Norton Review

Our verdict: Norton Ad Blocker is a browser-based ad blocker from Norton, one of the best-known names in consumer security. It removes many ads, pop-ups and trackers while you browse, helping pages load faster and look cleaner. Read our review to see what it does, where it works and what to keep in mind.

WHO IS BEHIND NORTON AD BLOCKER?

Norton Ad Blocker is made by Norton, a consumer security brand owned by Gen Digital, the company formerly called NortonLifeLock. Gen Digital also owns Avast, AVG and other security brands, and Norton itself has been producing antivirus software for decades. Norton Ad Blocker extends that experience to everyday browsing by tackling annoying and potentially risky ads.

WHO IS NORTON AD BLOCKER FOR?

It is for anyone who is tired of cluttered web pages, auto-playing video ads and pop-ups, and who prefers a simple tool from a familiar security brand. It is a good fit for people who want an ad blocker that works out of the box without managing filter lists.

KEY FEATURES

Ad blocking

- removes many banner, pop-up and video ads from the websites you visit.
Video ads
- aims to cut down on ads shown before and during online videos, including on popular video sites.
Pop-up blocking
- stops annoying pop-up windows that interrupt your browsing.
Tracker blocking
- limits third-party trackers that follow you around the web, helping to protect your privacy.
Faster browsing
- with fewer ads and scripts to load, many pages open more quickly and use less data.
Allow list
- lets you switch the blocker off for websites you want to support, with a click in the browser.
Simple controls
- shows how much has been blocked and lets you pause blocking whenever you like.

IS IT SAFE AND RELIABLE?

Norton Ad Blocker comes from an established security company, so it is a safer choice than ad blockers from unknown developers that may request wide permissions for unclear reasons. Like all browser ad blockers, it needs permission to read and change the pages you visit in order to remove ads, and Norton explains how it handles data in its privacy policy. Blocking ads also reduces exposure to malicious advertising, which is sometimes used to spread scams and malware.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

No ad blocker catches every ad, and large sites regularly change how they deliver ads, so occasional ads may slip through until the blocker is updated. Some websites ask visitors to disable ad blockers, in which case you can use the allow list. Norton Ad Blocker works inside the browser, so it does not block ads in other apps on your device. It also offers fewer advanced options, such as custom filter rules, than some open-source blockers.

EASE OF USE AND PLATFORMS

Norton Ad Blocker is available as an extension for popular desktop browsers, such as Chrome and Edge, and for Safari on Apple devices. Installation takes just a few clicks from the browser's extension store or Norton's website, and the blocker starts working right away with sensible default settings.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Norton offers an extensive online support centre with guides and FAQs, a community forum and live chat support for its products. Paid Norton subscriptions come with a money-back guarantee, according to Norton's terms.

OUR VERDICT

Norton Ad Blocker is an easy way to make browsing cleaner, faster and more private, backed by a trusted security brand. It handles most ads, pop-ups and trackers with no setup. Users who want deep customisation may prefer a more technical blocker, but for most people looking for a simple, reliable ad blocker, Norton's tool is a sensible choice.