Is Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant Worth It? [2024 Review]

What Is Norton’s Privacy Monitor Assistant?

Online privacy has become a major concern for millions of Americans. Every day, people-search sites and data brokers scrape information about you from all over the internet, which they then aggregate and sell to businesses, marketers, and even scammers. 

62% of Americans believe it’s impossible to go through their daily life without companies collecting their personal data [*].

To help maintain their privacy and protect against online scams, many people are turning to data removal services for help. One such service is Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant — but is its limited feature set worth the price, or overly costly for what you receive?

In this guide, we’ll review what Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant does, its features and downsides, and how it compares to other services like Aura. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision. 

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What Does Norton Privacy Monitor Do? Plans, Features, and Pricing

Norton’s Privacy Monitor is a service that scans data broker and people search websites for customers’ personal information, including their phone numbers, current and past addresses, and driver’s license details.

All Norton 360 with LifeLock plans come equipped with Norton Privacy Monitor — but this is not the same thing as Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant (which is a separate service that comes at an additional cost).

While both services scan data broker sites for sensitive information, the main difference is that Norton Privacy Monitor will only alert you if it finds your information — while Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant will actively submit data removal requests on your behalf. 

Requesting removal of your information can be a time-consuming process, especially if your information is uploaded to multiple data broker sites. Even after removal, it can sometimes be reaggregated again. Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant handles these removals and opts-outs for you, so you don’t have to do it yourself.

Here’s a breakdown of other differences you should be aware of:

Along with making requests on your behalf, the main benefit of using Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant is that it re-scans data broker databases quarterly, in case they re-add your information.

However, Norton Privacy Monitor only scans a limited number of data brokers, so your information could still be listed elsewhere. Add to that the fact that many customers on Norton’s online forums have complained about a lack of results [*], and you may be wondering whether this service’s expensive price tag is justified.

To help you decide, let’s dive deeper into the features you get with Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant:

Data broker and people search site scans

Norton’s Privacy Monitor Assistant scans 19 data broker sites — including BeenVerified, PeopleLookUp, Spokeo, PublicRecords, and Instant Checkmate — for your personal information, such as your full name and address.

You’ll be able to scan this list of sites every three months to check if data brokers have added (or re-added) your personal data to their lists.

What you need to know: Norton only scans a tiny fraction of the hundreds of data brokers operating in the United States alone [*]. While it scans the larger people search sites, Norton can’t guarantee that your information won’t still be available on other websites.

Opt-out requests

If your information is found on a people search site, it is possible to get it removed. But the more data brokers that have gotten hold of your information, the more time-consuming the process becomes.

Norton’s support agents handle this process for you, which involves them submitting opt-out requests on your behalf to get your information removed.

What you need to know: Opting out isn’t a guarantee that your data will be removed. Organizations are under no obligation to delete your data unless your state has a comprehensive data privacy law. 

They can even sell your information to another broker without your knowledge [*]. If you only need removals on a couple of sites, it may not be worth paying Norton to request this for you.

💡 Related: How To Remove Your Personal Information From TruthFinder →

Additional privacy features (Norton 360 bundle)

Norton 360 Deluxe and all Norton 360 with LifeLock bundle plans come equipped with Norton Privacy Monitor. Purchasing one of these plans gives you access to a wider range of features that provide more comprehensive protection than simply purchasing the Privacy Monitor Assistant.

Pricing for Norton 360 with LifeLock plans ranges from $14.99 – $34.99/month.

What you get with a Norton 360 with LifeLock subscription:

• Identity monitoring. LifeLock identity monitoring includes Dark Web monitoring, identity and Social Security number (SSN) alerts, home title monitoring, social media monitoring, and more.
• One or three-bureau credit monitoring. You get one-bureau credit monitoring with Equifax on the LifeLock Select and Advantage plans. The Ultimate Plus plan provides monitoring with all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).
• Device and internet security tools. Norton 360 comes with an antivirus software, secure virtual private network (VPN), parental controls, and other features to keep your mobile devices and Mac and Windows computers safe from cybercriminals.
• Up to $3 million in insurance coverage. On the Ultimate Plus plan, you’ll be covered for up to $1 million each in lawyers and expert fees, stolen funds reimbursement, and personal expense reimbursement.

What you need to know: Only the Norton Privacy Monitor is included with Norton 360 with LifeLock plans. If you want Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant, you’ll have to purchase it as an add-on to your plan.

Is Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant Worth It? 5 Things To Know

Norton and LifeLock have been around for over a decade and have helped protect millions of people against identity theft and online threats. 

But there are some issues you should be aware of before investing in its privacy products:

1. Limited privacy protection. Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant is extremely limited in the number of data brokers it scans for your personal information, and it lacks additional features to help protect your identity and privacy.
2. Many customers complain about lack of results. The biggest draw for Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant is its done-for-you data broker removal and opt-out requests. However, several subscribers reported that they received no updates while paying for the service; and in some cases, their personal information remained exposed on data broker sites [*].
3. Expensive stand-alone service. Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant charges a premium for what is essentially a data broker scanner and removal service. Compared to other services like Aura that offer this and more for just $5/month, it's difficult to justify paying more than $100/year for Norton.
4. Norton’s recent password leak. A December 2022 breach affected nearly one million users when hackers were able to obtain Norton customer usernames and passwords to hack into accounts. The breach exposed customer names, contact information, and passwords stored in Norton’s secure password manager [*].
5. LifeLock’s history of privacy issues. LifeLock doesn’t have the best track record for keeping its users’ information private, which could make you hesitate before signing up. In 2015, LifeLock paid out a settlement of $100 million to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for failing to secure customers’ personal information. This settlement was in response to a 2010 FTC order that LifeLock allegedly violated [*].

The bottom line: Norton (and LifeLock) have been among the best-known companies in their industries for years — but they haven’t always been seen in the best light. The company’s security issues, deceptive marketing, and expensive products may make you want to consider an alternative.

💡 Learn more: Is LifeLock Worth It? What To Know Before Buying →

Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant vs. Aura: Which One Is Better?

So, is Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant worth it?

Maybe. But there are also plenty of alternatives that offer similar or better privacy protection without the downsides — or steep cost — of Norton.

Aura is a modern identity and privacy protection solution. Though a relatively new player in the market, Aura has already been rated #1 by Money.com, Forbes, TechRadar, and more.

With stronger privacy protection, all-in-one identity protection, and easy-to-use device security tools, Aura’s Privacy Protection plans offer a more robust feature set that gives it a competitive edge against Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant — at a much lower price point.

Here’s why you should consider Aura’s privacy plans over Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant:

• Better value. Aura’s fully-featured privacy plan comes with all the functionality Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant offers — plus identity, credit, and financial monitoring — for just $5/month. Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant costs more than twice that and comes with fewer features.
• Includes identity and financial protection. Data broker removal is only a fraction of what you get with Aura. You also get home and auto title monitoring, court records monitoring, credit card and financial transaction monitoring, one-bureau credit monitoring and lock, and more.
• Advanced digital security. Aura plans come equipped with a full suite of digital security tools — including a VPN and antivirus software for up to 10 devices, scam and phishing site protection, anti-track and ad block software, and a secure password manager.
• 24/7 U.S.-based support. Aura’s U.S.-based support team is available 24/7 so you can get help quickly when you need it. If you become a victim of identity fraud, Aura’s dedicated team of White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists can walk you through the steps of restoring your identity.
• Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. Aura provides a generous insurance policy on its Ultimate privacy plan. In the event your identity is stolen while using the service, you’ll be covered for $1 million in eligible losses and fees.

How To Cancel Your Norton Privacy Monitor or LifeLock Plan

You can cancel your Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant or LifeLock plan at any time. However, to be eligible for a full refund, you’ll need to request cancellation within:

• 14 days of purchase for monthly subscriptions
• 60 days of purchase or 60 days before renewal for annual subscriptions

To request a cancellation, contact LifeLock support or log in to your LifeLock account and select “Request Support.”

You can cancel your entire LifeLock plan and simultaneously cancel all bundled services, including Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant.

Alternatively, you can elect to cancel Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant only and remain a regular LifeLock customer.

How To Keep Your Private Information Off the Internet

While privacy apps and tools can certainly help, they can’t protect you against all threats. One of the best things you can do is limit the amount of information that is available about you online.

Here are some other steps you can take to keep your sensitive information private while browsing online:

• Secure your accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA). Complex, unique passwords are your first line of defense against hackers. Use a password manager to securely store your passwords so that you don’t have to worry about remembering them.
• Review the privacy settings on your online accounts. It’s a good idea to review your social media privacy settings and any other accounts that you use regularly. Consider making these accounts private and turning off location tracking to improve your online privacy.
• Use a VPN, especially while connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi networks are often intercepted by hackers who want to steal your information. A virtual private network (VPN) prevents hackers and other eavesdroppers from being able to track your IP address or browsing history.
• Set up automatic updates on your devices. Sophisticated scammers often take advantage of known security vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems. Enabling automatic updates ensures that these vulnerabilities are promptly patched. One recent December 2023 Android security update patched 94 vulnerabilities, including critical-severity flaws [*].
• Only download apps from official app stores. Hackers design fake mobile apps that, when downloaded, infect your device with malware, trackers, or other viruses. The official Apple App Store (for iOS devices) and Google Play Store (for Android) are more likely to only approve real apps — though you should still do your due diligence to make sure all apps are legitimate before downloading them.
• Use an identity theft protection service to monitor your information. Even if you take precautions, your information is at risk whenever you browse, shop, or share online. An identity theft protection provider like Aura can monitor your sensitive information around the clock and alert you to signs of fraud.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Pay for Subpar Privacy Protection

While NortonLifeLock Privacy Monitor Assistant can help keep your information off some of the largest people search sites, it’s an expensive service that doesn’t really provide the level of protection it claims.

For one, it only scans a small handful of the hundreds of data broker websites all over the internet. And customers with exposed information have complained that Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant doesn’t always get their information removed promptly — if it even does at all.

For more comprehensive privacy protection, consider Aura. Aura’s privacy plans come with data broker opt-outs, junk mail and spam call removal, and online account monitoring. Plus, you’ll get access to a secure VPN and antivirus software — all for one low monthly fee.

Protect your privacy (and identity) online with Aura – starting at $3/month.