[2] Norton 360 was an "all-in-one" security suite for the consumer market developed by Symantec (now Gen Digital).

Genesis would differ from Symantec's other consumer security products by incorporating file backup and performance optimization tools with antivirus capabilities and a firewall.

In May 2005, Microsoft announced Windows Live OneCare, a security suite with similar functionalities, slated for release in 2006.

Its feature set was confirmed—it would have the same functionalities as Norton Internet Security—with file backup, performance tools, phishing protection, and real-time heuristics.

[6][7] The same day, McAfee announced Falcon, a security suite with similar functionalities as Norton 360 and OneCare.

[13] The backup and restore functionality allowed users to back up files online or to a hard drive, CD, or DVD.

Performance optimization tools allowed users to clear web browser history and temporary files.

In Windows XP, a 300 megahertz processor, 256 megabytes of RAM, and 300 MB of hard disk space is required.

PC Magazine found the phishing protection feature to be more effective at blocking access to fraudulent sites than Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2.

PC Magazine criticized the antispam filter of Version 1.0, finding it blocked only half of the spam mail, and with five percent false positive rate.

Safe Web integrates with Firefox and Internet Explorer as a toolbar, blocking access to fraudulent and malware hosting sites.

Norton also creates a virtual drive in Windows Explorer, allowing users to browse their backup files, stored locally or online.

A startup application manager was included in this release, allowing users to control which programs start at login.

PC Magazine also noted a support session with a Symantec technician who used the shareware application Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware from a computer, referring to it as an "online Norton program".

It features a new and enhanced interface with more realistic icons and animations and it also includes Norton Widgets - a platform that integrates other Symantec online services directly in the UI.

Links to Norton Recovery Tools have been added in the scanner's interface and in the start menu folder to help in restoring a highly infected system.

Featured Metered Broadband modes, and easily remembers logins and other personal info while protecting against online identity theft.

[31][32] Additional features have been added to the Norton 360 product line, including a specific suite of tools for gaming in 2021,[33] and social media monitoring services in February 2022.

[34] In January 2022, Norton installed a cryptominer that would mine Ethereum once activated by the user; the feature was permanently disabled in September of that year.

Magic Lantern was first reported in the media by Bob Sullivan of MSNBC on November 20, 2001, and by Ted Bridis of the Associated Press.

When activated, the trojan horse will log the PGP password, which allows the FBI to decrypt user communications.

Concerns include uncertainties about Magic Lantern's full potential and whether hackers could subvert it for purposes outside the jurisdiction of the law.

[42] Another reaction came from Marc Maiffret, chief technical officer and cofounder of eEye Digital Security, "Our customers are paying us for a service, to protect them from all forms of malicious code.

"[44][45] Proponents of Magic Lantern argue the technology would allow law enforcement to efficiently and quickly decrypt messages protected by encryption schemes.

[46] Norton Internet Security (Windows version) is criticized for not uninstalling completely, leaving unnecessary files and registry entries.

Uninstallation will not remove subscription data, which is preserved to prevent users from installing multiple trial copies.

[52] Sarah Hicks, Symantec's vice president of consumer product management, voiced concern over Windows Vista 64-bit's PatchGuard feature.

PatchGuard was designed by Microsoft to ensure the integrity of the kernel, a part of an operating system which interacts with the hardware.

[53] Mike Dalton, European president of McAfee said, "The decision to build a wall around the kernel with the assumption it can't be breached is ridiculous", claiming Microsoft was preventing security vendors from effectively protecting the kernel while promoting its own security product, Windows Live OneCare.

[56][57][58] After negotiations and investigations from antitrust regulators, Microsoft decided to allow security vendors access to the kernel by creating special API instructions.