Norton Core: digital safety solution for connected homes

Today’s home networks, bursting with connected devices such as thermostats, IP cameras, smart televisions and gaming consoles, need exceptional security to protect against malware, viruses, and suspicious activity.

Yet, many consumers don’t understand these devices can be an easy on-ramp for hackers to access their home networks. Norton Cyber Security Insight Report found 55% of UK consumers believe connected devices are made with security in mind, even though Symantec uncovered vulnerabilities in more than 50 different categories of IoT devices.

“We’ve all seen the high-profile attacks in recent months and know that hackers are now exploiting an array of connected devices as a new mean to access personal and financial information,” said Fran Rosch, executive vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec.

“Norton is extending our digital safety platform in an innovative way – to now include a wireless home router with an atypical artisanal design – to help our customers incorporate security more personally and elegantly into their homes.”

Unlike conventional routers, Norton Core was built to secure and protect connected homes. To provide strong wireless coverage, Norton Core has a unique antenna array inside a geodesic dome of interlocking faces, inspired by defense and weather radars deployed in the extreme reaches of the globe.

Norton Core’s unique mathematical design encourages users to place it out in the open, as part of their home décor, helping to provide a strong, unobstructed Wi-Fi signal

Norton Core comes with convenient and customisable tools allowing users the flexibility to set parameters that work for their home. Parents can easily set limits for each child for daily internet use, filter out inappropriate content, and even pause the entire home network so the family can enjoy dinner together. If an attempt is made to visit an unauthorised site, access will be blocked and parents will receive a notification.

“As more and more consumers are automating their lives at home, there are many considerations to evaluate with regard to how protected their data is, what data is being shared from their connected devices, and how their connected devices are managed within their home,” said Robert Westervelt, Research Manager, IDC.

“There are potential pitfalls that come with the convenience of home connectivity, but consumers can take steps to protect themselves and their devices with the right level of security.”

Norton Core fundamentally changes the equation as it is built consciously, with security as the primary consideration. From data encryption, to secure DNS, to automatic security updates, Norton Core will secure connected homes with state-of-the-art security.

Norton Core is designed with speed, coverage, reliability, ease of use and security as top considerations for all of the notebooks, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, Wi-Fi thermostats, IP cameras and other connected devices in a home. A few key product highlights include:

• Optimal wireless performance: Norton Core will support 802.11AC Wave-2 Wi-Fi and will be powered by a 1.7GHz dual core processor, with ample memory and flash storage to ensure optimal performance for Wi-Fi and security features. Core will simultaneously transmit at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, so every device connects to the best available band. Norton Core will also support speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, for fast 4K streaming and lag-free gaming. Using MU-MIMO technology, Norton Core can simultaneously stream to multiple devices, providing maximum bandwidth.

• Advanced Security: With security at the heart of Norton Core, every network packet incoming and outgoing across the home network is scanned for malware, viruses, spam, intrusions, and much more. If a connected device is detected with known vulnerabilities or threats, Norton Core can immediately quarantine the device to a segregated network and send an alert to the user.

• Security Score: To help consumers manage their connected home security, Norton Core is introducing “Security Score.” This feature is like a “credit score” for home network security. Users will be able to quickly understand how secure their network and devices are in real-time, and are given tips to strengthen their security settings and improve their score.

• Easy to manage: Users can manage and monitor their home network directly from their connected mobile devices. With a single tap, the home screen will display the security score, show the number of threats blocked, and the number of devices currently connected to a home network. Using the app, consumers can remotely adjust Wi-Fi settings and block suspicious behaviour.

• Secure guest access: Norton Core makes it easy to set up and create a secure guest network with a few easy clicks. For added protection, guest access can be set for a specific duration, so when it expires, the guest can no longer connect.

• Automatic updates: Norton Core protection stays new and current by automatically updating itself with the newest features and the latest security updates, without interrupting the connection.

Norton Core will be available in two colour options: Granite Grey and Titanium Gold. Norton Core will first be available in the U.S., with plans to extend the product globally including through retailers at a future date.