Ghostery and Norton Privacy Suite: A Comparison

What is the Norton Privacy Suite?

Norton, primarily known for its antivirus products, bundles various privacy features within its Norton security suites. These aren't typically sold as a single "Privacy Suite" but are integrated components. Key privacy-related features include:

• Norton Secure VPN, which encrypts your internet connection for enhanced privacy.
• Dark Web Monitoring that alerts you if your personal info appears on shady parts of the internet
• Privacy Monitor, which scans data broker sites for your details

Norton also offers Norton Safe Web for blocking malicious sites and the Norton Secure Browser based on Chromium for a more locked-down experience.

Norton AntiTrack protects your online activities and conceals your digital footprint. It prevents browsers and websites from fingerprinting you. You can view active trackers on its dashboard, enable anti‑fingerprinting defenses, and block trackers and cookies.

While Norton AntiTrack exists to specifically combat trackers and fingerprinting, much of the anti-tracking functionality users encounter comes integrated within the broader Norton 360 packages or the Secure Browser's Privacy Guard. It's worth noting that while Privacy Monitor finds your info on data broker sites, you'll need to pay extra for Privacy Monitor Assistant if you want Norton to handle the removal requests for you.

What platforms does Norton work on?

Norton 360 Suite works on:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS

The Norton AntiTrack browser extension works on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Windows and macOS, and Safari on iOS.

How does Norton Privacy Suite compare to Ghostery?

Tracker Blocking

Both aim to stop trackers, but their approaches differ. Ghostery focuses specifically on blocking ads, trackers, and sophisticated browser fingerprinting attempts using its extensive, community-updated database.

Norton provides Norton AntiTrack as its dedicated tool to block online trackers.

Norton also integrates privacy protection into several other features. For instance, the Norton Secure Browser includes a Privacy Guard feature, and Norton's VPN actively blocks trackers from ads. They also have a Data Protector feature guard against ransomware; it prevents unauthorized programs from changing your files.

Blocking Malicious Sites

Norton leverages its cybersecurity background with Norton Safe Web, actively scanning links and websites to warn against or block access to known malicious or compromised sites.

Ghostery's primary function isn't malware site blocking, but by blocking malicious ads (malvertising), it can indirectly prevent users from landing on dangerous pages.

User Interface

Ghostery is often praised for its simple, user-friendly interface, making it easy to see blocked items and manage settings.

Norton 360, conversely, uses a dual-interface system ("My Norton" and "Classic view") which some users find confusing and less streamlined, requiring navigation between both to access all settings and features.

Control Options

Ghostery provides straightforward controls, allowing users to easily pause blocking or whitelist specific sites. It also offers detailed statistics on blocked trackers.

Norton offers granular controls within its various components (firewall, VPN, parental controls, backup), but these settings are spread across its different interfaces and modules. Customizing Norton's behavior can involve digging into deeper settings menus.

Privacy

This is where philosophies diverge. Ghostery operates primarily as a free, open-source browser extension focused on blocking ads and trackers. It features a "Never-Consent" option to automatically reject cookie consent pop-ups and prevents Google from knowing what search results you clicked on.

Norton is a large commercial entity offering broad security suites. While it provides privacy tools like a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring, features like Privacy Monitor require additional payment for full functionality (automated data removal). Users also report encountering upselling attempts within the Norton interface.

Pros & Cons of Norton Privacy Suite

Pros

• Comprehensive Norton Security: Integrates award-winning antivirus with features like VPN, password manager, cloud backup, and parental controls
• Strong Malware/Phishing Protection: Effective at blocking dangerous websites and malware threats
• Cross-Platform: Offers protection across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (though some features are platform-specific)
• Virus Protection Promise: Offers expert help or a refund if malware gets through

Cons

• Complexity: Dual interface can be confusing to navigate; UI is bloated
• Cost & Upselling: Requires a paid subscription, and users may encounter prompts to buy additional services or upgrades
• Performance Impact: Can slow down PCs, especially during scans on less powerful hardware
• Feature Limitations: Parental controls lack macOS support; cloud backup is mainly for Windows and local backup can be buggy; VPN offers limited configuration options compared to standalones

Pros & Cons of Ghostery

Pros

• Broader Protection: Ghostery also blocks ads, not just trackers.
• Excellent Tracker Blocking: Industry-leading identification and blocking of a vast array of web trackers.
• Transparency and Insight: Provides information about trackers and the organizations behind them via WhoTracks.Me.
• Free: Core ad and tracker blocking features are available at no cost
• Effective Ad Blocking: Generally performs well in blocking various types of ads and can block ads on YouTube as well as on streaming services like Netflix.
• Privacy Focused: Blocks tracking and fingerprinting; includes "Never-Consent" for cookie popups
• User-Friendly: Simple and intuitive interface

Cons

• Slightly More Complex: Some people may find Ghostery's detailed way of analyzing trackers too complex for their needs.
• Broader Protection by Default: Ghostery goes the extra mile with its adblock and cookie pop-up coverage, and this approach sometimes stops web pages from working correctly.
• Platform Gaps: No dedicated Android app (relies on Firefox for Android extension as Chrome does not allow extensions on mobile)

Summary

Norton 360 offers a wide-ranging security blanket, bundling antivirus, VPN, monitoring, and more into one subscription. It's a good option if you want an all-in-one security solution from a well-known brand and don't mind the cost or potential complexity.

Ghostery, on the other hand, is a more focused tool, excelling as a free and user-friendly ad and tracker blocker for your browser. It's ideal if your main goal is to clean up your browsing experience, speed up page loads, and  tracking without paying for a full security suite.

As always, get in touch with our team if you have any questions.