Norton Password Manager—A Detailed Analysis of Features
Norton is a well-known security company that offers various products to protect users from online threats. Among them is the Norton Password Manager, a tool designed to help users create, securely store, and manage their passwords. It's available as a standalone product or as part of Norton's paid plans, which include its antivirus, Norton VPN, and other services.
This Norton Password Manager review will examine the service's features, security measures, and pricing plans to help you decide if it fits your password management needs. You'll also discover how virtual cards can help improve the safety of your financial information online by hiding your sensitive details when shopping.
Disclaimer: The information in this review is accurate as of September 2024. For more up-to-date details, please visit the official service provider's website.
What Does Norton Password Manager Offer?
To evaluate Norton Password Manager's offerings, we'll examine five key areas:
- Security measures
- Password and data management features
- Device compatibility
- Customer support
- Pricing
Security Measures
Norton Password Manager uses AES-256-bit encryption to encrypt passwords and sensitive information and protect them during transit and when stored in a cloud-based vault[1].
It also requires users to create another password on top of their Norton account password to access their vault. This is the only password users need to memorize, and Norton never stores it on its servers. Since all encryption and description processes occur on the user's device, and Norton doesn't know the user's vault password, the password manager adheres to the zero-knowledge principle[1].
Other security measures Norton Password Manager employs include[2][3]:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)—Adds an extra security layer by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to the user's phone from an authenticator app, security key, or mobile phone number, before granting access to user accounts
- Biometric login—Allows users to access their vault using biometric authentication methods such as Touch ID/Face ID or Android biometrics on their mobile devices
- Passwordless vault access—Enables users to unlock their password manager vault on a desktop browser by approving a notification on their mobile device for quick access
Norton Password Manager uses a Captcha mechanism to check if anyone attempting to log in is a human or a bot, slowing down automated brute-force attacks on users' Norton Accounts. The provider also uses a "challenge mechanism" that requires users to successfully enter their vault password before transferring any encrypted data from the server[1].
Password and Data Management Features
To make managing passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data easier, Norton Password Manager offers the following features[3][4]:
- Password Generator—Creates strong, random passwords for each online account, reducing the risk of a hacker successfully guessing or cracking them
- Safety Dashboard—Helps users spot weak, reused, and old passwords in their vault and prompts them to update them for enhanced security
- Auto Change—Updates and saves changed passwords automatically for supported websites, saving time and effort
- Autofill—Automatically fills in login, payment details, and shipping information when shopping online, facilitating faster checkouts and preventing keyloggers from capturing sensitive information.
Users who opt for Norton 360 also get access to Dark Web Monitoring[5], which scans the dark web for their personal information and alerts them if it's exposed. Users looking for password managers that monitor compromised passwords as part of their free offering can opt for alternatives such as Firefox, Edge, LastPass, and Apple Password Manager.
Device Compatibility
Norton Password Manager integrates seamlessly with popular browsers. It also offers smartphone apps, enabling users to access their vault across multiple devices and platforms. Users can access Norton Password Manager on[6]:
The Norton Password Manager lacks a dedicated Windows or macOS app, which might make it a less appealing option for users looking for a more comprehensive product with cross-device password syncing. Users who want a desktop app for password management can opt for alternatives such as 1Password, Proton Pass, NordPass, and Keeper.
Customer Support
Norton provides customer support through various options to ensure users get assistance whenever needed. These options include:
- Phone support[7]
- Help center[8]
- Community forum[9]
- Live chat available 24/7[10]
Pricing
Norton Password Manager doesn't cost anything for basic password management needs, such as storing and autofilling passwords. Users who opt for the Norton 360 subscription to get access to Dark Web Monitoring and additional Norton products can choose from the following plans[11]:
Are Password Managers Enough To Secure Financial Information Online?
Despite their robust security measures for safeguarding your passwords and payment card details, password managers' protection applies only to the data stored in them. As soon as you share the information stored in the password manager—for example, when completing an online transaction—the safety of your financial data will rely on the merchant's security measures. If the vendor falls victim to a data breach or hack, your financial information could be compromised.
If you want to safeguard your financial information further when shopping online, consider using virtual cards. They come with temporary or reusable card numbers you can enter at checkout, protecting your actual card details from bad actors.
While popular financial institutions like American Express® and Capital One® offer virtual cards, dedicated providers like Privacy provide advanced customization options that give you greater financial control.
Privacy Cards Safeguard Your Financial Information
With Privacy, you can link your bank account or debit card to generate virtual cards for all your online transactions. Being a BBB-accredited and PCI-DSS-compliant company, Privacy employs robust security measures to safeguard your personal and financial data. It encrypts all data using AES-256 encryption, the same level of encryption used by banks, and it follows OWASP best practices to develop secure web applications.
Additional security measures and features Privacy provides include:
- Two-factor authentication—Requires a second form of authentication, such as a one-time code sent via SMS, email, or authenticator app, for additional security
- Transaction alerts—Sends notifications for all transactions, allowing you to monitor card usage and take prompt action in case of unusual activity
- Fraud investigation—Thoroughly investigates disputed transactions and files a chargeback claim on your behalf if it finds grounds
- Regular audits—Conducts security audits by third-party firms to ensure compliance with industry standards and identify potential vulnerabilities
Privacy Card Types
Privacy allows you to generate three types of virtual cards:
- Single-Use Cards—These cards become invalid shortly after completing the first transaction, which helps protect against potential misuse. You can use them when shopping on unfamiliar or untrusted websites.
- Merchant-Locked Cards—These cards are "tied" to the first merchant they are used with. Privacy will automatically decline transaction attempts at any other merchant. They're ideal for recurring payments like subscriptions.
- Category-Locked Cards—These cards "lock" to a specific merchant category, such as entertainment, health & wellness, or groceries. Privacy will automatically block transactions outside the chosen category or for an amount greater than you’ve allowed.
You can pause or close your virtual cards, and Privacy will block further transactions. This feature is useful when stopping subscriptions, as it helps you avoid accidental and unauthorized charges during and after the cancellation process.
Privacy also lets you set spending limits, defining the maximum amount a vendor can charge your card. If a transaction exceeds this limit, Privacy automatically declines it, protecting you from hidden fees and unexpected fee hikes.
Additional Convenience Features
Alongside robust security measures and customizable card controls, Privacy offers the following convenience features to streamline your virtual card management:
- 1Password integration—Privacy's integration with 1Password's browser extension lets you manage your virtual cards, passwords, and other sensitive information from one secure location, which eliminates the need to switch between browsers and apps.
- Browser extension—The Privacy Browser Extension, available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Safari for iOS, fills your virtual card details at checkout, making online transactions faster and more convenient.
- Mobile app—With the Privacy App, available for iOS and Android, you can manage your virtual cards on the go, track transactions, and receive real-time alerts for added security.
- Shared Cards—Privacy allows you to share your cards with friends and family without disclosing your real payment details.
How To Join Privacy
If you are a U.S. resident aged over 18 and with a bank account or debit card, you join Privacy in four simple steps:
- Sign up for an account on the Privacy website
- Submit the necessary information to verify your identity
- Provide a funding source, such as your bank account or debit card
- Request your first virtual card
Privacy offers four monthly plans to choose from:
References
[1] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-identity-safe/current/solutions/v2023020811075540?displang=iso3%3AENG&displocale=iso3%3AUSA&helpid=encryptionInfo&ssdcat=310, sourced September 3, 2024
[2] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-identity-safe/current/solutions/v100023155?displang=iso3%3AENG&displocale=iso3%3AUSA&helpid=encryptionInfo&ssdcat=310, Sourced September 3, 2024
[3] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/aa/home/current/solutions/v89756944, Sourced September 3, 2024
[4] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v127051054, Sourced September 3, 2024
[5] Norton. https://us.norton.com/feature/dark-web-monitoring, Sourced September 3, 2024
[6] Norton. https://my.norton.com/extspa/passwordmanager, Sourced September 3, 2024
[7] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-secure-vpn/all/contact-phone, Sourced September 3, 2024
[8] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/help-center, Sourced September 3, 2024
[9] Norton. https://community.norton.com/?inid=support-homepage_community, Sourced September 3, 2024
[10] Norton. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-secure-vpn/all/contact, Sourced September 3, 2024
[11] Norton. https://us.norton.com/products?inid=support-nav_norton.com-productsoverview#, Sourced September 3, 2024
