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- Free app and extension
- User-friendly dashboard
- iOS and Android app
- 256-bit AES encryption
- No credential sharing
- Limited browser extension choices
Norton Password Manager adds to its suite of internet safety products by generating and securely storing complex passwords.
However, you should know that the company suffered a massive security breach in August 2022. We’ll explore why using a password manager is a smart move and offer some viable alternatives.
SMB Guide’s Verdict for Norton Password Manager
We rated Norton Password Manager 6.7 out of 10. While it offers robust features for free, lack of a few key features, like one-time passwords for recovery, password sharing, and multi-factor security dragged the rating down.
Factor | Rating (out of 10) |
---|---|
Pricing & Plans | 10 |
Multi-factor Security & Authentication | 8 |
One-time Passwords | 0 |
Password Capture & Generation | 8.5 |
Password Sharing | 0 |
User Interface and User Experience | 9.5 |
Integrations and Compatibility | 9 |
Customer Support | 8.5 |
SMB Guide Rating | 6.7 |
In this Norton Password Manager review, I’ve followed SMB Guide’s detailed criteria for evaluating password managers.
Pricing & Plans
Norton Password Manager is a free browser extension that anyone can download and use for free.
Free
Anyone can add the Norton Password Manager to most common browsers. It’s free to download and use and is also bundled with Norton’s paid security suite.
Price
- $0
Features
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Secure online vault you can access from any device
- Complex, unique passwords for each login
- Discover weak passwords and automatically update them with more complex and secure ones
- Sync passwords across all devices
- Biometric login for mobile users
- Autofill logins and credit card credentials
Who it’s for: Everyone who uses an internet device needs complex, unique passwords for every login and some way to remember them. Password managers are a practical and secure solution.
Multi-factor Security & Authentication
Norton Password Manager offers secure storage vaults with basic 256-bit AES encryption designed to foil hackers. Passwords are stored using end-to-end encryption and a zero-knowledge company policy, which means the company cannot see your passwords.
The zero-knowledge policy sounds great on the surface – you’re protected, for example, from insider attacks and accidental leaks, but it comes with a significant drawback.
If you lose your master password, you’re out of luck unless you’ve set up biometric access on your mobile device. Using biometric access, you can log into your vault and reset your password if necessary. Without biometric access, your data is permanently lost.
Another feature you can enable lets you unlock your vault on the desktop by sending a notification to your mobile device. You won’t need to authenticate using your fingerprint, you can log in simply by approving the notification.
One-time Passwords
Norton does not offer Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication to recover your data if you forget your master password and are locked out.
Password Capture and Generation
Norton’s Password Generator is capable of generating random passwords with up to 64 characters, including special characters, upper and lower case letters, and numbers for passwords that are impossible to guess or crack.
However, you cannot edit the generated password. Generated passwords are automatically saved to your vault so you never have to remember them.
Password Sharing
There is no password sharing option in Norton.
User Interface and User Experience
At the Norton Password Manager website, you’re invited to install the browser extension and sign in to create a vault for your passwords.
Everything about the implementation is simple; just a few clicks and your vault is created and ready to begin. You’ll need to add the extension to your browser and download the app to your phone.
Be sure and set the biometric option to prevent loss.
Once your vault is set, you’ll need to import passwords if possible. If not, you may need to visit each website and create a new password using Norton’s password generator.
You can also use the safety dashboard to evaluate your passwords and easily replace any weak ones or duplicates.
Integrations and Compatibility
Norton Password Manager is compatible with Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, so almost everyone can use it, but there are browsers it may not work with such as Brave, Vivaldi, and Tor.
One major drawback was the inability to import existing passwords from most password managers. Norton can only import from:
If you’re not using one of those, you have to start from scratch, creating new passwords as you go.
Customer Support
Norton has several customer support options and users say that the company is responsive and helpful. You can contact customer support by phone, live chat, or use the community forum.
Norton Password Manager — Unique Features
Norton’s unique feature is its safety dashboard. The program analyzes your stored logins and offers a detailed analysis including the overall password safety score, duplicates, and outdated passwords.
The best feature in the safety dashboard is Norton’s Auto-change. From the dashboard you can update any weak or duplicate passwords instantly.
When you select a site and click the Auto-change button, the browser navigates to the chosen site and shows a notification that Norton Password Manager is changing the password.
In seconds, you’re back in the safety dashboard and the password has been changed and stored.
What the Experts Say About Norton Password Manager
At the time of this writing, Norton Password Manager had the following reviews:
- Chrome Web Store rating: 3/5 (1,300+ ratings)
- Google Play rating: 4.5/5 (68,900+ ratings)
- Apple App Store rating: 4.4/5 (27,700+ ratings)
The password manager used to come on easily, now it does not. I have been using Norton for years and years. When you click on it, nothing happens. It should be the login screen. If you right click (which should not be necessary) and click on “Norton Password Manager” you get advertisements. Norton needs to stop the advertisements and popups and get back to making this work, work well, and taking care of the security of its existing customers, many very long-time customers, and then worry about advertising what it has perfected in a responsible way, that is not consistently obtrusive and annoying.
– Rene B., – Chrome Web Store review
This password vault app is really very good, with a few improvements needed. It can be used to unlock your vault on a desktop PC or laptop with biometric security for convenience. It can rate your password for how long it would take a hacker to brute force the password. One annoying problem, though, is the way in this and some other Norton product apps the text on the buttons cuts off. Some polishing is needed.
– Joshua M., – Google Play review
Norton Password Manager Alternatives
Norton Password Manager is easy to use and free, but it may not be exactly what you want. Fortunately, there are some low cost alternatives on the market to choose from.
Primary Rating:
4.4
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Primary Rating:
4.0
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Primary Rating:
4.2
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Free - $5.99/mo
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Free - $19.99/yr
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$4.99/mo - $8/mo
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NordPass
NordPass offers top-notch XChaCha20 encryption, a zero-knowledge company policy, and multiple-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard your password vault.
It’s easy to use and offers a limited free plan and affordable paid plans. It has similar features to Norton Password Manager, including password health checkup, but also has password sharing, data breach monitoring, an activity log, shared folders, and password inheritance for users you authorize.
Start your free trial of NordPass today
True Key
McAfee’s True Key has the same basic functions offered by Norton Password Manager, and also shares the same weaknesses. Neither software has secure sharing and password inheritance.
True Key also lacks a desktop app and a security dashboard. True Key supports password imports from LastPass, Dashlane, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and csv files.
Unlike Norton Password Manager, True Key does offer multi factor authentication.
Download True Key for free today
Dashlane
Dashlane is a popular password manager designed to safeguard your personal and business data online. Like Norton Password Manager, Dashlane uses end-to-end AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and zero-knowledge architecture to safeguard against insider leaks or data theft.
It also offers a secure password generator, unlimited passwords, autofill for forms, biometric recovery access, and file sharing.
Other options: Best Norton Password Manager Alternatives
Getting Started with Norton Password Manager
Norton Password Manager is a solid free password vault to keep your passwords encrypted and safe, and Norton has a venerable reputation in the online security market.
For a free app, it’s loaded with features and easy to use. Set up your free password vault today with just a few clicks!
Install the Norton Password Manager extension today!
FAQs
Can hackers breach Norton Password Manager?
No security program can guarantee complete protection from hackers. Hackers constantly develop new methods of attack, and security programs monitor and react to new threats.
They must be frequently updated to keep up with new threats.
Is Norton Password Manager free?
It is included in the company’s core security suite and is also available as a stand-alone browser extension that’s free for anyone to use.
Where is Norton Password Vault stored?
Norton Password Manager data is stored online in a Norton account. You can access your Norton cloud vault from any device connected to the Internet.
Norton Password Manager
Norton Password Manager is a single solution to help manage your unique passwords in multiple ways.
Product Brand: Norton
3.4