

Trust is the currency of the VPN market, and 2025 saw Norton push for transparency to validate its privacy claims. The company moved to verify its architecture through third-party scrutiny, a standard practice among top-tier providers that Norton has now fully embraced.

"We pushed incredibly hard on ensuring that our commitment to privacy is the best it can be with two independent audits," Bains explained.

The audits covered two distinct areas: the company's backend infrastructure and its proprietary Mimic Protocol. While many providers use off-the-shelf protocols like WireGuard, those using proprietary technology bear a higher burden of proof to demonstrate security. These audits, combined with an "updated data collection policy," represent a concerted effort to offer customers what Bains calls "a top tier privacy stance."

A changing digital landscape

Norton’s strategy in 2025 was heavily influenced by external forces. According to Bains, the "rapid spread of generative AI fundamentally changed the threat landscape."

The rise of AI has made "impersonation, phishing, and data misuse more scalable and harder to detect," creating a hostile environment for the average user. Simultaneously, the regulatory landscape has fractured. Bains noted that while some regions pushed for "stricter age-verification," others expanded "online censorship and surveillance."

Furthermore, the commercialization of user data by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) has become more brazen. "ISPs and platforms became more explicit about monetizing user data and metadata," Bains observed.

These factors combined have pushed VPN usage away from being a tool for tech-savvy hobbyists and toward a "form of basic digital hygiene." The focus for Norton has shifted to providing "default, always-on privacy protection" to counter these pervasive threats.

Where next in 2026?

Looking ahead, Norton is focused on platform parity and ease of use. The immediate goal for early 2026 is to bring the industry-standard WireGuard protocol to Apple devices.

"We are excited about bringing WireGuard to Apple platforms in the first few weeks of the year," Bains revealed. This update is expected to provide significant "speed and performance improvements" for macOS and iOS users, who have previously relied on other protocols.

Beyond protocols, the roadmap points toward a continued refinement of the user experience. Bains emphasized a mission to build the "best all around VPN for the masses," with further UI enhancements planned throughout the year.

What does the future hold?

Norton VPN closes 2025 having made substantial strides in infrastructure and trust. By upgrading to 25Gbps servers and subjecting its proprietary Mimic protocol to independent auditing, it has addressed the two biggest criticisms often leveled at bundled VPNs: speed and transparency.

As we move into 2026, the integration of WireGuard on Apple platforms will be a key test of its ability to deliver a seamless, high-performance experience across all devices. If Norton can combine this technical performance with its mass-market accessibility, it is well-positioned to serve a public that now views privacy not as a luxury, but as a necessity.

Another year has drawn to a close, and at the top of our best VPN rankings, the usual big dogs continue to dominate. Still, that's par for the course in a market where reliability and trust tend to win out.

Beyond the usual suspects, however, 2025 produced a run of smaller but telling changes from providers that aren't usually at the centre of the VPN conversation.

In this piece, we highlight three VPNs we'll be watching closely as 2026 unfolds. Each takes a different approach to its VPN product, but all show signs of momentum and intent in an increasingly crowded industry where refusing to innovate is no longer an option.

1. Norton VPN

Norton VPN has quietly had one of its busiest years to date. Known for one of the best antivirus products on the market, Norton 360, the provider is clearly trying to reposition its VPN. But, instead of chasing flashy extras, Norton spent 2025 solidifying the fundamentals.

That makes sense, because earlier versions of Norton VPN struggled to stand out. The feature set felt thin, OpenVPN performance lagged behind rivals, and device limits caused unnecessary friction, a point we highlighted in our earlier Norton VPN review.

Notably, those issues have not disappeared entirely, but the direction of travel is clear, and the changes this year directly address how the service feels in day-to-day use.

Over the course of 2025, Norton has rolled out a series of updates aimed at fixing the weak spots and strengthening the service, including:

• 25 Gbps servers in key international locations: Norton has upgraded its network in major cities such as New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. It now offers faster connections, fewer slowdowns at busy times, and a smoother experience for streaming, downloading, and everyday browsing.
• Five new P2P-optimised cities: Users can connect to servers specifically designed to handle P2P traffic, which means more reliable connections, positioning Norton VPN as a sturdy torrenting VPN.
• New locations, including virtual servers in India and Berlin: These additions help users connect to region-specific services and avoid being routed through distant, poorly matched servers.
• OpenVPN is now available in UDP and TCP: Users can prioritise speed or stability without the need to understand the technical differences, quietly fixing one of Norton VPN's longer-standing weaknesses.
• Independent audit of the Mimic protocol: Norton passed a third-party audit of its proprietary Mimic protocol, which is designed to disguise VPN traffic so it blends in with normal HTTPS connections and can more easily evade VPN bans. External audits are a key trust signal in the VPN industry, and this step puts Norton on a more comparable footing with providers like ExpressVPN that submit its systems to regular scrutiny.

There's more coming in 2026, and Norton has been open about its roadmap. Based on the pace of change this year, it's worth keeping a close eye on where this VPN goes next. For deeper reporting and insider detail, our ongoing coverage on TechRadar is well worth following, especially after recent behind-the-scenes access to Norton's teams.

2. NymVPN

NymVPN bills itself as the world's most secure VPN, a bold claim that has caught the attention of plenty of privacy advocates in the space.

The project is backed by cryptographers, academics, and figures such as Chelsea Manning, which might suggest this is not just another marketing-led attempt to chase mainstream VPN users but a technical effort to rethink online privacy from the ground up.

After a long and sometimes rough beta phase, which we covered in our Nym VPN review, its full release arrived in March 2025.

The Switzerland-based provider's mission is clear and unapologetic: build a fully decentralised VPN that can withstand surveillance, censorship, and metadata tracking, while reducing reliance on Big Tech's data-hungry infrastructure.

At the heart of this approach is Nym's mixnet. Instead of sending traffic through a single encrypted tunnel, the mixnet routes data across multiple independent nodes, adds cover traffic, and shuffles packets to obscure timing and patterns. The result is that even metadata (who is communicating with whom and when) becomes far harder to analyse. It is closer in spirit to Tor Browser than a traditional VPN, but wrapped in a more consumer-friendly package.

NymVPN has also been sharpening its censorship-unlocking tools. Recent updates introduced QUIC support and a new Stealth API, both designed to help traffic blend in with regular internet activity and bypass deep packet inspection. Users can now choose US servers by state, which helps when content or access rules change from one region to another.

There are still rough edges, though. It's not the most beginner-friendly VPN out there, which is hardly surprising given its experimental design, and the heavy privacy tech can drain battery life faster than most users expect.

How well Nym smooths these issues out in 2026 may determine whether it remains a niche favourite or becomes a genuine force in the wider VPN space.

3. EventVPN

We are usually cautious when it comes to recommending free VPNs, and recent events explain why.

This year, researchers uncovered free VPN apps and browser extensions on Google Play and the Apple App Store that secretly routed traffic through Russian or Chinese networks, bundled foreign SDKs with military-linked ties, or acted as browser-level surveillance tools. Others were caught stealing infrastructure from legitimate providers, while some malicious extensions spied on millions of users for years before resurfacing under new names.

Even when a free VPN is legitimate, compromises are unavoidable. Services like PrivadoVPN Free and Windscribe Free are safe but rely on monthly data caps, limited server selection, or reduced performance. Proton VPN Free removes data limits, but restricts server choice and advanced features.

In short, the best free VPNs protect privacy, but only within carefully drawn boundaries.

This is the context in which EventVPN becomes interesting. Built by the team behind ExpressVPN, EventVPN is a rare example of a free VPN that is upfront about how it works and how it pays for itself.

Instead of data harvesting or hidden tracking, it relies on an ad-supported model, something the company is unusually transparent about.

That trade-off allows EventVPN to offer unlimited bandwidth and access to many of the same security foundations as ExpressVPN, including a strict no-logs policy, kill switch, RAM-only servers, and post-quantum encryption.

The downside is obvious. Watching a 30-second ad just to connect won't suit everyone, especially frequent VPN users. EventVPN does offer an optional paid upgrade, priced at $69.99 per year, for those who want an ad-free experience.

With stricter age verification rolling out, social media bans, ongoing censorship, and rising demand for free privacy tools, EventVPN offers a more trustworthy alternative to the wave of questionable free VPNs we identified this year.

It is not perfect, but it is credible, transparent, and worth watching as it evolves through 2026.

"We don't want to be in the features game" was the message from Gen Digital's Martin Budac when asked what was next for Norton VPN.

In a recent visit to the company's Czech offices, Norton and its parent company, Gen Digital, gave TechRadar unparalleled access to its recently overhauled product.

In 2025 alone, the service has seen a wave of improvements — the latest including new 25 Gbps servers and advancements to its OpenVPN configurations.

But despite these rapid changes, introducing new features isn’t the company’s most pressing concern. Instead, it's looking to double down on the core features Norton is already known for.

"Bells and whistles is the wrong approach"

That’s how Himmat Bains, Norton VPN's Product Lead, put it. "It's easy to fall into the trap and just throw things in"

But that’s not to say Norton VPN is featureless. While it’s separate from Norton’s antivirus products, several important features are now included with the VPN. These include parental controls, cloud backup, dark web monitoring, and a password manager.

Such features are offered individually by several top VPNs, though Norton sits among a very select number to offer multiple, let alone all, of these features.

"More or less 90% of the threats we see are scams"

NortonVPN doesn't benefit from Norton's full 360 antivirus protection but it does give users access to its AI-based malware, phishing, and scam protection tools.

We haven’t put this tool through its paces just yet but we’re particularly interested in testing its AI scam protection capabilities given how pervasive Norton says these scams are.

Its inclusion is yet another example of Norton targeting features that have practical uses for everyday users. As Budac said, the company’s main task is to “protect the customer in a way that they would benefit from rather than just adding an arbitrary feature.”

So while we might not see advanced features like Surfshark’s Alternative IDs or NordVPN’s Meshnet any time soon, the features Norton is prioritizing have the potential to make a genuine impact on a daily basis.

Retaining consumer trust

Despite its recent developments, the Norton VPN app has retained its classic, simple Norton feel. And there's a good reason for this: "The Norton brand signifies trust," Bains said.

But this doesn't mean Norton is resting on its laurels. "We're innovating in the background," Bains added.

Budac echoed the sentiment, noting that the team is focused on “building a product that we want to use ourselves.”

Having reviewed Norton VPN earlier this year, I’m excited to see how the product continues to progress in the following months.

Keeping an eye

2026 could be a huge year for Norton VPN. While the service is still marred by a few small bugs, these are unlikely to persist given the speed at which the product has developed this year.

It has already resolved its confusing device usage limits to create a simpler all-round experience. Furthermore, integrating OpenVPN DCO, alongside TCP and UDP protocols, has greatly enhanced its customizability. Meanwhile, new features like parental controls and password management have added real depth to its value-led packages.

The next steps it needs to compete with the best are, by comparison, small.

It feels as though Norton is aiming to become the iPad of VPNs: simple to set up, easy to use, and powerful enough for a super-user, yet accessible enough for your grandma. If it continues on this trajectory, it could reach that goal sooner than you might expect.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone using a VPN service to break the law or conduct illegal activities. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Norton is one of the best antivirus software providers around - and with good reason.

Norton antivirus frequently scores very high in our own testing and in the testing performed by third-party labs, and right now you can pick up Norton antivirus with a limited-time Cyber Monday discount.

Below, I have rounded up the best discounts from Norton for your region, ranging from single device protection, to family plans, mobile friendly antivirus, and even some great value plans on business antivirus.

Use the links below to jump to the best deals in your region:

• US Norton Antivirus Deals
• US Norton Business Antivirus Deals
• UK Norton Antivirus Deals
• AUS Norton Antivirus Deals

US Norton antivirus deals

US Norton SMB antivirus deals

UK Norton antivirus deals

AUS Norton antivirus deals

Its Black Friday, which means Amazon has officially kicked off its Black Friday sales with some of the biggest savings on the best antivirus software you'll see in 2025.

Amazon's Black Friday antivirus deals are seeing prices cut by over 80%, and to help you find the biggest savings on your favorite software, I've rounded up all the best Amazon Black Friday antivirus deals I've seen so far.

Antivirus software helps protect your devices from malware and hackers by intercepting malicious files before they have a chance to execute. As a bonus, many antivirus packages throw in extra features such as identity theft protection, scam detection, a VPN, and even password managers to keep your credentials secure.

You'll find even more savings on our roundup of the best Black Friday antivirus deals, where we have collected deals on antivirus, password managers, identity protection, and data removal services.

Today's Best Amazon Black Friday Antivirus Deals

In the UK? Norton 360 Deluxe is just £11.50 at Amazon

In the UK? Bitdefender Total Security is just £20 at Amazon

In the UK? McAfee Total Protection is just £12.50 at Amazon

In the UK? McAfee+ Premium is just £40 at Amazon

In the UK? Malwarebytes Premium is just £20 at Amazon

Everybody expects low prices during Black Friday sales, but with VPNs, the deals regularly go beyond just price.

While we often see one or two additional months added to plans for free, or a ‘discount’ that doesn’t really change how much you pay, several VPN providers have gone above and beyond over the last five years to offer genuine savings.

We’ve been tracking VPN deals for years and know the best offers are almost always during Black Friday — but will this year’s match the best from previous years?

We’ve collected the best VPN deals we’ve seen from the past five years to answer that question and work out the best way you can save during Black Friday 2025.

Years of protection for almost $1 per month

The longest plans offered by most of the best VPNs max out at around two years — but not PureVPN.

Across Black Friday 2021 and 2022, TechRadar readers could grab 5 years of protection at around 90% off. This worked out at $1.13 a month, paid upfront for under $70.

We've only ever seen two providers come close to this per-month value: PrivadoVPN ($1.11 per month for two years + FREE antivirus), and FastestVPN — which has an exclusive deal available now.

You can get a lifetime of FastestVPN access for only $30 using code FUTUREBF2025 at checkout. FastestVPN gives you 15 simultaneous connections (rather than PureVPN's 10), over 100 locations, and reliable VPN performance.

Helping you save on what you want

2023 saw one of our most popular Black Friday deals ever, as NordVPN dropped its price and offered Amazon vouchers to new customers.

Up to $30 in Amazon gift cards were up for grabs with two-year plans, alongside a heavily discounted monthly price. Earlier this year, NordVPN dropped the same deal — this time offering up to $50 in Amazon gift cards.

Voucher deals are a rarity among VPNs: among the best VPN companies, only NordVPN has offered them, so don't expect to see that kind of value this year.

That said, getting NordVPN from only $2.99 is still one of the lowest prices the provider has ever offered. What's more, right now, you can get three months extra thrown into your plan.

Flash value

Often, VPNs release their Black Friday price in late October or early November and leave it. And in 2024, Proton's price was released as expected but, in the early hours of Black Friday itself, its price dropped by a further 10%!

At only $1.99/month, the drop put Proton on par with Surfshark's, but with its Swiss-pedigree and greater spread of locations to its advantage. For torrenters and privacy-purists, especially, this was good news, given Proton's port forwarding support and technology, including Secure Core, that Surfshark simply cannot match.

Proton VPN is currently at its lowest price since that flash sale, at only $2.49 per month. Since then, Proton has added a bunch of feature support across Apple devices, introduced a command-line interface for Linux users, and has promised an entirely new, in-house VPN architecture to turbocharge its performance. It's unlikely Proton will drop a flash sale again this year, so it's worth considering signing up over Black Friday while the price is so low.

Black Friday VPN deals 2025: the ones to watch

There's a bunch of great Black Friday VPN deals already live. While not all come close to the amazing deals of the past few years, some put up serious competition. Plus, several big providers are yet to release their deals. That said, from my experience, these are some killer options to consider:

IPVanish: The provider hasn't opted to drop its price this year. Instead, it's added value in the form of big bonuses. You can now get up to 10GB of eSIM data from aloSIM, plus 2TB of encrypted cloud storage on an Advanced plan. What's more, its price is already lower than NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton.

▶ Check out IPVanish's Black Friday deal for yourself

Norton VPN: Norton was my VPN to watch for 2025, and their Black Friday deal this year doesn't disappoint. Norton is offering a year of VPN coverage from only $25. In the last 12 months, Norton has added a huge number of features to its VPN service, and it's massively improved its performance. Plus, we're confident the upgrades aren't stopping anytime soon, so that $25 could get you a lot more than you bargained for in the coming months.

▶ Check out Norton VPN deals

ExpressVPN: It's finally happened! ExpressVPN has dropped to its lowest-ever price. It now starts from only $2.44/month on 2-year plans with 4 months added as extra, too. ExpressVPN isn't the most feature-packed, so the $2.44 deal is the best option in our eyes, as you get 2 years of top-tier protection for under $70.

▶ Check out ExpressVPN's cheapest-ever plans

VPN apps and antivirus software are both designed to improve your security online, but they work in fundamentally different ways. They offer complementary, but different, layers of protection — which is why it's best to use both.

Antivirus software protects against malware, but won't encrypt your internet connection. A VPN will secure your browsing data, but can't do much to protect against viruses. Combine the two, and you'll be a long way to fulfilling digital security best practice.

Thankfully, you don't have to pay for two separate subscriptions anymore as a lot of the best VPN apps also have legitimately good antivirus capabilities. And with Black Friday deals coming in thick and fast, now is a great time to improve your digital security for less.

Does combining a VPN with antivirus lower the quality of both?

Short answer: no. Surfshark is one of our top-ranked VPN apps and has consistently been considered the best cheap VPN. The company are also investing in the antivirus product, with the latest change including a brand-new interface and full ARM support.

Likewise, Norton has updated its VPN app considerably this year and it's starting to compete with the best, recently adding features like Double VPN, IP rotation and a kill switch.

The antivirus options from both may not be quite as advanced, compared with the best standalone antivirus software options we've reviewed, but the convenience of combining both a VPN and antivirus into one subscription is definitely worth considering.

If you're interested, you can try both Surfshark and Norton for free with their 7-day and 14-day trials, respectively.

• Norton VPN has just completed another third-party audit, proving the company's no-log policy
• The auditors only found an issue around IP addresses in certain error cases, but the team swiftly released a fix
• The provider is also reducing its data retention practices, while getting rid of connection timestamps completely

Norton VPN has released some important updates to double down on the company's commitment to privacy and transparency.

An independent cybersecurity firm, VerSprite, confirmed that Norton VPN doesn't store any logs of your online activity, as well as other private data. It also verified Norton's secure infrastructure and policies.

Despite the (already stellar) results, Norton is also strengthening its commitment to user privacy by considerably reducing its data retention practices and getting rid of connection timestamps completely.

The provider also increased the cadence of its transparency reports, bringing it to every three months instead of six.

These changes bring Norton VPN up to speed with the best practices across the industry, helping it rival some of the best VPNs right now. Here's what you need to know.

Third-party audit confirms that Norton VPN doesn't log your activity

In Norton's second annual third-party audit, VerSprite confirmed that it upholds its no-log policy. Norton VPN doesn't collect or store your DNS requests, IP addresses, or browsing history, offering a highly anonymized browsing experience.

Beyond that, VerSprite closely examined the entire Norton VPN infrastructure. This includes its servers, its log retention and anonymization policies, and data flow. Not only were all of those things deemed to be in good order, but VerSprite also noted that Norton has an ongoing commitment to privacy engineering; its efforts are more than just a one-time thing.

The testing was carried out using advanced methods that simulated real-world attacks on Norton's backend systems to assess how they'd handle potential threats.

VerSprite concluded that Norton VPN's backend systems handle user data consistently with published privacy policies. The auditing firm also assigned it a privacy impact score of "None," indicating that it's one of the most private VPNs available.

Norton VPN immediately reacted to a worrying error

Although Norton VPN appears to have done great in the audit, VerSprite's initial findings included a potential privacy gap.

In rare error conditions, VPN client IP addresses could be logged. The logs could reveal potential usage patterns or accessed resources.

However, by the time VerSprite performed its validation retest, Norton VPN had managed to address this problem.

In response to this result, Jon Mah, Technical Director at Norton, said: "We're not just saying 'we don't track you,' we're proving it. Our no-log policy is baked into every technical layer of how the Norton VPN service runs."

Norton VPN's data privacy and transparency levels up

Norton VPN is increasingly becoming an impressive offering, and its commitment to user privacy plays an important part here. This is why the provider decided to make some changes to boost its commitment even further.

For starters, the company got rid of timestamps entirely, in line with other top VPN services. Now, the only information stored is how many times you connect during a period of 24 hours. This means Norton won't know when exactly you connected and how long each session lasted.

The amount of time the provider retains the very few data it collects has also been drastically reduced. Under Norton VPN's updated privacy policy, connection events are now held for 12 months instead of 24. While app metadata events have passed from being stored for 36 months to 18 months. Again, these changes position Norton VPN in line with other top services.

The company has increased the cadence of its Transparency Reports, too. They'll now be published once per quarter instead of once every six months.

Outside of privacy, Norton VPN added OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) support for Windows recently. This can boost connection speeds when using the OpenVPN protocol.

All of these changes are important to end users. The whole point of using a VPN is often data privacy and security, so Norton's ongoing commitment to both is a good sign.

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• Norton’s new monitoring features arrive during a record-breaking surge in breaches
• Dark web forums increasingly trade sensitive business identifiers with alarming speed
• Social media scams multiply, hitting small businesses where reputations are fragile

Small businesses face an increasingly difficult online environment, with both financial and reputational threats emerging from unexpected directions.

Attackers are becoming more precise in how they target smaller organizations and individual influencers who often lack the best ransomware protection or enterprise-level defenses.

According to Norton, cyber breaches aimed at small businesses rose more than 50% in 2025, and data exposure overall increased 21% quarter over quarter.

Small businesses are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of cybercrime

“Today, small businesses are targets like everyone else, and they need the right tools to help protect them from very real threats,” said Deval Patel, Head of Small Business at Gen.

To tackle this, Norton has expanded its security package to address two major weak points: stolen business data circulating on the dark web and fraudulent activity on social media accounts.

The new release adds broader coverage for information that could easily be used against a business once exposed.

Its “Dark Web Monitoring” feature now scans for eight additional fields beyond personal details, including Company Name, Tax ID number, and VAT numbers.

If any of these identifiers appear on underground forums or marketplaces, the owners receive an alert.

For businesses considering a dark web VPN to shield activity, it becomes clear that monitoring alone is not a complete solution but one piece of a larger security puzzle.

“… By adding enhanced Dark Web and Social Media Monitoring alongside our Financial Monitoring feature, we’re extending that peace of mind into areas where cyber threats are growing fastest,” Patel added.

The idea is to give small businesses a chance to react before criminals exploit the data for fraud or impersonation.

While this expansion sounds reassuring, it depends heavily on how fast information surfaces online compared with Norton’s detection speed.

The second addition comes through “Social Media Monitoring,” which focuses on Facebook and Instagram business profiles.

Norton claims the system can flag signs of account takeover, malicious links, and suspicious behavior before the account owner notices.

For small businesses that rely on these platforms for visibility or sales, early warnings could reduce financial loss and reputation damage.

This type of protection also reaches influencers, who depend on their online presence to maintain partnerships and audience trust.

Given the rise in scams documented in Gen’s Q2 Threat Report, particularly fraudulent ads and fake support schemes, social media management is increasingly linked with cybersecurity rather than just branding or marketing.

Norton’s expansion shows that even very small enterprises now face risks once limited to large corporations.

Yet the effectiveness of these tools will depend on real-world speed, accuracy, and whether owners treat alerts as actionable signals rather than background noise.

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• Norton VPN just added support for OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) to its Windows VPN client
• The company's internal tests recorded doubled connection speeds and 15% lower latency, all while keeping the same OpenVPN security standards
• Norton now joins a short list of VPN providers that have rolled out DCO support

Norton has just given its users a major VPN upgrade, and it's one that many of the best VPN services are yet to offer.

The company has rolled out OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) support to its Windows VPN client. OpenVPN DCO works by shifting the heavy lifting of encryption from software into your computer's hardware, boosting speeds and lowering latency.

The feature is now live for new Windows users and as an update for existing customers. With this move, Norton VPN joins a small but growing group of VPN providers that are leaning into DCO.

How does Norton's new OpenVPN DCO work?

Norton VPN has added DCO to its OpenVPN protocol. OpenVPN has been around for a long time and is one of the most widely used VPN protocols in the world. While secure and versatile, it's often slower than newer protocols like WireGuard. That's exactly what DCO aims to fix.

OpenVPN DCO boosts connection speeds by moving the heavy encryption work from the virtual private network (VPN) app into the operating system’s kernel, which handles tasks directly with your hardware for far greater efficiency.

As Himmat Bains, Product Lead at Norton VPN, explains, OpenVPN DCO is a performance boost feature for OpenVPN as it eliminates bottlenecks and utilizes system resources more efficiently.

"Think of it as moving from a crowded city street to an express lane – same destination, far less congestion," Bains told TechRadar, adding that Norton VPN is now one of the first VPNs to include this feature.

"We've found connection speeds have more than doubled, and a latency reduction of 15%. As more people demand both speed and privacy from a VPN, we're excited to make this available to customers looking to use the OpenVPN protocol," Bains added.

These improvements are bound to make gaming and streaming via VPN a much more pleasant, seamless experience, although Norton warns that the exact performance increase will vary. It all depends on how far you are from a given VPN server.

How to enable OpenVPN DCO in Norton VPN

According to Norton's announcement, DCO is rolling out for all Windows users. So, if you're already subscribed, you'll need to update your VPN client to the Windows v25.8 version or higher. If you're a new subscriber, you will get access to the feature right away.

Enabling it should be simple. All you need to do is make sure you're using the OpenVPN protocol while connecting to Norton VPN, as DCO is unavailable on other protocols.

If you're a new subscriber, you can try Norton VPN through a 30-day free trial. After that, plans include Norton VPN Standard, Plus, and Ultimate, starting at the equivalent of $3.33 per month on a one-year plan.

Norton VPN is not the first to offer OpenVPN DCO access

Norton is one of a very short list of VPN providers that now offer access to OpenVPN DCO. Aside from Norton VPN, you'll find services such as ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, and PrivadoVPN.

ExpressVPN supports OpenVPN DCO on Windows, but it has also rolled out speed upgrades across other protocols. It used to be pricier than Norton, but now, you can customize your subscription plan based on your needs, making it more competitive.

Meanwhile, Surfshark is generally one of the fastest VPNs around, so we're curious to see how it'll match up against Norton. Apart from DCO support, Surfshark’s FastTrack promises up to 70% faster connection speeds.

We've reviewed all of these, and we have also recently refreshed our Norton VPN review. We'll have to go back and test its performance claims now that DCO has been fully rolled out. However, we've previously marked it down for poor OpenVPN speeds. This update might just be the change that it needs to rank higher among its competitors.

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AVG often tops the best antivirus software lists, though more frequently the list of best free antivirus. It does offer a paid plan, but then it enters the realm of heavy hitters such as Norton and Bitdefender.

However, AVG users prefer a more lightweight AV that won't break the bank; therefore, finding a suitable upgrade is not always easy.

That's why I have rounded up some top-tier AV that have powerful features and a range of use cases. Below, I have laid out exactly why these are the best alternatives to AVG AV.

Best AVG alternative overall

Features:

Outside of Norton's excellent antivirus and firewall protection, the 360 Standard plan will provide you with several additional features across 3 devices.

You'll be able to browse the web securely with Norton's AI Genie Scam Protection, a tool that can analyze the content of texts, phone calls, emails, and websites to check for hidden scams or fraud.

Additionally, you'll be able to use a password manager and an unlimited VPN to encrypt your internet traffic, and protect your sensitive files in a secure 2GB cloud backup. Norton 360 Standard also includes breach monitoring to score the dark web for any exposed credentials.

What Norton 360 lacks is a performance optimizer and a driver updater, but Norton's lightweight performance means it shouldn't have too much of an impact on your devices.

Security:

Norton has been one of the top-rated antivirus providers for some time, up there with the likes of Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton.

In the latest tests by AV-Comparatives, Norton achieved a protection score of 99.5% with 9 false positives, making it one of the highest scoring antivirus solutions tested by AV-Comparatives.

In AV-Test real-world testing, Norton secured a 6/6 across the board for protection, performance, and usability, earning it a 'Top Product' badge.

Price:

Norton is the most affordable alternative to AVG, with a first year price of just $39.99, or $3.33 per month. After the introductory year, the renewal price rises to $99.94, which is also the lowest renewal cost on this list.

Best AVG Alternative for multi-device protection

Features:

McAfee+ Premium is the 'Core Protection' package, but it does include some additional features that make it a better alternative to AVG.

You get McAfee's tried and tested antivirus and firewall, alongside safe browsing protection, scam protection, a password manager, unlimited VPN, and dark web scans for credential breaches and personal information leakage.

For those with a household full of different devices, McAfee+ Premium is the definite choice. You can secure antivirus protection across an unlimited number of devices.

Security:

McAfee is one of the highest scoring antivirus solutions in terms of protection. In AV-Comparatives testing, it achieved a malware block rate of 99.96%. However, it did log 15 normal programs as malware during testing.

In the AV-Test results, McAfee also scored highly, achieving 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, also earning it the 'Top Product' award.

Price:

McAfee's pricing sits nicely in the mid-point on this list at $49.99 for the first year, or around $4.16 per month. The one thing to be wary of is the renewal pricing, which ups the price to $149.99, making it one of the most expensive antivirus solutions on this list when it comes to renewal by around $50.

Best AVG Alternative for protection score

Features:

As you'll read below, Bitdefender's reputation for protection is not unfounded. It has been one of the best performing antivirus solutions for several years. Outside of Bitdefender's antivirus and firewall, you'll be provided with safe browsing capabilities, scam detection, leaked credential monitoring and a VPN. The VPN does have a daily cap of 200MB/day however.

Security:

As I mentioned, Bitdefender's protection is near perfect. In Av-Comparatives testing, Bitdefender missed hitting top marks by just 0.2%, with a surprisingly low false-positive rate of just 3, making it the best performing antivirus in the latest testing.

As expected, Bitdefender also scored very well in AV-Test results, 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability. Again, Bitdefender also earned AV-Test's 'Top Product' award.

Price:

Protection of this level does come at a cost. Bitdefender Total Security's introductory price sits at $59.99 for the first year, or $4.99 per month. The renewal price is also quite high at $109.99.

Best AVG Alternative for the essentials

Features:

When it comes to features, Avast Premium is a little sparse. You get the essential antivirus and smart firewall, but outside of a performance optimizer and scam protection, there isn't much else to add.

Avast Premium does include browser based password protection, but falls short of offering a dedicated password manager. There are a few other nice-to-haves included in the plan though, such as a tool for permanently and securely deleting files, and a sandbox that can be used to open 'risky files' without them potentially infecting your device.

On the upside, you do get protection across 10 devices, making it another good choice if you're looking for multi-device protection.

Security:

Avast scored very well in the latest AV-Comparatives testing, with a protection score of 99.5%. It did however pick up 15 false-positives, which could be an issue for those who don't want frequent interruptions from their antivirus.

On the AV-Test side of things, Avast also holds up under pressure, again scoring 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability with Avast matching up to the other alternatives on this list and earning the 'Top Product' award.

Price:

Avast is the most expensive alternative to AVG on this list, with the introductory pricing for the first year sitting at $69.48, working out at $5.79.

However, the renewal pricing jump isn't too bad, with renewal costing just $99.99 per year. Avast is therefore the best alternative to AVG for the essentials, offering excellent protection across 10 devices.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

If you are among the millions of users affected by the ban on Kaspersky sales by the US, then fear not. Rest assured that there is other equally, if not better, antivirus software to keep you protected online.

Equally important, you should try and find a reputable supplier that offers similar functionality so you do not miss out on any critical features that make your life easy.

Luckily, there are a range of Kaspersky alternatives that offer exactly the same level of protection, and some even through in some extra features to keep you safe online!

Best Kaspersky alternative overall

Features:

The Norton 360 Standard suite contains almost everything you need to replace your Kaspersky antivirus, and even throws in several extra goodies to tempt you.

This package includes Norton's award winning antivirus software that frequently scores highly in both our own testing and in testing done by third party laboratories.

You also get access to a highly configurable firewall, alongside safe browsing protection that includes payment protection, and dark web monitoring, and even includes Genie scam protection; and AI powered tool that can quickly spot nefarious scams.

As an added bonus to your personal privacy, Norton 360 standard also throws in a password manager, VPN with kill switch and IP rotation, and a 2GB cloud backup for important files.

The one tool that Norton 360 Standard is missing is a performance optimizer, but Norton has earned top marks in the latest AV-Test performance scores, so you'll hardly know its there.

Security:

When it comes to protection, Norton is one of the best performing antivirus solutions on the market. The software frequently receives three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world testing scenarios without letting malware slip through the net or picking up too many false-positives.

In the latest testing from June 2025, Norton detected 99.5% of the sample threats with 9 false-positives, making it a more than capable solution to replace your existing Kaspersky antivirus.

Price:

Norton 360 Standard is priced at an introductory rate of $39.99, putting the per month cost at $3.33. Norton 360 Standard only provides protection for one device.

However, after the first introductory year, the price jumps to $94.99. While not the most expensive renewal cost on this list the pricing can appear quite steep. However, with Norton 360 Standard you are getting a wide range of features at an excellent price point compared to the other services on this list - making it the best Kaspersky alternative.

Best Kaspersky Alternative for all-in-one protection

Features:

Avast Premium Security offers everything you would expect from antivirus software at this price point. You'll have access to Avast's signature antivirus software complete with firewall, and safe browsing protections including secure payment protection.

Unlike Norton 360 Standard, Avast Premium Security includes an Email Guardian scam filter. Plus, you'll also to dark web monitoring to spot compromised credentials linked to your email account.

What this package is missing is a password manager and cloud backup, but for a price as low as this I think it is still worth the money, and definitely a good budget alternative for Kaspersky.

Security:

Avast is another name that frequent the top of the list when it comes to antivirus protection. In the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, Avast blocked 99.5% of threats, but had a rather high false-positive rate, detecting 15 files as malware.

When it comes other lab testing, Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a maximum score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, awarding Avast the Top Product badge.

Price:

Avast is the budget option on this list for a reason, with an introductory price of $31.20, or $2.60 per month.

The renewal price also makes it a great budget alternative to Kaspersky, offering the lowest renewal price on this list at just $77.99.

Best Kaspersky Alternative for multi-device

Features:

Bitdefender has maintained our top pick for the best antivirus software for some time - and with good reason. Bitdefender has consistently been one of the highest performing antivirus solutions on the market, consistently raking in top marks in our own testing and in the testing done by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.

Bitdefender Total Security gives you 1 account to use with protection across up to 5 devices, alongside a firewall, safe browsing protection, online payment and scam protection, and a system optimizer to keep things running smoothly.

Additionally, Bitdefender Total Security includes a VPN with a 200MB/day limit, and dark web monitoring for breached accounts.

Security:

As mentioned before, Bitdefender consistently scores highly in tests. The latest AV-Comparatives test from June 2025 place Bitdefender's protection at 99.8% with just 3 false positives.

Bitdefender also received an 'Outstanding' rating by AV-Test in their latest results, with a 6/6 for performance, protection, and usability, also earning Bitdefender the Top Product award.

Price:

Protection levels such as these do come at a premium, with Bitdefender Total Security costing $59.99 at its introductory rate, or $4.99 per month. The renewal cost rises to $109.99.

Keep in mind however that Bitdefender Total Security gives you protection across 5 devices compared to the other plans on this list, which may offset the increased price if you have more devices to protect.

Best Kaspersky alternative for simplicity

Features:

Compared to the other solutions on this list, AVG Internet Security offers fewer features at a similar price point.

You get access to all the essentials, including protection for one device, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, a performance optimizer, and scam protection.

The list of features is slightly less than the other solutions, with the lack of a password manager, breach monitoring, and VPN being significant reductions in protection compared to the other plans.

However, if you are looking for a simple plan without too many frills, bells, or whistles, AVG Internet Security is the choice for you.

Security:

In the latest AV-Comparatives testing, AVG scored a protection rate of 99.3% with a false positive rate of 13. It is still a very capable software, and these tests are by no means a comprehensive display of antivirus performance, but there is the potential for this antivirus to pick up normal software as malware during scans.

AVG almost scored top marks in recent AV-Test testing, with a 6 in protection, 5.5 in performance, and 6 in usability. The tests showed slightly slower launching of software while the antivirus is running, but it is fairly minimal and shouldn't impact day-to-day activities too much.

Price:

AVG Internet Security sits in the middle of the road when it comes to pricing, matching Norton 360 Standard's $39.99, or $3.33 per month. Renewal is slightly higher though, at $99.99.

For the features on offer, AVG Internet Security seems slightly overpriced compared to some of the protection and features offered by the other plans. However, if you are looking for simplicity with good protection, AVG is the one for you.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

Q&A

While it may be true that McAfee has been around for quite some time, and that it holds a sizable market share among the best antivirus software, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best at what it does.

Numerous new devices come preinstalled with McAfee, but users occasionally complain about its missing features, higher costs and, at times, slowdowns they experience on their machines while using it.

Nevertheless, McAfee has a lot to offer in terms of its protection prowess, so finding a suitable alternative may prove to be a challenge. For this exact reason, we would like to share the best alternatives we’ve found for McAfee. Let’s take a look!

Best McAfee alternative

Features:

At this pricing tier, Norton 360 Deluxe offers the greatest range of features compared to any other McAfee alternative on this list.

Outside of the obvious inclusions in an antivirus product (antivirus, malware removal, firewall), this plan provides you with the additional online browsing nice-to-haves such as safe browsing protection, payment and scam protection, a password manager and an unlimited VPN.

As for the features that improve day-to-day life, Norton 360 Deluxe adds a 50GB cloud backup, dark web monitoring for compromised accounts, and parental controls to keep the household safe.

The one feature that Norton 360 Deluxe is missing is a PC performance optimizer, but considering the price point and array of features, this is a fairly minor sticking point.

Security:

Norton is one of the top performing antivirus solutions around. Norton has received the full three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world testing scenarios, blocking 99.5% of the malware samples with only 9 false-positives.

AV-Test scores are also impressive, with 6/6 across the board for protection, performance, and usability, earning it the 'Top Product' badge.

Price:

When it comes to price, Norton 360 Deluxe gets additional points for being the cheapest on this list. It also matches the price of McAfee Premium while offering significantly more bang for your buck.

The first year is currently $49.99, working out at around $4.16 per month. The renewal price on the other hand is the most expensive on the list, sitting at $199.99, so the cost over two years is somewhere in the middle.

Overall, for the number of features and the excellent level of protection, this is definitely a worthwhile investment to keep your files and devices safe.

Best McAfee Alternative for multi-device protection

Features:

When it comes to features, AVG Ultimate offers a good range, but maybe not quite everything you're looking for.

It includes all the essentials such as antivirus, malware removal, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, scam protection, a VPN and breach monitoring, but doesn't include a cloud backup, password manager, or parental controls like Norton 360 Deluxe does.

But considering you can protect 10 devices with everything you need to keep your data safe and your device free from malware, its quite a good feature set overall.

Security:

In AV-Comparatives testing, AVG scored slightly lower than Norton with a protection rate of 99.3%, and a false positive rate of 13, making it a highly capable bit of kit that might recognize a few more of your programs as malware.

Recent AV-Test testing saw AVG score very well, with a 6 in protection, 5.5 in performance, and 6 in usability. AVG might make it take slightly longer for your other programs to launch while your system is being scanned, but the impact is negligible.

Price:

The initial cost for AVG Ultimate is slightly more expensive than Norton 360 Deluxe, with a first year price of $59.88, rounding out at about $4.99 per month. However, the renewal cost is $139.99, making it a potential option for those looking for long term protection across a large range of devices.

Best McAfee Alternative for protection score

Features:

Bitdefender Total Security gives you protection across up to 5 devices, alongside a firewall, safe browsing protection, online payment and scam protection, and a system optimizer.

Additionally, Bitdefender Total Security includes a VPN with a 200MB/day limit, and dark web monitoring for breached accounts.

However, just like AVG Ultimate, you don't get access to a password manager, cloud backup, or parental controls.

Security:

Bitdefender has consistently been one of the highest performing antivirus solutions on the market, frequently raking in top marks in our own testing and in the testing done by the third-party labs.

Bitdefender received an 'Outstanding' rating by AV-Test in their latest results, with a 6/6 for performance, protection, and usability, also earning Bitdefender the Top Product award.

The latest AV-Comparatives test from June 2025 place Bitdefender's protection at 99.8% with just 3 false positives, making it the most capable antivirus in terms of real-world protection.

Price:

Bitdefender Total Security puts a premium on such high performance, with an initial cost of $59.99, or $4.99 per month. The renewal cost is one of the lowest however, at just $109.99, making it a fairly good choice for a long term budget.

Best McAfee alternative for PC performance

Features:

Avast Ultimate's feature set is fairly sparse compared to the other options on this list. Outside of the essentials (antivirus, malware removal, firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, and scam protection), Avast only includes a VPN. However, if you are looking to have your device perform at the optimal level, this could be the choice for you.

Avast's Cleanup Premium is included in this plan, giving you tracking protection, junk cleanup that can be automated, and a disk-cleaner to keep your storage optimized and free from clutter.

Security:

Avast also offers great antivirus protection. In the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, Avast blocked an impressive 99.5% of threats, but had a rather high false-positive rate, detecting 15 normal files as malware.

When it comes other lab testing, Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a maximum score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability, awarding Avast the Top Product badge.

Price:

Avast Ultimate has the highest initial cost on this list at $69.99, or $5.83 per month for the first year. This compounded by the fact that you only get protection on a single device, also making it the most expensive option on a per-device-protection level.

After the first year, things don't get much better. The renewal cost is $139.99, but for the suite of device cleanup and optimization tools, it could be worth it for some.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

For two decades now, Bitdefender has been offering great features in the antivirus software and anti-malware space, protecting over 500 million devices across the globe.

Its Ultimate Security Plus package covers almost everything you may need from an antivirus suite; however, that doesn’t mean that there are no alternatives to it. If you want to move away from Bitdefender or simply see what else is out there as a good alternative, then you’re in the right place.

Below, we present our best alternatives to Bitdefender antivirus as well as features that would make us switch.

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

Best Bitdefender alternative overall

Features:

The Norton 360 with LifeLock is probably the most comprehensive security suite you can get. It includes Norton's award winning antivirus software, alongside numerous privacy and security features, and LifeLock identity theft protection with credit monitoring.

On the security side, you'll pick up a configurable firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, dark web monitoring, and Genie scam protection.

On the privacy side, Norton also throws in a password manager, VPN with kill switch and IP rotation, and a 250GB cloud backup for important files and documents. All of the security and privacy features are available across 10 devices.

The identity theft protection is some of the best in the industry, with Norton offering LifeLock protection that includes up to $1,000,000 for lawyer fees, up to $1,000,000 stolen funds reimbursement, and up to $1,000,000 personal expense reimbursement.

LifeLock also includes three bureau credit monitoring alongside 401(k) and Investment Account monitoring.

The one thing Norton doesn't have is a built in performance optimizer. Luckily, Norton frequently scores very well in third party testing and our own testing for having a very minimal impact on system performance while running.

Security:

Norton is one of the best performing antivirus solutions on the market, and has been for some time. In the latest tests, Norton antivirus was awarded three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world scenarios. Norton detected 99.5% of the sample threats with 9 false-positives, making it more than capable of replacing your Bitdefender protection.

Price:

Norton 360 with LifeLock has an introductory rate of $99.99 for the first year, putting the per month cost at $8.33. For comparison, Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus costs $119.99 for the first year.

The renewal price does jump to $189.99. While not the most expensive renewal cost on this list the pricing can appear quite steep. But for the cost, you are getting a comprehensive security suite for 10 devices with some of the strongest identity theft protection around.

Best Bitdefender Alternative for budget

Features:

Avast Ultimate is another antivirus suite that offers an excellent range of features to replace your existing Bitdefender antivirus. You'll have access to Avast's signature antivirus software complete with firewall, and safe browsing protections including secure payment and scam protection across up to 10 devices.

Alongside access to an unlimited VPN with over 50 server locations, Avast Ultimate also includes several performance management tools, including an automatic software updater, app optimizer, disk cleanup, and a driver updating tool.

Avast Ultimate doesn't include identity theft protection, nor does it have a password manager or cloud backup, but as a replacement for Bitdefender, Avast is a solid choice in both protection and pricing.

Security:

Similar to Norton and Bitdefender, Avast has been a brand that offers award winning antivirus protection. Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability. Avast blocked 99.5% of threats in the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, but detected 15 safe files as malware.

Price:

Currently, Avast sits at a very fair price point, especially with the current discount that cuts the introductory cost to $69.48 for the first year, which to translates to $5.79 per month.

The renewal price is also very fair, and offers an excellent long term solution as an alternative to Bitdefender, with the price after the first year sitting at $139.99.

Best Bitdefender Alternative for data protection

Features:

ESET is a lesser-know antivirus software that offers good levels of protection, with a set of particularly good features that revolve around data security.

In the Home Security Ultimate package, you'll get antivirus, a firewall, malware removal, safe payment, scam, and browsing protection, alongside a password manager and dark web monitoring. ESET also include a VPN with unlimited bandwidth. The plan covers 5 devices.

On the identity side of things, ESET Home Security Ultimate offers up to $1,000,000 in reimbursement if your identity is stolen, with 1 bureau credit monitoring.

Now, the data protection features include file and folder security settings, so only programs you approve can modify or access your files, an encryption tool to keep documents and external drives secured even if they are lost, and the ability to remove metadata from images before uploading.

Security:

Despite being a smaller name than the big providers, ESET is also tested by the third party labs. In a recent AV-Comparatives test, ESET protected against 99.1% of malware samples, giving it the lowest score on this list, but still providing excellent protection. During the test it only picked up 3 false-positive detections. In AV-Test testing, ESET scored 6/6 across the board.

Price:

ESET Home Security Ultimate is the most expensive software on this list, with a first year price of $125.99, or $10.49 per month. The renewal price matches the others on this list at $179.99.

The price may be a bit steep for some, but for those looking for a solid antivirus suite with a focus on data protection, ESET is the pick for you.

Comparison

Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives

Norton is best known as one of the the best antivirus solutions, but, for several years now, it has been a VPN too. We've never shouted about it much because, frankly, it's never really impressed – until now.

We're still in the process of putting the new-look and reimagined Norton VPN service through its re-test, but here's a sneak peek at what we've found: it's quick, it's packed with every feature you'd expect of one of the best VPNs, and it comes with a double-sized 60-day money-back guarantee.

We're also delighted to announce that we have an exclusive TechRadar reader discount for anyone looking to take Norton VPN for a spin – a deal that makes it one the best cheap VPNs at only $2.50 per month!

Why Norton VPN?

No matter the plan you choose, Norton VPN gives you ad blocking, IP rotation, double VPN, and geo-restricted content unblocking – none of which it could reliably do in the past.

Add to that a true 7-day free trial and a whopping 60-day money-back guarantee, and it becomes difficult not to suggest picking up a copy and giving it a try. Norton has over 100 server locations worldwide, and its new app is simple enough that anyone new to VPNs should be able to pick it up and get started with little difficulty.

Yes, it's not a complete product yet. However, it's difficult to ignore the rapid improvements that we've seen already in the product, and this means we can only assume more of this will come throughout 2025. Will it challenge the very best VPNs? You'll have to read the re-review, once it goes live, to find out.

Every time you establish an internet connection (which is pretty much as soon as you power on the device), there’s a small possibility of contracting malware.

The best antivirus software is a nice way to minimize the possibility of this happening, but still, deciding on a vendor is generally not easy.

For instance, if you’re undecided between Avast and Norton, the issue is that they’re both so effective in safeguarding users from malicious software that settling on one is pretty challenging, especially when you consider that getting an AV is a long-term commitment.

Fortunately, the differences become apparent when you stack them up against each other, feature for feature. By extension, it gets a bit easier to find the security solution that works best for you.

Avast versus Norton: Background

Despite starting as far back as 1988 in Czechoslovakia and establishing itself as a capable antivirus (at one point it even licensed its engines to popular AV vendors like McAfee), Avast only became mainstream in the early 2000s when it switched to a freemium model. Today, in addition to providing a total security suite with advanced features, Avast’s core protection is still available for free and safeguards millions of devices around the world.

Norton started life in 1982 and built up such a solid reputation so fast that it completely dominated the home antivirus market in the 90s and early 2000s. Despite facing competition from equally capable solutions, its name is still associated with the term antivirus in some circles.

It’s interesting that these two are often pitted against each other, because they technically come from the same company, so to speak, as Norton acquired Avast back in 2021.

Avast versus Norton: Security features

Before breaking down the features, note that Avast and Norton will dramatically boost your overall security, as both vendors knock it out of the ballpark in terms of core malware protection. Unsurprisingly, the reason for this is that they’re powered by the same Avast antivirus engine.

Since they operate almost identically, the features, resource usage, and pricing will be what ultimately decides which product is better.

So, without further ado, it’s time to commence the Avast vs Norton deep dive.

Real-time threat detection

Avast actively monitors your device and scrutinizes both file and app behavior, springing into action by blocking any potentially harmful activities before they wreak havoc on the system. Moreover, its Wi-Fi security scanner keeps an eye on remote connection requests, while also checking if your email address was a part of a data breach – super useful.

Similarly, Norton employs AI and machine learning to provide real-time defense against threats ranging from phishing and ransomware to malware. Despite blocking over 95% of test links we used during our evaluation, Norton and Avast tend to throw a lot of false positives your way (more on that later).

Firewall

A strong firewall is a necessary part of every powerful AV suite, and Avast and Norton deliver the goods.

Avast takes full control of both the ingoing and outgoing traffic, blocking any unauthorized connections and activity. The thing we like is the simplicity in terms of protection levels, as you can add extra limitations for stronger defense or make the firewall more lax, allowing it to let additional connections through.

Norton is similar in that it protects outgoing and ingoing traffic and offers an equal level of customization. However, its Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) tips the battle in its favor. This functions as another layer to the firewall that monitors traffic that has already passed through, which, logically, provides a stronger defense against more advanced threats.

Identity theft protection

If your identity is compromised, you can rely on Avast and Norton to get things under control. That is, if you opt for their most expensive premium tiers.

With Avast One, you get the basics like credit monitoring, professional assistance from Avast’s experts, and up to $1M identity theft compensation.

Norton’s Select tier identity theft protection is much more powerful. By partnering up with LifeLock, Norton supplies a full-on service with comprehensive features such as identity lock, credit monitoring, SSN and credit alerts, as well as wallet protection. Similar to Avast, Norton includes personal assistance, courtesy of identity theft restoration specialists and up to $1M in compensation.

VPN

Since VPN enhances your online security by keeping everything you do under wraps, most vendors include a VPN in their AV suites.

That’s good news for those strapped for cash, as Avast offers a basic VPN even in its free subscription. While this is a welcome treat, you’ll have to contend with a weekly 5GB data cap, meaning that streaming or other bandwidth-heavy activity is out of the question. You also can’t choose locations yourself, as the VPN will automatically connect you to the nearest server. Upgrading to any paid tier eliminates these limitations and allows you to connect to 59 locations.

Norton’s VPN is much more serious and can even rival some of the best VPN services on the market. For starters, its server network includes 100 global locations. There are also some additional “big boy” features that provide more security and value, including a kill switch, IP rotation, simultaneous device connections, and ad blocking.

Password manager

The majority of antivirus vendors integrate password managers into premium packages. Sadly, Avast isn’t one of them. Despite offering a dedicated product, Avast doesn’t include it in any of its Avast One subscriptions.

Norton is much more generous in this regard, offering a nifty browser-based management tool that allows you to share credentials across devices. It may not be as comprehensive as some of the top password managers, but Norton does have auto-fill capabilities and a handy password generator.

Parental controls

Another thing missing from Avast is any semblance of parental control features. Although there’s no shortage of parental control apps you can use instead, this omission is disappointing, considering most of the big vendors offer some features.

Norton delivers in this department. In addition to easy-to-use parental controls that provide insight into your child’s browsing habits, app activities, and screen time, you can easily blacklist websites and block whole content categories.

The most powerful feature is GPS tracking that helps monitor the whereabouts of juniors, and you can even go as far as limiting geographic areas, allowing you to receive a notification if the child you’re tracking breaks some of the rules.

Other security features

Along with these more essential features, Avast and Norton come out of the box with some extra goodies that can serve as a nice addition to your security arsenal.

The file shredder feature (Norton refers to it as a Data Shredder) is amazing if you want to make certain that deleted files will be gone for good and aren’t recoverable by threat actors. Both providers also have security functions that prevent untrusted apps from accessing your webcam. Avast is a bit better here as its Webcam Shield also protects your microphone.

Norton makes up for this slight oversight with Dark Web Monitoring, a powerful way to be in the loop if your private data has been leaked to the dark web. Avast One may not be as comprehensive, but it does allow you to check if your email addresses were involved in a data breach.

The two also include private browsers designed to enhance your browsing security, but Norton takes it up a notch with cloud backup functionality – a proactive way to preserve your files from data loss.

Lastly, Avast comes prepackaged with useful tools such as PC Speedup (optimizes apps that are slowing down your system), a Disk Cleaner that helps free up space, and a driver updater tool.

Avast versus Norton: System performance

When compared to Norton, Avast may seem unimpressive. Yet, it comes close to bridging this gap when you take a closer look at its low resource usage.

The latest performance test by AV-Comparatives paints a positive picture. The vendor had a 3.8 impact score (the lower the score, the faster the AV), which means that Avast is second only to McAfee in terms of system performance.

During the same series of tests, Norton achieved an impact score of 4.6, closely trailing behind Avast with a marginally slower performance.

Factoring in that some reputable AV solutions like Avira, Malwarebytes, and Bitdefender have impact scores over 15, you really can’t go wrong with Norton or Avast.

Avast versus Norton: Ease of use

The key design principle with all Avast products has always been simplicity. Regardless of the solution you choose, you can always expect the customer experience to be enjoyable, and the Avast One suite is no exception.

Opting for a more cartoony look with a white background (Avast is generally known for its darker theme), the interface is as intuitive as ever. For example, you’ll find the most important features on the ‘Home’ screen. That way, you can quickly take action if any pressing matters pop up.

To run scans or configure advanced features such as the VPN or the firewall, simply navigate to the ‘Explore’ menu on the left sidebar.

A sleek and streamlined UX is certainly welcome, especially for users who are unfamiliar with antivirus solutions and lack the technical know-how. Still, more technically inclined users may find this approach too simplistic and restrictive.

Norton also offers a well-designed, intuitive interface, though it’s slightly more complex.

For starters, it includes more information and settings. Those looking for granular control over their AV will feel right at home, but beginners may find the whole thing more confusing and frustrating. Some functions also require more effort to access, like Dark Web Monitoring and parental controls not being included in the app. Rather, they’re browser-based, which may turn off users who want a more centralized suite.

It’s only fair to crown Avast a winner in this department, though ultimately, the choice is down to personal preference.

Avast versus Norton: Protection

Password managers, PC cleanup tools, and snappy interfaces are all good and well. Still, the most important thing for an antivirus is its efficiency against malware.

Fortunately, these two are right on money. As we previously mentioned, they use the same antivirus engine, so the results are pretty much identical.

Malware protection tests from March 2025 conducted by AV-Comparatives confirm this. Both had a 99.3% online detection rate, 99.96% online protection rate, and 99.7% offline detection rate. These high scores come at a slight cost, as the duo raised 10 false alarms during the course of the testing.

That minor issue aside, Avast and Norton are highly effective when it comes to core protection and will likely work great against all known threats you may encounter.

Avast versus Norton: Pricing

Though the engine they use is the same, the list of features is quite different, and so is the price.

Let’s start with Avast, which is the more economical of the two.

If you require the basics, the aptly named ‘Basic’ tier will likely have everything you’ll ever need, considering that there are no limitations in terms of the core antivirus protection. However, the best way to describe its features is a ghost town, as you’ll be limited to one device and have to deal with a VPN that has only one location and a data cap.

The next tier is Avast One Silver Individual, which costs $35.88 per year. It sheds most of these restrictions and unlocks features such as the firewall. Yet, the real fun starts with Avast One Gold, since it comes with identity protection features and extends the protection to five devices for a reasonable yearly price of $83.88.

The family version of both plans exists, costing $59.88 or $113.88 per year, and extends the protection to a whopping 30 devices.

More expensive overall, Norton not only comes with more features but also offers more variety in terms of plans.

Pricing starts at $29.99 annually for one device with the AntiVirus Plus tier. The Standard plan costs $39.99 per year for three devices, while Deluxe offers protection for five devices at $49.99 annually. The most comprehensive option, the Select package, supports up to ten devices for $99.99 per year.

Avast versus Norton: Which is best?

While it seems like an underwhelming end to an epic antivirus battle, the fact that both solutions are cut from the same cloth is a good thing. So, the decision completely rests on personal preference:

If you need a low-cost AV with a minimal impact on your system and a clean interface, then go with Avast. In case you require a comprehensive security suite with an amazing VPN and advanced features like identity theft protection and parental controls, you can’t beat Norton.

Bottom line, you’ll be safe with either provider.

This is your last chance to check out on that antivirus deal that has been sitting in your basket, as today is the last day of Prime Day. Antivirus packages contain many different tools, from scam and phishing protection, to credential managers and identity monitoring. Luckily, no matter what you're looking for, all of the biggest brands are currently on sale. Take a look at my roundup of the best deals on antivirus:

Best Prime Day antivirus deals in the US

Norton 360 Deluxe 2025 for 5 devices now $20 (-78%): Protect up to 5 devices with Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers AI scam protection, parental controls, dark web monitoring, VPN, malware protection, and a more modest 50GB cloud backup.

McAfee Total Protection 2025 for 5 devices now $25 (-83%): McAfee is another top antivirus software that performed exceptionally in our review - and with this 5 device license to McAfee Total Protection you can grab antivirus, scam protection, VPN, credential monitoring & management, and safe browsing support at a $95 discount.

McAfee+ Premium 2025 Unlimited now $30 (-80%): Another excellent deal for McAfee antivirus, this time with McAfee+ Premium covering unlimited devices. This might be slightly overkill for some, but at a discount this big you really can't go wrong. Get everything in the Total Protection package, but with the added bonus of full Identity Monitoring.

Bitdefender Total Security 2025 for 5 devices now $25 (-78%): Bitdefender has performed incredibly well both in our own review, and the testing done by the independent labs. The Total Security package provides you with advanced threat defense against malware, ransomware, crypto mining, phishing, fraud, and spam protection and much more across 5 devices.

Malwarebytes Premium 2025 for 5 devices now $30 (-50%): Malwarebytes is better known for being the software you turn to when your device is already infected, but they can also help prevent the infections in the first place with this great Malwarebytes Premium 2025 deal. This package detects and protects against malware, spyware, ransomware, secures your digital identity, and protects against malicious websites. You can read more about Malwarebytes in our full review.

Webroot Antivirus for PC Gamers 2025 now $20 (-40%): Webroot has a package designed for PC Gamers, and it is officially half price on Amazon. This software is designed to be low-impact so you can continue gaming at maximum performance with minimal interruptions. You can read more about how well Webroot performs in our full review!

Webroot Internet Security Plus 2025 for 3 devices now $30 (-50%): This lightweight internet protection package provides you with an identity theft protection and web security suite, complete with antivirus, phishing protection, with support across Windows, macOS, Apple iOS and Android.

Best Prime Day antivirus deals in the UK

Norton 360 Deluxe 2025 for 5 devices now £14 (-83%): Secure your PC, Mac, iPhone and Android with this comprehensive antivirus package than includes anti-malware, phishing and ransomware protection, secure VPN, password manager and a 50GB home cloud backup for all your most precious memories and important files.

Norton 360 Advanced 2025 for 10 devices now £25 (-83%): Protect 10 devices against scams and online fraud with Bitdefender's Genie AI-Powered Scam Protection Assistant, and use the identity restoration support service to resolve identity theft and identity fraud from start to finish. This package also includes real time antivirus threat protection and dark web monitoring.

McAfee Total Protection 2025 for 3 devices now £13 (-83%): Grab a full year of McAfee Total Protection plus 3 months extra free in this antivirus deal. Secure 3 devices with antivirus, scam protection, credential and identity monitoring, safe browsing tools, and more. Check out or full review for more details.

Bitdefender Total Security 2025 for 3 devices now £13 (-28%): Bitdefender's Total Security is an all encompassing package that provides antivirus protection and security tools across Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Keep yourself protected from fraud and phishy-links and secure your web traffic with the VPN (which unfortunately has a 200mb/day limit). If you want to know more, have a look through our full review.

CCleaner Pro Plus for 3 devices now £12 (-80%): While not an antivirus solution in and of itself, this CCleaner software comes packaged with Norton 360 AI tools to help keep your PC safe while CCleaner cleans up your files, frees up storage space, updates all your drivers and software to the latest version, and recovers file that you thought had been lost long ago.

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• Scammers offer £800 a day for TikTok tasks, then demand cash for fake training
• Young adults are falling into digital Ponzi schemes disguised as remote job offers
• Initial payments are bait - what follows is manipulation, pressure, and financial loss

As young adults across the UK search for flexible summer work, a troubling scam trend is emerging.

Criminals are targeting 16- to 25-year-olds with fake online job offers, many of which promise outrageous daily pay, sometimes up to £800, for tasks like liking and sharing videos on TikTok.

These scams appear professional at first, and victims often receive small payments initially, which creates a false sense of legitimacy.

From easy money to financial manipulation

The early cash is not income; it’s usually funds taken from previous victims in a kind of digital Ponzi scheme.

After the initial task-based rewards, scammers shift tactics, and the victims are asked to send money to access additional “training” or to “unlock” higher levels of earnings.

This pressure can escalate quickly, and in many cases, the transferred funds are funneled directly to criminal groups or used to lure more victims.

What seems like harmless engagement quickly turns into an operation designed for laundering money and manipulating trust.

According to Norton, these scams are becoming alarmingly common, with survey data showing that 29% of Brits were targeted by a scam in the first three months of 2025, and 18% of those were job-related.

The scam messages are tailored to appear professional, with one scam reading: “We offer flexible remote part-time or full-time positions… Daily earnings range from £300 to £800… guaranteed monthly income of no less than £8,000.”

Experts warn that the ability to spot the warning signs is now more important than ever.

Offers that promise high pay for minimal effort, require upfront payments, or insist on contacting strangers via messaging apps should raise immediate concerns.

Maintaining digital safety begins with having the best antivirus and best ransomware protection in place, particularly for those applying through social media or lesser-known platforms.

It is also very important for job seekers to protect personal information, and those who think they may have been targeted need to act quickly.

The best identity theft protection tools can help detect and respond to misuse of personal data, especially when scammers gain access to banking or identification details during the so-called application process.

That said, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and being alert to these schemes is the first line of defense.

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As two of the best antivirus providers in the world, having been around since the dawn of the internet, McAfee and Norton certainly deserve their stellar reputation. On the surface, they’re quite similar - offering superior online safety to both individuals and businesses.

But dig deeper and you’ll find quite a few differences that determine which brand’s solutions are the best for you in the face of the growing cyber threats. Individuals, businesses, and IT admins should understand both the similarities and distinctions between these two behemoths - for all of our sakes.

So give us your attention for the next few minutes as we compare the background, security features, system performance and resource usage, user interface and ease of use, and malware protection of McAfee and Norton’s digital safety platforms.

McAfee versus Norton: Background

McAfee is a leading cybersecurity company with a rich history dating back to the early days of personal computing, founded in 1987 by a Santa Clara computer programmer that the company is named after - John McAfee. Throughout its history, including being the first to have antivirus software, McAfee has been at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry, adapting to evolving threats and technologies.

Norton is an impressive competitor. Much like its counterpart, it has long had the reputation of a strong AV software provider and continues to beef up the security industry, even into its most basic packages. Founded by Peter Norton in 1982, Norton’s antivirus products have been developed and distributed by Symantec (now Gen Digital) since 1990.

Though the two companies offer overlapping tools, Norton focuses more on providing all-in-one digital security suites, for instance, integrating its LifeLock identity theft protection for premium users and a built-in VPN. On the other hand, McAfee combines flexible, multi-device, and identity protection with a user-friendly experience.

McAfee versus Norton: Security features

There’s no doubt about it - both providers are strong in core antivirus protection. They even have the same list of security features that no major self-respecting company in the cybersec business should be without.

This means potent real-time threat detection, a firewall, identity theft protection, a VPN, a password manager, and a set of capable parental controls. What they differ in is how they implement these features.

Real-time threat detection

McAfee boasts powerful protection against malware, which entails correctly identifying and stopping new threats that haven’t yet been officially identified or added to malware databases. To achieve this, it deploys machine learning technology that helps the AV vendor understand unique behaviors and patterns in new threats. However, it does sometimes have trouble leaving legit files alone, giving lots of false positives. It also didn’t do great against ransomware or phishing in our tests.

Norton’s malware-stopping abilities are in the same rank, catching dangerous files before they can launch, and demonstrating impressive results in third-party analyses. But, like its competitor, it also seems to struggle with false positives, which ultimately affects its total score. Unlike McAfee, it performs better in battling ransomware, while it’s not completely foolproof nor super quick to act there. As far as anti-phishing protection goes, Norton managed to block a very acceptable 95% of our test links.

Firewall

McAfee’s firewall boasts smart features that provide added security to your network, looking for threats sneaking in through your internet connection. It also keeps an eye on other machines connected to the same network as your computer (like mobile and smart devices) that can get infected this way.

Meanwhile, the firewall tool in Norton’s solutions protects you from incoming network attacks and prevents untrusted apps on your device from connecting to the outside world. It does all this without raising a single alert and is exceptionally configurable, right down to customizing how it handles specific traffic types.

Identity theft protection

Depending on the product and subscription you choose, McAfee has a long list of identity theft protections in place, including monitoring for suspicious activity, keeping tabs on your credit, its history, and locking it if necessary. It also offers automatic cleanups of personal data and online account information, and identity restoration after an ID theft with live agents to walk you through every step of the way. Yes, they even help you write letters, fill out forms, and provide you with correct phone numbers.

To provide similar service, Norton has partnered with LifeLock, the leading identity theft protection company and a veteran in both monitoring and recovering identities. This way, it provides credit monitoring, SSN and credit alerts, stolen wallet protection, identity lock, up to a million dollars compensation for lost funds and expenses, and assistance by identity theft restoration specialists.

VPN

McAfee offers unlimited VPN access in all of its McAfee+ subscriptions, routing your information through a secure server and assigning you a different IP address from your own, making it impossible for your online browsing activity to be logged, stored, tracked, or traced back to you. McAfee offers a kill switch (or Safe Reconnect in this case), over 7000 dedicated servers across 48 countries, an on/off switch to connect you to the nearest server by default, and settings that let you connect manually or automatically when you access the internet via WiFi or wired networks.

Norton offers unlimited VPN with some of its subscription packages, which fires up automatically when you’re connecting to compromised or unsecured networks or P2P. It also features split tunneling that allows you to decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t, a kill switch that blocks all internet access if the VPN drops, ad and tracker blocking, automatic reconnecting after device restart, VPN access to local devices on private networks, and the use of Norton VPN even if another VPN is active. It connects quickly to servers in 29 countries and achieves solid speeds.

Its worth noting that if a VPN is the deciding factor in your choice of antivirus, it might be best taking a look at our guide to the best VPN, as many VPNs bundled in antivirus packages don't quite match up to the likes of dedicated services such as NordVPN or SurfShark.

Password manager

Unsurprisingly, both McAfee and Norton offer a password manager with their subscriptions.

The former has it in the form of the True Key Password Manager, which allows for creating and syncing passwords across devices, and boasts strong multi-factor authentication - email, fingerprint, a second device, Windows Hello, and more. Still, it doesn’t offer general form-filling or secure password sharing. It can import stored passwords directly from Edge, Chrome, and a couple of the best password managers in LastPass and Dashlane. Generic CSV support might allow True Key to read logins from elsewhere.

The latter has a simple password management tool to organize your logins, generate secure credentials, and share them across all your devices. It is available as a Chrome and Firefox extension, with standalone Android and iOS apps for mobile users. Norton Password Manager also allows you to import existing data from Chrome, Firefox, and a few other popular password managers: 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane, and - McAfee True Key.

Parental controls

Finally, each has some form of parental control system in place. McAfee’s comes in the shape of a Safe Family feature in its family plans, and Norton has its Parental Control set of capabilities.

Specifically, McAfee’s Safe Family parental controls include blocking websites by content type, restricting access to specific apps, and limiting device access to particular times of the day. They’re also easily configurable and flexible. Furthermore, the tool lets you check the location of your kids’ devices on a map and receive alerts when they visit or leave specific areas.

Where Norton’s Parental Control tools are concerned, they go well above and beyond the usual, adding detailed content filtering, mobile GPS tracking, and in-depth monitoring. They allow you to keep track of anything from your kids’ search queries and the websites they visit to the videos they view. It also helps you manage their screen time and device usage, control app use, and more.

In summary, as far as the security features go, Norton has a slight advantage, primarily thanks to its LifeLock integration and a more comprehensive identity protection suite. This is especially true for the customers in the United States, where its identity restoration specialists are located. Having said that, McAfee doesn’t fall that far behind, with its bountiful platform filled with all sorts of impressive additional features.

McAfee versus Norton: System performance

For at least a decade, McAfee has scored highly (5.5 to 6/6) for the past 10 years, consistently demonstrating superior results in terms of protection, performance, and usability during tests conducted by third-party independent lab AV-Test, earning its ‘Top Product’ award.

At the same time, Norton’s various solutions have also scored top marks (5 to 6/6) from the same antivirus testing platform, also receiving a ‘Top Product’ award. This is because, like McAfee, it has minimal impact on system speed, even during installations or file transfers.

Another third-party lab that tested the performance of both brands’ products is AV-Comparatives, which has put McAfee Total Protection and Norton Antivirus Plus side-by-side with 17 other major names in the cybersecurity industry in its April 2025 test.

Here, McAfee took the lead position with an impact score of 2.6 (in this case, the lower score is better), receiving the ‘Advanced+’ mark. Norton did slightly less well but still got a 4.6, with the same mark. Between them, Avast and AVG share the second spot, with an impact score of 3.8.

In the long run however, McAfee has consistently outperformed not only Norton, but also all the other antivirus software in AV-Comparatives PC performance tests from April 2024, September 2024, and April 2025.

McAfee versus Norton: Ease of use

Speaking of user experience with antivirus platforms, a lot of it depends on how easy their interface is to navigate without appearing overly basic. And here as well, points go to both sides thanks to their modern and stylish apps, which are all decently user-friendly - though that might be subjective and depend on the level of expertise in all-things cybersecurity.

For instance, McAfee’s UI is very approachable and therefore ideal for non-technical users who might get confused and overburdened with all the advanced features. It emphasizes simplicity and device status, which is why it might be optimal for families or first-time users.

By contrast, Norton’s sophisticated, professional interface might scare away beginners, but advanced users will feel right at home with more depth and tons of hidden, complex features to tinker with. Be that as it may, the learning curve isn’t too steep, so casual users will get used to the platform in no time.

In general, McAfee appears to be more user-friendly and straightforward for newcomers to the space, whereas Norton is a bit more complex and tech-oriented, which experts will appreciate, but it still isn’t impossible for a novice to grasp.

McAfee versus Norton: Protection

A long list of security features, long-term presence in the digital sphere, ease of use, and minimal system impact are all fine and dandy, but witnessing an antivirus platform in action against real-world hazards is where you’ll determine its true value and distinction from the competition.

In the most recent round of malware protection testing by AV-Comparatives - for March 2025 - McAfee and Norton did famously, blocking 99.96% of all threats they encountered, although the former mistakenly reported more legit files as threats (15, which is considered ‘many’ false positives) than the latter (10, considered ‘few FPs’).

Concurrently, SE Labs gave both McAfee Total Protection and Norton LifeLock Norton 360 an ‘AAA’ rating, as it had a perfect 100% score in protection, legitimate accuracy, and total accuracy, with 0% false positives in its Home Endpoint Security tests.

McAfee versus Norton: Which is best?

All things considered, McAfee and Norton differ in a lot of ways, but they’re similar where it matters - efficiently protecting users against the malicious actors lurking in the darkest corners of the World Wide Web. Ultimately, choosing between them depends on your specific needs.

So, pick McAfee if you need user-friendly protection for multiple devices, or go for Norton if you want advanced features and prioritize identity protection (provided you’re in the US). Still, whichever you end up with, you’ll be in good hands.

Purchasing one of the best antivirus subscription is a great way to enhance your overall security and safeguard your devices from malware. However, picking a security suite that provides good value for money isn’t easy, considering the sheer number of options out there.

Norton and Bitdefender both stand out from the crowd with their excellent detection rates and a wide range of extra features that further boost your security. Still, there are a few differences between them that affect their overall price-to-quality ratio.

So, without further ado, let’s compare Bitdefender and Norton to see how they stack against each other in a head-to-head comparison.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Background

Bitdefender originally started as AVX (Antivirus Expert) in 1996, until it was rebranded into its current form by SOFTWIN in 2001. While its beginnings are certainly humble compared to industry giants like McAfee and Norton, it eventually built its name as a dependable and resource-light antivirus, dominating the market as the most popular mobile antivirus software in North and South America in 2022.

The name Norton is well-known in the cybersecurity industry. Created by Peter Norton back in 1982, this piece of software was almost on every computer during the early days of Windows, when Symantec took over the product and introduced a slew of nifty Auto-Protect features.

Today, these providers are fighting for the same piece of pie as they offer all-encompassing security suites for all types of budgets. That said, there are key differences that put one slightly ahead of the other in a few noteworthy areas.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Security features

Thankfully, both antivirus suites are very effective in terms of antivirus protection, so you won’t miss out on anything in terms of core protections, regardless of your choice.

Let’s see what these two antivirus solutions bring to the table:

Real-time threat detection

Bitdefender is known for its top-notch threat detection capabilities, with third-party tests confirming it scores over 98% in online and offline detection rates with only five false positives. In addition, it uses an Advanced Threat Defense, which detects zero-day threats in real time by monitoring processes and applications running on your device.

If the AV detects any suspicious activities, such as injecting code into regular processes or installing unauthorized drivers, the danger score will increase. Once it reaches a critical threshold, Bitdefender will block the offending application.

Norton is no slouch either. While it lags slightly in offline detection rate (97%) and has a far greater rate of false positives, its online detection rate exceeds 99%, according to third-party test results. Norton is also great in safeguarding users from ransomware, as well as in anti-phishing protection by blocking 95% of the test links we threw at it.

Firewall

A firewall is a critical piece of any antivirus suite as it safeguards your system from unauthorized access by blocking outbound and inbound connections under a predetermined set of rules.

Bitdefender’s firewall is rather configurable, and you can choose which applications to let through or block. That said, this functionality is available only in Bitdefender’s Total Security package and is not supported in Bitdefender’s antivirus suite for Mac devices.

Norton has no such limitations and offers a potent firewall that shields against all sorts of incoming attacks. It’s also heavily customizable, allowing you to configure how exactly it handles different traffic types.

Identity theft protection

While plenty of security suites nowadays include identity theft protection, Bitdefender isn’t one of them. Nonetheless, it offers a separate Digital Identity Protection service, which takes care of your digital identity for a price as low as $3.33/mo.

On the other hand, Norton provides identity theft protection via LifeLock in its highest Select subscription tier. With it, you get a full service that includes credit monitoring, identity lock, credit and SSN alerts, stolen wallet protection, and professional assistance by identity theft restoration experts. If things get completely messed up, you may also receive compensation for expenses up to $1 million.

VPN

Bitdefender offers a VPN in all its paid packages with a severely unfortunate twist – the standard version has a 200MB daily data cap. You’ll have to opt for the most expensive tier to remove this limitation, or purchase a $69.99/y premium VPN to add it onto a lower-priced tier.

While Bitdefender’s VPN can’t compete with dedicated VPN providers, it does include some nifty features like auto-connect, split tunneling (allows you to select which apps bypass the VPN connection), and a kill switch (disconnects you from the internet if VPN connection drops).

Norton, in contrast, offers an unlimited VPN option with all subscription tiers with the exception of its cheapest offering. It’s also packed with bells and whistles that make it similar in quality to what Bitdefender offers, and is capable of achieving speeds that even rival some premium VPN services out there.

Its worth noting that if a VPN is the deciding factor in your choice of antivirus, it might be best taking a look at our guide to the best VPN, as many VPNs bundled in antivirus packages don't quite match up to the likes of dedicated services such as NordVPN or SurfShark.

Password manager

No modern cybersecurity suite is complete without a password manager, and both Bitdefender and Norton rise to the occasion.

Integrated straight into the dashboard, Bitdefender allows you to sync passwords across all the devices where you installed the app and includes nifty features like auto-fill, auto-save, a password wallet, and an easy-to-use password generator. Notably, it doesn’t support two-factor authentication, making it seem somewhat limited in comparison to top dedicated password managers.

With Norton’s offering, you can share credentials across different devices, with the added benefit of being available as a standalone service in the form of browser extensions or iOS and Android apps.

Both allow you to import data from web browsers and other password managers such as Chrome, Firefox, Bitwarden, 1Password, and others.

Parental controls

Bitdefender has a nice set of parental control features that are very straightforward to set up. The options are plentiful: you can track all the basics like screen time, applications used, and check which websites individual juniors are visiting. Moreover, you can blacklist or whitelist websites and block content in accordance to categories like weapons, suicide, and so on.

Norton’s parental control includes everything that Bitdefender offers, with a more-than-welcome addition of mobile GPS tracking. Using geo-location, it’s possible to keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts, and even set up geographic limits and areas of interest to receive notifications if the child goes out of bounds or visits a place you designated as a no-go.

Extra features

While some security extras overlap, there are a number of unique functions each provider brings to the table.

Bitdefender sweetens the deal with a file shredder that allows you to permanently erase files, a vulnerability scan that grants you insight into the potential vulnerabilities of the app, and microphone and webcam protection.

Right now, Norton has a SafeCam option, which protects your webcam from hackers, but it doesn’t protect your microphone like Bitdefender does. It’s not a big deal, though, as Norton bridges the gap with other powerful features, including Dark Web Monitoring that helps you uncover if any of your private information is up for sale on the dark web. Moreover, there is a cloud backup functionality (the amount of storage will depend on the subscription tier) that will come in handy to prevent data loss.

Lastly, both providers include similar private browsers for more browsing security and safer online purchases.

Peeking in the bag of goodies doesn’t make it any easier to decide which antivirus suite offers more. Puzzling limitations found with Bitdefender, like the daily VPN data cap, are already somewhat of a ridicule in tech circles, and basics like a firewall not being available on MacOS are another huge minus that alone are enough to give Norton a slight edge. Add on top of that more powerful parental controls and helpful additions like cloud storage, and it’s only fair to give Norton the victory in the “battle of features”.

Bitdefender versus Norton: System performance

Bitdefender won’t make much of a dent on your system resources and is famous for being one of the most lightweight antivirus programs out there. During a February 2025 test conducted by AV-Test, it earned the “Top Product” award, scoring a 100 for both performance and usability.

Interestingly, in the April 2025 test by AV-Comparatives, Bitdefender didn’t perform as well, receiving an impact score of 25. Mind you, this isn’t good, as a lower impact score is better.

Norton also earned the “Top Product” award from AV-Test (showing identical results as Bitdefender), but swept the floor with most other antivirus solutions during the AV-Comparatives test with an impact score of 4.6.

While we experienced no performance issues with Bitdefender, the AV-Comparatives test is enough to prove that Norton is one of the fastest in the industry. So, Norton takes the cake in terms of overall performance.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Ease of use

Bitdefender’s interface is well-organized and easy to navigate, with suite groups divided into just three tabs. You’ll be able to access all the main features, such as threat prevention in the ‘Protection’ tab, while the VPN and other features like password managers are grouped under the ‘Privacy’ tab. The rest is easy to access in the ‘Utilities’.

Another positive is the option to customize your dashboard by adding all sorts of quick actions, so you can fire up your favorite tools even faster.

All of this makes Bitdefender comprehensive enough for advanced users and super easy to use for the less technically inclined.

Norton is a bit more sophisticated, which may be an issue for beginners. This doesn’t mean the app isn’t functional, as it’s actually well-designed, but it caters more toward experienced users. A good example of this is the fact that some of Norton’s features, like Dark Web Monitoring and parental controls, are not a part of the main app interface. Once you get used to it, it’s not much of a problem.

In conclusion, Bitdefender is a more user-friendly solution, which drastically increases its overall appeal and makes it a more approachable choice.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Protection

Of course, all of the features above are a welcome addition, but an antivirus lives and dies by how good its protection does the job.

In AV-Comparatives tests from March 2025, Bitdefender and Norton both did well, with the former beating out its rival by a literal hair in terms of offline detection and online protection rate. While Norton scored marginally higher in online detection rate, it did churn out double the amount of false positives (ten compared to five).

Either way, these detection and protection rates place Bitdefender and Norton into the upper echelons of home antivirus software, meaning you can’t go wrong by choosing either. However, Bitdefender can be considered slightly more precise simply due to the lower number of false positives.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Pricing

The amount of cash you’ll have to part with also plays a major role in choosing an antivirus. Norton may be more feature-packed, but it also comes at a higher price point.

The lowest tier is AntiVirus Plus, costing $29.99 per year and supporting one device. For $39.99 per year, Standard protection extends the coverage to three devices, while Deluxe covers five devices for $49.99. The complete Select package costs $99.99 per year and supports up to ten devices.

When it comes to Bitdefender, it has a limited free tier, with the first premium upgrade Antivirus Plus costing $9.99 per year for the protection of one device. For $19.99 per year, you get more features and support for three devices in the Total Security package. If you need all features and support for up to 10 devices, you can opt for Premium Security for $79.99 per year.

Bitdefender versus Norton: Which is best?

When comparing two robust antivirus solutions like Bitdefender and Norton, the choice is anything but easy. Yet, the fact that both are equally effective in protecting against malware and other sorts of digital threats means that the details and personal preference will ultimately decide which software is for you.

If you need a simple and affordable solution that gets the job done with a minimum amount of add-ons and customization, then Bitdefender will be at home on your computer. But if a more comprehensive set of features is what you’re after and are willing to spare an extra $20-30 for the pleasure, then Norton will likely be the better fit.

After the Ghibli-style mania and AI dolls frenzy, a new viral ChatGPT trend threatens everyone's privacy. People are using the chatbot to do "reverse location search" from photos.

This latest trend kicked off among social media users after OpenAI released o3 and o4-mini AI models. These versions are the first to integrate image reasoning capabilities that, paired with the chatbot's ability to search the web, have turned ChatGPT into a powerful and easy-to-use location-guess tool.

Virtually anyone can simply upload a photo into the LLM, ask where it was taken, and get a mostly reliable answer, even when you strip the location data attached to your pictures. This is an obvious privacy and security concern. From stalking to hacking and doxing, we asked some experts what's at stake and how to stay safe in the face of this new viral AI trend.

Another privacy and security nightmare?

As a cybersecurity expert at Surfshark, Miguel Fornés pointed out, there's nothing really new in reverse image search.

"However, AI models pushed the limits even further, becoming your private, and sometimes unethical, OSINT analyst," said Fornés.

According to Fornés, the main risks are linked to the "misuse of the seemingly endless capabilities of AI models." People can upload the picture you share on your Instagram stories or feed to figure out where you live, work, or are in real-time, for example.

And, if before, you had to work hard to find your answer, ChatGPT and similar tools, other AI models have made this task straightforward and, most crucially, something fun to do.

Commenting on this point, Norton's Director of AI & Innovation, Iskander Sanchez-Rola, told TechRadar: "It’s a mix of timing and tech maturity. AI has reached a point where it can combine visual recognition with contextual reasoning, and more people are becoming aware that these tools can analyze images in surprisingly detailed ways.

One of the biggest concerns is that these models do not need picture metadata to successfully extract the needed information.

As Ethan Mollick, a professor who researches AI, noted in a post on X, ChatGPT's latest model was able to guess where his picture was taken despite having removed the location info from the picture. "Between its smart guessing and its ability to zoom into images, to do web searches, and read text, the results can be very freaky," he wrote.

Besides people using the tool, ChatGPT may also share this data with third parties. Sensitive location details could also be leaked in data breaches.

According to Proton's Head of Account Security, Eamonn Maguire, this is yet another attempt by AI companies to harvest more photos and information, including locations, architectural styles, and environments from around the world, to improve their models.

He said, "Almost every week, we see a new trend. These trends are highly engaging, driving a growing public interest in understanding AI's capabilities and limitations. More cynically, there seems to be a concerted effort by AI companies to create these viral trends that each provide a different dataset for their models to work with."

How to stay safe

As mentioned earlier, ChatGPT isn't the only AI model able to do reverse image location. For example, Google Gemini has had similar image analysis features for about a year. Claude and MOLMO can also perform similar tasks. While other chatbots such as Grok, Claude, Perplexity, or DeepSeek are now catching up.

The danger here is that, if with the Ghibli or AI dool viral trends, you can simply stop sharing your face with the chatbot, anyone can upload the photos you post on social media to figure out your exact location.

Worse still, this may be only the start of these creepy social manias. This means you need to actively take some steps to stay safe online in the face of AI-powered trends. Below are all the experts' tips to stay safe:

• Remove metadata: You should use tools that strip image metadata (including GPS coordinates) before posting. But remember: don’t rely on this alone.
• Blur or crop identifying details: As a rule of thumb, you should hide personal details such as house numbers, license plates, ID cards, or anything else that could identify a location or individual. Pay special attention to identifiables that may be in the background.
• Avoid real-time photos: Don't post in real-time if your location security is important, especially when you’re traveling or you are somewhere private.
• Be mindful of reflective surfaces: Windows, mirrors, and screens can reveal sensitive details you didn’t intend to capture. Double-check for any identifiables in those reflections.
• Beware of high-resolution or raw pictures/videos: The better the quality, the easier if for small information in the background to be revelaed by AI capabilities to zoom into pictures.
• Use secure editing apps: Remember to opt for privacy-conscious tools for blurring or redacting content. You should especially avoid apps that require uploading your photos to unencrypted cloud servers.
• Review privacy permissions: You should consider limiting the users who can see the images you post on your social media account by heading to the platform's settings.

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• If you want to turn yourself into an AI doll, at least do it safely 
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It's official, viral AI-generated images are the hottest internet trend people cannot resist right now. Everyone wants their own Ghibli-style or AI doll version of themselves, friends, or family.

We don't know what the new trendy style will be next, but we could assume there's likely going to be more. A nightmare for our privacy and security, a gift to AI companies and hackers.

I understand that most people aren't willing to stop sharing their faces and missing out on the fun of these viral AI trends. Nonetheless, it's crucial to do it safely, at least. If you don't believe me, then here's what experts advise on how to minimize the risks.

The internet never forgets

The first step to safely interacting with ChatGPT and similar tools is to understand the privacy and security implications that come with it.

Perhaps because of the conversational tone characterizing AI chatbots, it's easy to forget you're talking to a machine that will record your responses. Therefore, you might end up oversharing explicit information about your life.

Yet, "The internet never forgets," Miguel Fornés, a cybersecurity expert at Surfshark, one of the best VPN services on the market, told me. "This information could be used against us in the case of a data leak, like impersonating us, answering our 'security questions,' or preparing a targeted phishing attack or scam."

Also, according to the Director of AI & Innovation at Norton, Iskander Sanchez-Rola, behind these apparently harmless and Insta-worthy viral AI trends, "there are many very real, hidden risks that many people don’t realize," he said.

For starters, facial recognition uses technology and biometrics, typically through AI, to identify human faces. So, "When you voluntarily upload a photo, which is high-quality facial data, to create an AI-generated action figure or doll, this could be used to train facial recognition systems," Sanchez-Rola explains.

Other risks involve data harvesting, including your sensitive metadata like location or devices used, that AI companies can use to build a better digital profile about your persona to sell it to advertisers. If leaked, hackers can also use these high-resolution images to create deepfakes or other unauthorized content.

This is why experts recommend avoiding sharing highly personal information that can be used to identify you, such as your full legal name and job, as well as other confidential information like your kids' names, financial details, or medical data.

Similarly, you should refrain from uploading high-resolution pictures or videos of yourself, as these could give away important biometrics that you may use for authentication. Be wary also about the surroundings included in your picture to avoid sharing sensitive details like where you live or work.

All in all, Eamonn Maguire, Head of Account Security at Proton, told me: "The safest way of engaging with these types of trends would be to use photos that are already in the public domain, with unrealistic information, but that still is beside the point of why these trends are 'interesting' or 'cool'."

Assume your data could be leaked

As we have seen, one of the major risks of engaging in viral AI trends is the possibility that your conversational history could be breached by malicious or unintended parties.

To stay safe, according to Fornés at Surfshark, you should always assume your data could be leaked, and so be prepared for it. He then advises taking the following steps:

• Protect your account. This includes activating the 2FA feature, using strong and unique passwords for each service, and avoiding logging in on shared computers.
• Minimize the real data you provide to the AI model. Fornés recommends using nicknames or alternative data instead. You should also consider using an alternative ID just for dealing with AI models.
• Use the tool skeptically and responsibly. You should use the AI model without history or conversational memory features activated and in incognito mode, whenever possible.

Know what you're signing for

The power of generative AI models is that they can learn from both the internet and users' conversations. Whether webscraping – the practice of collecting information from the web – is subject to strict limitations under GDPR and similar laws, AI companies are free to use all the information you willingly share with their services.

That's why it is crucial to understand how the provider will use your data before starting to engage with its AI chatbot. How? By reading the service's privacy policy before starting to upload your face and other personal data.

I know, this could be a long and daunting task. Experts then suggest starting from what data is collected to determine if that includes unnecessarily sensitive data. The next step is then understand how this data will be used, shared, and for how long it will be retained.

Fornés from Surfshark recommends being cautious of vague phrases like "for business purposes" or "to improve services" that do not provide further details.

Sanchez-Rola at Norton also suggests checking whether your chatbot permanently deletes or anonymizes your photos and data after you create your AI doll, or if these are stored for a different purpose.

He also recommends reviewing the service's settings to stop data from being used for training whenever possible. As with any other application, you should also minimize the permissions you grant to the app and limit them to those strictly necessary.

Lastly, "To stay safer while following these trends, try not to jump into new apps without thinking it through. First, check if a service you already trust offers something similar. Trends can be fun, but they might come with long-term privacy risks," said Sanchez-Rola.

Maguire from Proton also suggests using local AI models whenever possible. These LLMs are, in fact, considered to be more private as your data should never leave your device.

He said: "Ultimately, the only way to keep your data safe is not to share it with AI tools, and to keep it encrypted and out of the hands of big tech."

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• Norton is adding AI-powered scam protection directly to its plans
• The tools cover SMS messages, emails, web browsing, and more
• It comes free for all with purchased Norton plans

Norton is adding new AI tools to its solutions, to help its customers better protect from internet scams.

The antivirus giant has announced AI-powered Scam Protection and AI-powered Scam Protection Pro, which it says provide “advanced AI protection in all the usual hotbeds of scams: texts, phone calls, emails, and web.”

Norton says that AI-powered Scam Protection analyzes “the meaning of words, not just links” to spot hidden scam patterns that even the most trained eye can miss. Norton’s most comprehensive plan, Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus, also offers Scam support and Reimbursement coverage.

Fighting AI with AI

The company introduced Norton AI-powered Scam Protection back in 2023, to help users analyze suspicious messages and images in real-time. Now, by building it directly into Norton plans, the company wants to build a “set it and forget it” solution that works proactively to keep people safer.

Whoever bought Norton’s Cyber Safety products on desktop, or mobile, (including Norton AntiVirus Plus, Norton Mobile Security, and Norton 360), will get the AI-powered Scam Protection for free.

Depending on the set of purchased features, users can expect the AI to help scan SMS messages, internet websites, calls, emails, and more. They will also get an AI-powered “scam assistant”, which integrates the Norton AI-powered Scam Protection app to provide “instant guidance on scams and suspicious offers”.

The tools are available in the US now, with other regions soon to follow.

For Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen, adding AI to cybersecurity solutions is a logical step, since crooks have been using AI in their attacks for a while now.

“Scammers are tapping into AI to speed up their schemes and make them more believable,” Elias said. “Couple that with the sheer volume of emails, texts, and calls we’re getting every day; it’s clear we need technology on our side to help us avoid becoming the next scam victim.”

In the near future, Norton says it will also integrate deepfake and scam detection into AI-supported PCs.

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We’re all hopelessly online these days, but our kids are more connected to the internet than any generation that came before them. Of course, that connectivity can come at the cost of privacy. It’s natural for parents to want to protect their children and their privacy before sending them out to explore the Internet, but do you have all the tools necessary? If you’re not using Norton VPN Ultimate, you could be missing out on incredible technology that can help keep your family safe when browsing the internet.

Protecting your family’s privacy online

It’s common these days for our personal information to be available online, but such lax security comes with some legitimate threats. Bad actors are always looking for your family’s data and can use easily tracked information on your favorite devices to steal your identity, financial information, and more. Norton Ultra VPN is an award-winning VPN service that ensures your family is safe and secure online.

Robust toolsets like IP Masking, Data Encryption, and Antivirus Protection can help provide anonymity in today’s hyper-connected digital landscape. With a VPN, targeted ads are a thing of the past, as identifying information about your family’s location and browsing history becomes encrypted.

Masking your location with a VPN can also have the added benefit of granting you access to your favorite content from your favorite streaming service. No more losing access to your kids’ favorite show when traveling to a different region!

Parental Controls put you in charge

Norton VPN Ultimate offers an impressive array of parental controls that put you in charge of determining your family’s online activity. Relying on online filters like safe search controls can be limiting, and don’t prevent your children from directly accessing inappropriate websites. With Norton VPN Ultimate, you can block unsuitable websites and prevent your children from accessing unapproved content.

Accessing content is only the tip of the iceberg, though. Norton VPN Ultimate features a well-rounded screen time feature, giving you the power to control not just what your children see, but for how long. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends less than two hours of screen time a day for children, and even less for those under the age of six. We all know our kids aren’t keeping to those guidelines on their own, and it can be time-consuming as a parent to count down every minute of screen time our kids are exposed to. Norton VPN Ultimate’s screen time feature gives us the power to monitor and limit screen times as we see fit, in addition to providing all these other privacy and safety tools.

All-in-one data protection, antivirus protection, and family set tools? Yes, please.

You could sit and download a plethora of apps and software to cover all of the devices your family uses to browse, game, and shop online. Or, you could save yourself the hassle of trying to remember all those passwords and just sign up for a Norton VPN Ultimate to provide you and your family with peace of mind. Norton VPN Ultimate’s toolkit is stacked with everything you need to protect your family from the ills of the internet, including robust antivirus and malware detection, data encryption, parental controls, and so much more. You can try this one-stop-shop VPN right now, and rest easy knowing Norton VPN Ultimate is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. Keeping your family safe online has never been easier.

• AI continues to play a dual role in cybersecurity
• Lumma Stealer rises 1154%, marking a new malware peak
• Outdated systems remain vulnerable to ransomware

In its recent Q3 2024 Threat Report, Gen highlights alarming trends that reveal the rising complexity of cyber threats, highlighting that as cybercriminals refine their methods, the dual role of AI becomes evident.

While AI can be weaponized to enhance attacks by proliferating realistic deepfakes and highly convincing phishing campaigns, AI tools also serve as a crucial defense mechanism.

With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect, awareness and proactive measures are essential for safeguarding sensitive information.

Social engineering tactics take center stage

Cybercriminals increasingly use social engineering tactics to deceive millions into compromising their security. Quarter-over-quarter, there has been a 614% rise in “Scam-Yourself Attacks” which use psychological manipulation to trick individuals into unintentionally installing malware on their own devices.

Attackers will use fake tutorials shared on popular platforms like YouTube that claim to provide free access to paid software, enticing users to follow the instructions. However, the victims inadvertently download malicious programs instead.

Another tactic, known as ClickFix Scams, deceives victims by presenting fake technical solutions and then instructing users to copy and paste malicious code into their command prompts, unknowingly granting attackers control of their systems.

Similarly, fake CAPTCHA prompts have emerged disguised as standard verification steps, prompting users to paste harmful code into their systems. Fake updates that present themselves as essential software updates are being sent to users loaded with malware disguised to gain administrative privileges once installed.

Data-stealing malware and ransomware has seen an uptick with information stealers rising by 39%. The Lumma Stealer for example increased its activity by 1154%.

Ransomware attacks also surged, with a 100% increase in risk ratio, with the Magniber ransomware leading these attacks by exploiting unpatched software to gain access. Outdated systems, such as Windows 7, remain particularly vulnerable, however Gen has worked with governments to release free decryption tools like the Avast Mallox Ransomware Decryptor.

Mobile devices also suffered rises in data-stealing malware attacks, which grew by 166% during Q3/2024. A new spyware strain, NGate, emerged, capable of cloning bank card data to withdraw money or conduct unauthorized transactions. Meanwhile, banking malware, such as Rocinante, increased by 60%, with new strains like TrickMo and Octo2 surfacing.

In terms of delivery, malicious SMS messages remain the primary delivery method. Telemetry from Norton Genie shows that smishing (malicious SMS scams) accounts for 16.5% of observed attacks, followed by lottery scams (12%) and phishing emails/texts (9.6%).

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Norton, the popular antivirus solution, has just revamped its VPN offering, making it a much more secure choice for Mac users by adding a kill switch.

In August, we reported how the upgraded Norton VPN may still risk Apple users' privacy. The issue was the VPN service still lacked a kill switch feature for both its Mac and iOS apps, making it vulnerable to data leaks.

Now, four months later, this crucial security feature finally landed on its Mac VPN app. Support for its iOS application is also expected to come soon. In addition to a new macOS kill switch, the provider has simplified its naming, becoming simply ‘Norton VPN’ across three-tier plans.

New security features, new name

All the best VPN apps include a kill switch. It's a guarantee that, if the VPN connection fails due to some technical or connectivity issues, the internet gets blocked. This is crucial from a privacy and security point of view as it prevents you from accidentally sending identifiable data outside of the encrypted VPN tunnel.

Every platform has its own tools for making this happen, with Apple devices notoriously requiring a more technical workaround. Norton VPN has offered this feature across its Windows and Android VPNs for a while, and MacOS is finally catching up, with iOS support also on the horizon.

When asked about this lack of support in August, Norton's spokesperson told TechRadar that macOS and iOS apps utilize the operating systems' built-in IPsec client. These use a feature of the operating system called Connect-on-Demand, which forces the VPN to be automatically turned on whenever the device initiates any network activity.

At that time, the provider ensured the team was working on a fix to make the kill switch behavior "consistent across our supported platforms." Now, they finally found it.

While its iPhone and iPad VPN apps still lack kill switch support at the time of writing, this is expected to be added soon. "Kill Switch on iOS is on the roadmap as part of planned product updates that are coming soon to further enhance Norton’s comprehensive VPN offering," Norton's spokesperson could confirm.

It's not just a new security feature that's arrived though. Norton VPN has changed its name again. After passing from Norton Secure VPN to Norton Ultra VPN in August, the provider has decided to simplify its branding even further by becoming simply Norton VPN.

Commenting on this decision, Norton said: "The new naming structure is clearer and distinguishes the new Norton VPN lineup of products from the old standalone Norton Secure VPN offering. Secondly, it makes it easier for people to understand the level of protection they’re getting from the three tiers available."

The provider now offers three plans, all including the new kill switch feature.

Norton VPN Standard (formerly Norton Secure VPN) is the most basic product, covering up to one device only.

Norton VPN Plus (ex Norton Ultra VPN) raises device allowance to up to five. It also adds a built-in AI-powered scam detection, malware blocker, virus removal, password manager, dark web alert, and even 10GB of secure cloud backup.

Former Norton Ultra VPN Plus becomes Norton VPN Ultimate and extends coverage to 10 devices and 50GB of backup while adding some advanced parental control features.

The August update saw Norton VPN add worldwide content access, service compatibility upgrades, more protocols across all three product tiers, and a new no-log independent audit to its arsenal. This latest addition sets Norton VPN on a path hopefully to better heights for its secure service offering.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

The computer or smartphone in your hand was a significant investment - so to protect it, it is advisable to purchase a comprehensive security suite like Norton 360 Deluxe.

And good news - this Cyber Monday, this platform service is available at a greatly reduced price, so instead of the regular cost of $119.99 for a year, you can pay only $29.99.

We've also rounded up the best Cyber Monday antivirus deals in one simple guide.

Computer protection for less than $30 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR? Yes, that is correct

Norton 360 has become my go-to security suite for protecting my digital life. It’s impressive how it combines powerful antivirus protection with features that make a difference in my day-to-day online activities. The antivirus engine is top-notch, catching everything from pesky viruses to more severe threats like ransomware. It's reassuring to know that I have such robust protection in place.

One of my favorite features is the secure VPN. I love how it encrypts my internet connection, especially when I'm out and about using public Wi-Fi. It makes me feel safe knowing that my online activities are private, allowing me to access content that might be restricted in my region. It truly expands my browsing experience and entertainment choices.

I can’t overlook the built-in password manager, either. It’s a lifesaver! I no longer stress forgetting or using the same passwords for multiple accounts—this tool generates complex passwords and securely stores them. Knowing my sensitive information is safe gives me great peace of mind.

As a parent, parental controls are a big plus. I can easily monitor my kids’ online activities and set limits on their screen time. This helps ensure they have a safer online experience while allowing them to enjoy the internet.

The cloud backup feature is another crucial part for me. I’ve had moments of panic during hardware failures, and knowing that my important files are backed up in the cloud is a huge relief. It takes away the fear of losing precious memories or important documents.

Norton 360 works seamlessly across all my devices—my PC, Mac, smartphone, and tablet—so I can stay protected no matter where I am or what I’m doing. Sharing a single subscription with my family makes it even more convenient.

Overall, Norton 360 has helped me feel more secure while online. Whether streaming a show, shopping, or just catching up on the news, I can do it all confidently, knowing I have a solid protective shield.

Norton isn't a name you'd associate with a VPN right away. Antivirus, sure, anti-malware, absolutely. But, despite having a VPN for a fair while now, it's not something that's shouted about – until now.

Norton VPN has entered the area of impressive Black Friday VPN deals, too, and might be exactly what you're looking for if you're hunting for a bargain. Offering a first year of coverage for $9.99, you can access a year of Norton VPN security for only 83 cents per month.

Why Norton?

Norton is a household name in terms of security, so it's no surprise that the VPN doesn't pull punches when it comes to security, either. I'd be lying if I said it was the best VPN on the block – though I'm hopeful that another round of testing should show strong improvements over the last time we put it through its paces.

The key with Norton is it does all the key things right. Strong security, capable speeds, and useful features that'll give your online privacy a boost. One thing to consider is in terms of antivirus extras – which are an increasingly common add-on with VPNs these days – we always recommend a separate solution to shore up what your VPN can offer, and there are few better solutions than Norton.

Norton 360 Select Plus is your reliable guardian for a safe digital life. It protects your computers, smartphones, and tablets from viruses, malware, and online threats. You can feel secure with features like a secure VPN for online privacy and 250GB of cloud backup for important files.

This Black Friday, Norton is offering this software at 75% off for a yearly subscription. Instead of paying $189.99, it's just $69.99.

We've also rounded up the best Cyber Monday antivirus deals in one simple guide.

A Black Friday special your electronic devices will love

Norton 360 Select Plus is like a trusted guardian for your digital world. It provides comprehensive security to safeguard your life and identity online. With its robust real-time threat protection, you can feel at ease knowing that malware and other online threats are actively blocked as you browse, bank, or shop.

One of the standout features is the secure VPN, which ensures your online activity remains private — perfect for late-night browsing sessions or when you connect to public Wi-Fi. Imagine your peace of mind as you stream your favorite shows or make online purchases, confident that your personal information is shielded from prying eyes.

Additionally, Norton 360 Select Plus offers identity theft protection that goes beyond just monitoring; it provides restoration support if the worst does happen. If your identity is compromised, you won’t have to navigate that overwhelming process alone—Norton is there to help you every step of the way.

With everything it offers, Norton 360 Select Plus empowers you to navigate the digital landscape confidently. Thus, you can focus on enjoying your online experiences without constant worry about security. It’s more than just software; it’s a reliable partner in your online journey, ensuring you and your loved ones can explore the digital world safely.

• Norton has unveiled its Small Business Premium plan
• Provides SMB teams with antivirus, firewall, VPN, password manager, and cloud backup
• Plan also offers 24/7 support, and financial and social media monitoring

Norton, one of the best antivirus providers around today, has launched a new offering for small businesses looking to protect themselves.

Recent government statistics have claimed small businesses account for 36% of the UKs economic turnover, but are being increasingly targeted by cyber attacks, with 58% reporting an attack or breach in the last year.

Norton’s new Small Business Premium plan is built to help weather the storm while also keeping them running in the event of a breach.

Small Business Premium from Norton

The plan provides a suite of security solutions to help protect businesses from a wide range of threats, while also offering support in financial and social media monitoring. Beyond this, the plan also offers 24/7 business tech support not only for security issues, but also for your devices, network, and software.

Small Business Premium is primarily an antivirus, as may be expected, but also includes a firewall, a VPN to keep your networks secure, along with a password manager for encrypted credential storage, and a 500GB cloud backup to keep your data safe in the event of a ransomware attack or system crash.

Suspicious transactions and unauthorized logins to social media are constantly monitored and immediately alerted to prevent fraud, scams and account takeovers. It doesn’t require any security expertise to install and quietly protects devices in the background.

The plan can be customized to support 10 or 20 devices, with the 10 device plan at £149.99 for the first year, and the 20 device plan at £199.99 for the first year. For entrepreneurs or smaller teams, the standard Small Business tier can cater to 6, 10, or 20 devices, and is £ £54.99, £69.99, and £99.99 respectively for the first year.

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New research has revealed UK shoppers are increasingly putting themselves and their data at risk in return for bigger bargains in the holidays, with 61% giving away personal information to receive discounts when shopping.

Overwhelmingly, Brits have tried to snag discount codes through sign-ups, with 70% of us answering surveys or subscribing to a mailing list in return for a price reduction, the survey by Norton found.

Our data is pretty cheap too, with almost half of us (48%) willing to give our email and phone number for a discount of 25% or less.

A risky move

The report found shoppers are most willing to divulge their email address, with 95% of respondents admitting to surrendering emails, compared to 64% giving away their name, and 24% even willing to give marketing companies their home address.

As is always the case with strangers accessing your data, this presents a significant risk of identity theft or fraud, so think carefully about the true cost of those discounted slippers.

“Shopping for deals isn’t a bad idea, but sharing your information can be incredibly dangerous as anything personal can be tied back to you and may end up in the wrong hands,” said Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Director of Innovation for Norton.

The study showed that shoppers are concerned about the risks, with 67% of shoppers concerned about becoming victims of cybercrime, and 51% are worried about their personal details being compromised in sophisticated shopping scams.

There is certainly cause for concern too, with an increase of 53% in the last year of malicious ad campaigns - often distributed around holiday seasons for fake sales or discounts. Malicious software distributed through malvertising has seen a staggering 227% rise in the same time period.

To mitigate the risks, Norton advises using an alternative email address or creating one specifically for sign ups, and to be vigilant and do your research before giving away any details.

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There are few bigger names in antivirus and security than Norton, and that makes Norton 360 Deluxe one of the obvious choices for anyone who needs affordable, all-encompassing home security.

And with AV, scam protection, a VPN and dark web monitoring all included in this product alongside a bundle of other features, it’s easy to see why Norton’s tools continue to prove popular.

But with dozens of other products offering similar functionality, including competing security suites from big names like Bitdefender and Sophos, it’s worth taking a deep dive into the app to discover if Norton 360 Deluxe is still your best option – or if it’s been overtaken by more ambitious rivals.

The latest feature to arrive in Norton 360 Deluxe is AI-powered Scam Protection – a timely addition given how many people are understandably caught out by sophisticated and compelling online scams. This AI-powered feature is designed to cut through the noise and give users clear, straightforward answers about suspicious messages.

Elsewhere, Norton 360 Deluxe includes a familiar range of features. Real-time threat protection, a smart firewall, secure VPN and password manager are all normal additions to a home security suite, and Norton 360 goes further by including parental controls, dark web monitoring, webcam protection and more.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Pricing

Norton 360 is available in four different tiers – 360 Deluxe is the third option available. It costs $49.99 for one year of access that protects five PCs, Macs, tablets or phones, and 360 Deluxe includes antivirus, malware, ransomware and hacking protection, AI-powered Scam Protection, a password manager, a VPN, Dark Web monitoring and parental controls.

It also includes deepfake protection, although that feature is only available for Windows devices that have a Copilot+ license and Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor.

It’s a comprehensive selection, but there are options if you don’t need every feature or if you’d like to save money. And while you do get cloud backup, at this level you only get 50GB – hardly enough to back up your entire PC.

Norton 360 Standard protects three devices, only includes 2GB of cloud backup and doesn’t include parental controls and it costs $39.99 per year – it’s a more affordable option if you don’t have children and if you don’t need any cloud storage.

The entry-level product, Norton AntiVirus Plus, protects a single device and doesn’t include a VPN or Dark Web Monitoring. It costs $29.99 for an annual subscription, and it remains a capable entry-level security tool.

If you decide that 360 Deluxe doesn’t offer enough functionality for you, then you can pay $99.99 annually for Norton 360 Select Plus with LifeLock. You’ll get protection for 10 devices, 250GB of cloud backup, and a host of identity protections including a privacy monitor, identity theft protection, stolen wallet protection, social security alerts, credit monitoring and up to $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement.

For busy families who want a complete level of coverage, including additions that protect identities and finances, that’s the best choice. And if you explore Norton’s plans beyond the 360 range, you’ll delve into specific products – like security for gamers or a dedicated VPN – and products designed for businesses rather than consumers.

One thing to bear in mind, though – you’ll have to enter payment details even if you just want to try Norton’s 30-day free trial, so remember to cancel that if you don’t want to continue using the product beyond that date.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Interface

Norton’s interface is good, even if it’s a little busier than some products – an app like Bitdefender Total Security is cleaner and potentially less overwhelming at first glance.

Load Norton 360 Deluxe and you’re greeted with an update about your traffic status, a control panel that grants quick access to scans, scam protection, the secure VPN, private browser and more, and another tab with alerts.

On the left-hand side there’s a navigation panel that opens up the app’s various modules and settings, and at the bottom of the main window is an unsightly advert that invites you to upgrade to Norton Utilities Ultimate. There’s even a link to the Store where you can upgrade to various other Norton utilities if you feel the need to invest in extra functionality.

The interface is busy and the upselling is unpleasant, but there’s nothing truly bad here – it’ll just take a little while to remember where everything is.

In the Security menu you’ll find options to scan, deploy cloud backup, configure parental controls and open the password manager, and you can dive into the advanced settings menu to activate or remote specific features. The Performance menu is a little sparse – it just includes PC cleanup tools – and the Identity area only includes a link to the Dark Web monitoring module.

In the Privacy part of the app, you can open and configure the VPN and camera protection tools, and in the Settings menu you can tweak notifications, app permissions and more.

And, thankfully, the installation process is better. It’s clear and straightforward, even giving you time estimates for the install, the time it’ll take for setting up your protection and for an initial scan. Norton gives you a warning if there are any conflicting apps on your system, too.

When you boot Norton 360 Deluxe for the first time, you also get the option of running through a five-step setup process that configures dark web monitoring, cloud backup, VPN usage, protecting another device and setting up your password manager.

It’s a neat wizard that ticks many of the protection boxes beyond straightforward scanning, and it’s a welcome addition for newcomers.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Antivirus Lab Test Results

Norton 360 Deluxe has a familiar range of antivirus abilities, including real-time threat detection that continuously scans for viruses, malware and phishing attempts, no matter what you’re doing with your device – a tremendous first line of defence against new and emerging threats.

Elsewhere, Norton’s firewall monitors and blocks suspicious network traffic without bothering users – it’s one of the best around, and includes loads of options for customisation, including options to block specific networks and devices, control access for particular apps and tweak traffic rules.

Norton’s app also features ransomware and hacking protection and anti-phishing browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, but you’re out of luck if you want to use a browser beyond those three.

AV-Comparatives’ September 2025 Performance Test evaluates the impact of antivirus software on system performance – a crucial metric if you want a security tool that won’t make your system sluggish when you’re running scans.

These tests incorporate file copying and archiving, app installations and launches, file downloads and web browsing – all common use cases, and situations where you won’t want a security product like Norton to slow you down.

And, thankfully, Norton performed well here. Its Impact Score of 3.8 is excellent, and the second-best in the entire test – only Kaspersky had less system impact than Norton. Unfortunately, Kaspersky has been shunned by the western-world due to being headquartered in Moscow.

In the results, Norton’s performance was recorded as “Very Fast” in every category tested. It’s enough to earn Norton 360 Deluxe an “Advanced+ Performance” badge from AV-Comparatives.

Norton’s performance on mobile impressed, too, with low battery drain on Android.

In AV Test’s August 2025 benchmarking, Norton remained impressive, with a perfect score of 6/6 for system performance.

Norton 360 Deluxe performed better than the industry average when launching websites and installing apps and matched the industry average when downloading apps and copying files. Its only slight stumble came when launching apps, but the performance hit wasn’t huge.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Malware protection

Norton’s level of protection impressed, too. AV-Comparatives’ February-May 2025 Real World Protection Test simulates malware attacks to assess detection, protection and false positives, and Norton performed reasonably well.

It picked up eight false positives and one user-dependent false positive for an overall score of 8.5. That’s not as good as some other big hitters, like apps from Kaspersky, Bitdefender or Avira, but it’s still better than the industry average – and software from companies like AVG, Avast and Panda.

In the overall benchmark, AV-Comparatives sent 423 test cases at the security products under scrutiny, and Norton blocked 421 of those threats for a protection rate of 99.5%. That’s level with Avast, Malwarebytes, Trend Micro and a handful of other tools and barely behind Bitdefender – so, in short, it’s a very good result.

As with system impact tests, these results were enough to earn Norton a top grade of Advanced+. And you can expect similarly impressive protection if you’re using Norton on other platforms, too: its protection rate of 99.9% on Android is superb, and its Mac malware and unwanted applications detection rates of 100% and 99% are fantastic.

Unsurprisingly, Norton continued to perform well in AV Test’s benchmarks, too. It scored a perfect 6/6 in the Protection category, with 100% detection of malware attacks, and it didn’t return any false blockages, detections or warnings, either – so Norton 360 Deluxe’s reliability isn’t in question.

Norton 360 Deluxe isn’t the only product to perform this well: tools from Avira, Bitdefender, Avast, McAfee and a handful of others returned similarly impressive results. But if you end up investing in Norton 360 Deluxe, you can be sure that you’re getting a top-notch level of protection.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Other features

Norton 360 Deluxe’s other features are just as good. 360 Deluxe includes a full and unrestricted VPN – unlike Bitdefender with its 200mb daily usage limits – and it’s very easy to use, with “on” and “off” buttons clearly indicated. You can easily change location and let the app choose locations based on speed or P2P preferences, and you can opt to have the VPN connect automatically when you boot and kill the internet entirely if the VPN’s connection is interrupted.

Bear in mind that usage of older protocols in the background mean that standalone VPN products will generally be faster. But Norton 360 Deluxe’s VPN is easily fast enough for daily home use.

Dark web monitoring trawls the internet for your bank account, gamer tags, email addresses, phone numbers, insurance details and home addresses – it even scours the web for information about your passport and drivers license. It’s a thorough system, and fast, too, with instant notifications if your data is spotted in a breach.

The included parental control module needs to be activated separately to 360 Deluxe, and it includes options to set screen time limits, block apps and websites and use real-time location monitoring on child devices. Management is handled through a web console, and there are over 45 different content categories that you can filter out.

There are also options to block sites during school hours, enable safe search and see full reports of your child’s online behavior.

It’s a solid option for parental controls, but you’ll find more power and innovation in dedicated parental control tools.

Elsewhere, Norton includes a password manager that supports multi-factor authentication – but, again, shop around if you want high-end features beyond standard inclusions. And while you get cloud backup with Norton 360 Deluxe, you don’t get the option to perform local or network-based backups.

You can install Norton’s Chromium-based private browser, use tools to keep software updated, clean up junk files and manage your PC’s boot processes, and use SafeCam to protect your webcam and microphone from remote access.

It’s a welcome range of features, if conventional, but it’s worth noting that Norton 360 Deluxe is one of the few antivirus suites that does a great job for mac OS users – it includes antivirus, the firewall, VPN, the private browser and a few other tools.

That’s an impressive array of options for Apple users, but you still don’t get parental controls or cloud backup.

This story is repeated on mobile platforms, too: Norton’s Android app is excellent and packed with features, and the iOS option is better than most – even if you still miss out on some peripheral options and tools.

Norton 360 Deluxe: Final verdict

There’s lots to like about Norton 360 Deluxe. Its antivirus performance is excellent – and it does a great job of protecting your technology without slowing down your devices. The pricing is good, too, with standard pricing and offers that help Norton regularly undercut its rivals.

It’s packed with functionality elsewhere, too, from its dark web monitoring and safe browsing to its unrestricted VPN, scam protection and cloud backup. Some features, like the parental control and password management modules, aren’t particularly innovative – but they work well, and they’re ideal for individuals or families who need effective, straightforward protection.

Bitdefender Total Security is a bit stronger for pure protection, and some other products offer more in terms of innovation. But Norton 360 Deluxe is an excellent all-rounder, especially for families – and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the biggest names in the industry.

Kentucky-based healthcare provider Norton has confirmed that it has suffered a significant ransomware attack that may have put the data of millions of its patients at risk.

In a filing to the Maine Attorney General on December 8, the healthcare giant said that 2.5 million individuals had been affected by the breach.

Norton said that the attack took place between May 7 and May 9, 2023, stating that it took until mid-November to analyze the extent of the attack and the types of patient data that had been exfiltrated.

Norton Healthcare data breach

A letter sent on behalf of Norton Healthcare by Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Lawyer David Saunders confirms that the company informed the FBI and started to engage with outside legal counsel and a forensic security provider as soon as it became aware of the incident.

The summary continues: “Based on our investigation, an unauthorized individual(s) was able to access certain network storage devices between May 7, 2023, and May 9, 2023, but did not access Norton Healthcare’s medical record system or Norton MyChart.”

Norton confirmed that it did not pay a ransom to the attacker.

Avoiding specifics, Norton says that some or all of the following data may have been exposed: name, contact information, Social Security Number, date of birth, health information, insurance information, and medical identification numbers. Some driver’s license numbers or other government ID numbers, financial account numbers, and digital signatures may also have been exposed.

Norton has been informing current and former patients, employees, as well as employee dependents and beneficiaries of this incident.

No further suspicious activity has been detected, and the not-for-profit healthcare provider promises to be enhancing its security safeguards.

In the meantime, customers are being given access to 24 months of single bureau credit monitoring, unlimited fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration services with Kroll.

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Cybersecurity powerhouse Norton has just announced a new security suite aimed purely at small and medium-sized businesses (SMB). 

The company says Norton Small Business can offer SMBs the same level of security enjoyed by large enterprises, without needing a separate security department or many highly skilled employees.

Norton Small Business. It’s an all-in-one cybersecurity solution, offering features such as secure browsing, password manager, and a Virtual Private Network (VPN), to help secure day-to-day online activities.

SMB targets

The solution, which is available 24/7 also comes with automated PC cleaning and optimization to keep healthier PCs for longer, Secure Cloud Backup to help reduce the risk of loss of business data, and software and driver updaters to help keep software up-to-date and give cybercriminals fewer vulnerabilities to exploit. Finally, the package includes IT coverage and maintenance for up to 20 devices, and a 100% Virus Protection Promise (which comes with a caveat, though. Read here for more.) 

Around 90% of all global businesses are SMBs, which means two things: a) most firms around the world don’t have the level of protection needed to remain secure in this day and age. Many employees are filling multiple roles at the same time and most firms can’t afford a dedicated cybersecurity department/team; and b) most of the victims of cybercrime are SMBs. In the majority of cases, businesses end up falling prey to a phishing attack. In fact, just in 2022, cybercrime cost UK businesses an average of £4200.

“We’ve built our small business products and services with the same approach in mind as we do with our consumer portfolio so entrepreneurs don’t need to worry about becoming cybersecurity experts,” said Massimo Rapparini, General Manager & Head of Small Business Safety at Gen (Norton’s owner). “Norton is here to make cybersecurity accessible and easy so they can focus on building thriving businesses.”

Norton Small Business is available now with prices starting at £39.99/year with options for 6, 10 or 20-device plans.

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Popular antivirus vendor Norton has launched a new browser that it claims will enhance your privacy and security online. 

Available for both Windows and Mac, Norton Secure Browser hopes to tackle the dual threats of overly-persistent advertisers and the increasingly advanced attacks launched by cybercriminals.

Ben Wadors, Director of Browser and Search at Gen - the owners of Norton - said that, "we’ve built in some of our best technology and innovation to help protect people from new and persistent web-based threats and made it easy for them to choose what they share with advertisers."

Privacy and protection

He added that in Norton Secure Browser, users can do this "all from a centralized security and privacy dashboard you can customize in seconds." Wadors also emphasized its ease of use, claiming that, "there’s no frustration finding the right menu options or features to turn on."

For instance, there is a feature called Privacy Guard, which allows users to block ads and trackers as they search and browse the internet. And Web Shield can detect and block fake sites, often used by threat actors to phish their victims that can lead to malware being downloaded.

There is also an integrated password manager to allow for easy login to websites, as well as preventing applications and malware from viewing or changing your passwords. 

Privacy and security focused browsers are becoming more popular as of late, perhaps due to the increased concerns people have with their online activity being snooped on. 

However, Google Chrome still remains the most popular web browser in the world, despite the tech giant's not so stellar track record on the issue, which include its controversial new plans for a Web Environment Integrity (WEI) API, which detractors say will increase surveillance, among other negatives.

Norton Secure Browser is free and compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as macOS Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey. 

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Each year, consumers around the world are bombarded with billions of cyberattacks, most of which are scam attempts, new research from Norton has found. 

Its latest Consumer Cyber Safety Pulse Report has revealed that just in the first half of 2023, the company’s security product blocked more than 1.5 billion threats. 

Given that Norton is just one of many solutions protecting endpoints around the world, it’s safe to assume that the number of threats consumers are facing is in tens of billions, every year.

Abusing AI

The majority of the threats are scams, the paper further details. Phishing is by far the most popular scam tactic, with 117.8 million attempts recorded by Norton between January 1 and June 30 this year. Desktop threats make up 88.9 million of all attacks, while mobile threats accounted for 680,000 attacks. Furthermore, Norton’s AntiTrack feature claims to have blocked over 2.6 billion trackers and fingerprinting attempts.

Going forward, things are only going to get worse, it was said, as the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes phishing attacks easier to mount and scale up. Threat actors are most engaged in e-shop scams (creating fake online stores and similar), sextortion scams (threatening to release compromising information), and tech support scams (warning victims their endpoints are infected and in urgent need of assistance).

With the help of AI, these scams have gotten more realistic, and thus harder to detect, says Luis Corrons, Security Evangelist for Norton. “Leveraging AI, criminals are creating scams that are not only more credible but alarmingly real, making scams more convincing and harder to detect, which is why it’s so important that consumers know what to be aware of.”

But just as hackers can use AI, so can their targets, Norton says, calling upon the consumers to start leveraging AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to stay safe.

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