Norton Online Backup: Complete Guide to Features & Pricing### Introduction
Norton Online Backup (also known as Norton Backup or part of Norton 360’s cloud backup features) offers cloud-based backup for personal and small business users. This guide covers what the service provides, how it works, pricing options, security and privacy, pros and cons, setup and usage tips, troubleshooting, and alternatives to consider.
What is Norton Online Backup?
Norton Online Backup is a cloud backup solution provided by NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec) that lets users store copies of important files—documents, photos, videos, and system data—on remote servers. The service aims to protect data from hardware failure, theft, accidental deletion, and local disasters by keeping encrypted copies offsite.
Key Features
- Automated backups: Schedule backups to run automatically at regular intervals.
- Selective file backup: Choose which files and folders to include.
- Versioning: Restore previous versions of files (retention period depends on plan).
- Cross-device backup: Protect files on multiple devices depending on the license.
- Web-based restore: Download files from the cloud via a web portal.
- Local and cloud combination: Option to keep local copies while also backing up to the cloud.
- Integration with Norton 360: Often bundled with Norton 360 subscriptions providing antivirus and additional device protections.
How It Works
- Install the Norton application on the device(s) you want to protect.
- Sign in with your Norton account and choose a backup plan or use the amount of storage included with your subscription.
- Select files, folders, or system areas to back up manually, or enable automatic backups.
- Data is encrypted on the device before transmission and uploaded to Norton’s cloud servers.
- To restore, use the Norton client or web portal to select files and download them back to your device.
Security and Privacy
- Encryption: Norton encrypts data both in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest on its servers. Some versions allow a private encryption key/password for zero-knowledge style protection—check your plan specifics.
- Compliance & data centers: Norton uses geographically distributed data centers; exact compliance certifications vary. Refer to Norton for current certifications and data storage locations.
- Privacy: As a consumer-focused provider, Norton has published privacy policies detailing data handling. If you need absolute zero-knowledge backup, confirm whether Norton offers a private key option for your plan.
Pricing (Overview & Typical Options)
Pricing for Norton Online Backup often comes bundled with Norton 360 subscriptions and can vary by region and promotional offers. Typical tiers include:
- Starter/Basic (included with some Norton 360 plans): Limited cloud storage (e.g., 10–50 GB).
- Standard/Deluxe: Increased storage (e.g., 100–250 GB) and coverage for multiple devices.
- Premium/Advanced: Larger storage options (e.g., 500 GB–1 TB or more), priority support, and full-suite security features.
Exact prices and storage amounts change frequently. For current pricing, check Norton’s website or authorized resellers.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integrates with Norton 360 security suite | Cloud storage often limited compared with dedicated backup providers |
| Easy setup and automated backups | Pricing/plan changes and bundling can be confusing |
| Strong encryption and established company reputation | May not offer full zero-knowledge by default |
| Web-based restore and multi-device support | Some advanced backup features reserved for higher tiers |
Setup: Step-by-Step (Windows example)
- Sign up for a Norton account and purchase/activate a plan with cloud backup.
- Download and install Norton from the official site.
- Open Norton and sign in.
- Go to Backup > Set Up Backup > Choose Backup Location (Cloud).
- Select folders/files to back up or use default suggestions (Documents, Pictures, etc.).
- Set schedule (e.g., daily at night) and retention/versioning preferences.
- Start initial backup and monitor progress from the Norton dashboard.
Tips to Maximize Backup Efficiency
- Exclude large system or temporary files that don’t need cloud storage.
- Use initial backup on a fast, stable connection (consider wired Ethernet).
- Enable file compression if available.
- Keep a local external drive as an additional restore point.
- Regularly review backup logs and perform test restores.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Backup failing: Check internet connection, firewall/antivirus conflicts, available cloud storage, and ensure Norton services are running.
- Slow uploads: Limit backup bandwidth, schedule backups during off-peak hours, or perform initial backup locally then sync.
- Missing files: Verify selected backup sets and retention settings; search the web restore portal.
- Restore errors: Ensure sufficient local disk space and correct file permissions.
Alternatives to Consider
- Backblaze: Unlimited backup for personal computers at a flat rate.
- Carbonite: Consumer-focused cloud backup with multiple plan tiers.
- Acronis Cyber Protect: Integrated backup and advanced cybersecurity features.
- IDrive: Per-device or per-storage pricing with hybrid backup options.
Conclusion
Norton Online Backup is a convenient choice for users who already use Norton’s security suite and want integrated cloud backup. It offers automated backup, encryption, and easy restore options, but storage limits and plan bundling mean power users should compare alternatives for price and features.
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