Norton LifeLock launches all-in-one mobile and computer security solution with VPN and more

By Jacqui Dent

Last updated 21 October 2019

Late last week Norton LifeLock Australia launched Norton 360 Premium, a software suite aimed at being an all-in-one solution for internet security. The software combines protection for computer and mobile devices, as well as parental controls, a password manager, cloud back-up for files and a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Norton LifeLock has timed the software launch to coincide with the release of research it commissioned which found that 43% of Australians cannot tell the difference between a secure and insecure public WiFi network. The sample comprised of 1,001 Australians over the age of 18.

Meanwhile, according to Norton parent company Symantec's February 2019 global Internet Security Threat Report, web attacks globally increased by 56% in 2018. Mobile ransomware infections also increased by 33%, although overall ransomware infections were down by 20%.

The research also found that 4,800 websites each month last year were compromised by "formjacking". This is a process by which a web-form on a trusted website is compromised by malicious code designed to steal credit card details and other personal information. Symantec says websites compromised by these attacks last year included respected brands Ticketmaster and British Airways.

Symantec's research also extended into the mobile privacy sphere. When the internet security giant surveyed the top 100 free apps available through the Google Play in May 2018 it found that 45% required permission to track user location, 46% required permission to access device camera and 25% required permission to record audio. Apple's App Store faired better but still not great, with 25% requiring permission to track user location, 25% requiring access to device camera and 9% requiring permission to record audio.

Norton says its 360 Premium software is designed to protect PCs, Macs and smartphones against threats including ransomware, spyware, viruses and phishing attacks. The software also incorporates a special feature for mobiles that alerts users to apps on their device requiring permissions that potentially violate privacy, such as those listed above.

Meanwhile, Norton 360's VPN is intended to provide protection for devices when using public WiFi networks. And the Password Manager helps you create, store and manage secure passwords, and can alert you to known data breaches on sites you have an account with, when you log in.

The Norton 360 software incorporates other handy features such as the ability to block attempts to access your web cam without permission, and there's cloud back-up designed to protect files in the event of a ransomware attack.

You can buy an annual license to Norton 360 for up to five devices including personal computers, Android phones and iPhones. A license for one device will cost you $94.99 per year, a license for three devices will cost you $144.99 per year and a license for five devices will cost $189.99 per year.

You can buy the software in stores now including JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks or Harvey Norman.