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| Product type | Security software |
|---|---|
| Owner | Gen Digital |
| Introduced | 1982; 43 years ago (1982) |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Previous owners | Peter Norton Computing (1982-1990) |
| Website | www |
Norton is abrand name that was founded in 1982 byPeter Norton Computing andacquired by Symantec in 1990. It is now used by theAmericancompanyGen Digital (formerly Symantec and NortonLifeLock) for some of itssoftware.
Norton was originally a suite ofutility software forIBM DOS,[1] expanded into user guides for IBM DOS and then utilities and guides forMicrosoft DOS in 1982, and eventuallyMicrosoft Windows. After acquiring Norton Computing in 1989, Symantec merged their anti-virus software into the Norton package and rebranded it as Norton AntiVirus which was released in 1991.
In 2014 Symantec separated theirbusiness into twounits. One was focused on security, and the other was focused oninformation management; Norton was placed in the unit focused on security.[2] Symantec was renamed to NortonLifeLock in 2019 followingBroadcom’s acquisition of its enterprise division.[3]
As of 2022, Norton is a consumercybersecurity brand of Gen Digital, theparent company formed following themerger between NortonLifeLock andAvast.[4] It currently covers a variety ofproducts andservices related todigital security,identity protection, andonline privacy and utilities.[5]
Peter Norton Computing was asoftware company founded byPeter Norton. Norton and his company developed variousDOSutilities including theNorton Utilities which originally did not includeantivirus features.
The company wasacquired bySymantec in 1990. Symantec's consumer antivirus anddata management utilities are still marketed under the Norton name.[6]
In early 1991 Symantec's Norton Computer Group launchedNorton AntiVirus 1.0 forcomputers. The company updated and diversified itsproduct line until combining its offerings into one seamless product,Norton Security.[7] Ads for the product, with suggested retail $129, featured Norton in his crossed-arm pose from the user guides, wearing a pink shirt and surgical mask covering his nose and mouth.
In the 1990s, Norton provided software to check computer systems for Y2K compliance.[8] In 2019, Symantec was renamed to NortonLifeLock followingBroadcom’s acquisition of its enterprisedivision,[3] leading to the combination of theNorton 360 suite with theLifeLock identity threat protection offering, which was purchased by Symantec in 2017.[9]
In 2019,Norton 360 was reintroduced, replacing Norton Security and adding privacy features, including aVPN service andidentity theft protectionservices alongside its traditional antivirus features.[10]
Norton's products are primarilydigital security tools for personal computers,server devices andmobile devices. It is currently compatible withPCs runningWindows 7,8,10 and11,macOS, and since 2011,Android andiOS, and is available as an annual subscription.[11][12]
Norton software is licensed to consumers. The brand's primary product isNorton 360, available in multiple editions.[13] Norton 360 Standard Edition includes real-time threat protection, Norton's SecureVPN,cloud backup, apassword manager, and a smartfirewall. A mobile version of the software is also available.[14] Norton 360 Deluxe and Norton 360 Advanced editions also addparental controls anddigital identity features includingdark web monitoring for leaks of personal information.[15]
Norton also offers its traditionalantivirus software,Norton AntiVirus Plus, as astandalone service, as well as separate subscriptions for Norton AntiTrack, Norton Secure VPN, and Norton Identity Advisor Plus.[16] Other services, including PC tune-up and optimization software, are also available as separate offerings.[17]
In January 2022, several users brought to light an issue with a hiddenbackdoorcrypto-mining tool in the Norton 360 security software suite.[18] Following the report in media Norton highlighted the procedure for uninstalling the product from their computer.
