Norton Core Secure WiFi Router

Product Description

Norton Core is a secure WiFi router that helps protect your home network and an unlimited number of your devices, including computers, mobile and smart home devices against malware, viruses, hackers, and cybercriminals. Norton Core is available for purchase and use only in the US.

Features

• This product has been discontinued and is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Top Reviews

This is a great router with excellent gateway security features!
by bbm (5 out of 5 stars)
November 2, 2017

I have been using this secure router since it became available and the updates since then have been making it better and better. I understand the concerns raised by others, but this is an excellent router with excellent security capabilities. I have a Google Onhub with Cujo firewall, and I prefer using just the Norton Core for both my wifi and security needs.

Yes, you will get slower performance on HTTP (unsecure) traffic to approximately 70 megabytes per second to handle deep packet inspection. But on HPPS (secure) traffic, which most websites and streaming content is provided under, it is not slowed down. Comparing my Google Onhub and Cujo firewall configuration with simply the Norton Core and on the highest security setting, I found no issues with streaming high-definition content over my Roku devices or on my computers.

For peace of mind, I prefer having the added security that Norton Core provides. It has already caught viruses at the gateway level before they ever reach an endpoint (my computer or phone). And it has also already caught malicious websites at the gateway level before my computer accesses them. It simply adds an extra level of security to the 20+ wifi connected items in my home.

I'm a proud owner and would recommend it to anyone. And even though I give Cujo high marks as well, my more recent experience with the Norton Core now prefers it more. I still remain disappointed that Cujo could not detect at the gateway level a test virus that basically every virus scan would immediately detect. Norton Core quickly detected it. Plus I am optimistic that the underlying software and firmware with Norton Core will only get better, as it already has over the last three months.
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Update after about a week
by AS (3 out of 5 stars)
August 11, 2017

Update after about a week playing with this product: I have come to the conclusion that it does not quite hit the sweet spot between speed and security that it claims to and my FiOS Gateway router is adequate for now.

First, I tested the basic router performance by disabling Core's security inspection feature. Core's 5g wifi range is larger than FiOS Gateway router's. I was getting good 5g signal from Core in the attic where FiOS Gateway had spotty coverage. Even when placed in the basement, both Core and FiOS Gateway provide enough coverage on 2.5g band throughout my 3500sqft house and a small urban yard 6000sqft.

Wifi speed was comparable on both routers-on my iphone7 I was getting more than 300mbps on 5g from both routers. Maybe, Core was getting slightly better wifi speed but not by much. On the other hand, wired speed from Core (around 500-600mbps) is less than FiOS Gateway (around 700-800mbps), as I have noted before. My workhorse computer in the home office and xbox in the game room are wired through cat5 and I notice the difference when downloading large files from the cloud. For me this is only a difference of few seconds here and there so I can live with this.

The big issue with Core is the drop in speed when you turn on the security feature in any mode. In the advanced security mode, which is supposed to inspect all unencrypted traffic, the wifi speed drops to about 70mbps max as someone else has already noted. Wired speed tends to be slightly higher but still no more than 80mbps. Interestingly, these speeds are about the same in the default security mode as well, which is supposed to only inspect unencrypted traffic from "not trusted" sources. So, what you essentially have is a router with max speed of 70mbps in any security mode. While 70mbps is usually enough for any single device, when you have more than a dozen devices/computers and several of them start streaming high quality content it gets used up pretty quickly. And 70mbps is clearly a noticeable limit when moving large files through the cloud.

So, if you want to sacrifice significant speed for security or don't have the need for speeds beyond 70mbps, Core might work for you. Since, most of our internet use is for trusted sources like Amazon/Apple/Google/Netflix etc and for work via Citrix, for me the added security is not worth the speed sacrifice. I was hoping Core has hit a sweet spot where it lets the trusted sources at high speed and only inspects the "untrusted" sources as it claims to in the default security mode. But in my testing I am not convinced it does that.

So, back to FiOS Gateway router for me. Another small consideration in my decision was the fact that I also get TV services through FiOS. To get all the TV features from FiOS you essentially have to use their Gateway router. There are some complicated workarounds that I am not inclined to pursue. I would have sacrificed some TV features if Core had hit the sweet spot on security vs speed.

INITIAL review:

My FiOS gateway router was doing a decent job but I was attracted to Norton Core by the security features. I am still evaluating the product but here are some initial observations--download speed reduction is a BIG ISSUE.

Set up was not that difficult but the access to ethernet ports on the back is pretty tight. Not easy to fit the wires through narrow opening and you have to bend the wire sharply right at the RJ45 junction. Bad functional design. Trying to be too cute with the look. Everyone wants to be a iPhone.

Built in speed test in the Core app shows ISP to Core speed are less than what my FiOS router was getting. Download speed dropped from the average of 800mbps to about 600mbps. Upload speed was hardly affected. I am hoping that the drop in download speed it due to the "deep packet inspection" or whatever security check that the Core is doing. If some techies could confirm this that would be helpful. Otherwise the noticeable drop in download speed is a big negative.

Final speed to the individual devices are significantly lower compared to FiOS router. On my computer connected through ethernet wire, final download speed through FiOS router averaged 800mbps but I am only getting about 200mbps though the Core but upload speed was hardly affected. As I noted above, there is already a drop from 800 to 600 between the ISP and the Core, presumably for security checks. Not sure why there is additional drop all the way down 200 to get to a wired computer. This is a BIG ISSUE.

Similar drop in speed to wifi connected devices. My iPhone 7 easily used to get 300/400mbps on 5g band from FiOS router. But now I am down to 60/70mbps through Core, which is lower than the speed I was getting on 2.5g band through FiOS router. I have not separated 2.5g and 5g networks on the Core yet. I want to see what iPhone will get on dedicated 5g band.

Still playing with all the features on the app--grouping, managing, prioritizing etc. App is definitely a plus compared to browser based management for my FiOS router. Also, the FiOS router was interfering with my video feeds across my local devices due to some SIP-AGL protocol but is working properly through Core.

Bottom line: still evaluating but the drop in download speed is a BIG ISSUE. Unless there is a legit reason like added security for such drop in final speed to the devices, I am inclined to return this.
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I like my Norton Core
by Enbee (5 out of 5 stars)
August 14, 2017

I like my Norton Core.I feel back in control of my home network for the first time in a while and excited enough to finally write a review.

I have about 30 devices on my network between computers, tablets, phones, gaming consoles, Fire TVs, Alexa, Smart Lights/Lamps/Switches/Scale/ TV, Connected Receiver, Printers, Security Cam, Projector, Camera etc. and have been waiting for something like this for a long time.

This is the first time I know each and every device on my network - all easily identifiable by name and not by some indecipherable MAC address. I love the activity stream and alerts that tell me among other things if any new device has joined my network on my app on my phone which is with me at all times. I don't know how good the protection will work on these devices yet, but like the fact that i have added at least an extra deterrent for someone snooping around trying to look for a way in via a backdoor.

Also, I really like the integrated ability to control internet access by device, user, time of day, time spent online, type of content accessed and the ability to turn off the internet on demand.

I have already sent back my Verizon router and connected my Core directly to the internet with the help of Verizon's helpdesk ( I have an online cable subscription) and so there is no way to access internet without going via the Core.

There is a small lag that i notice sometimes in terms of speed but given the added control over my network and its security, it seems worth it to me. No noticeable change in streaming quality or FaceTime chats. I have not yet felt the need to prioritize access to any device.

I would enthusiastically recommend it especially for non networking geeks with multiple devices and/or need to control internet access. I have always felt like there should be an app for all of that, and now these is and it is very good.

I have a smallish home so don't know how the wifi performance with keep up over a bigger area.

Would like to see even more control on the network -like devices have to be approved before they can join, performance and analytics charts like Strava for the network :), and set times for whole wifi/internet to be up/down. Am also curious to try out the on demand guest network feature which i have not tested yet.
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Institutes discipline within the household without arguments!
by Fred C (5 out of 5 stars)
April 9, 2018

I was somewhat reluctant to replace my DSL Router/Modem, but I was experiencing quite a few incidences where it would drop connections and require a power cycle to reconnect service. I became quite frustrated with that exercise, so I read about this new Norton Core device and since I'd used Norton security products for years, thought it would be a good idea to look into what it had to offer. I did not know whether a hardware device coming from Norton would be as reliable as I would expect, but knew that I could return it if it was unreliable. I read all the reviews and it seemed as if a lot of the hardware issues were addressed as well as any buggy functionality that existed early on. I work from home and require the best service possible, so I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, the installation and transition from a combined router/modem DSL setup went off without a hitch. The only issues I've experienced with this device in the beginning were a couple of times I had to reboot in order to get Wifi devices like the Smart TV in different rooms connections to stabilize. Once that was done, I've not encountered any other connection problems. Speed is better than I expected and no buffering goes on when watching movies on any device in the house. I can say that I am very pleased with this purchase and look forward to it getting even better as time goes on.

Consistent reliability - No more Modem/Router headaches. Easy setup and the ability to control access to devices connected works like a charm. I have an 11 yr old grandson in the house and even he has accepted the limitations I've put in place. It becomes a way of life without much complaining since, "it's the system" that enforces it.

Thank you Norton, my life is so much better now!
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Don't buy a second one!
by Robert J. (3 out of 5 stars)
September 25, 2018

I bought the Core Router when they first came out more than a year ago. I really liked it and the tech support was terrific which is why I gave it the ratings I did. But, I had to return this one, that I purchased from Amazon. We have a second home, so this year I decided to buy a second router and ordered it from Amazon. I purchased my first unit directly from Norton. I wasn't aware that only one of these may be used per Norton account. That means if you want to use a second one, you must have two accounts, with two annual fees. I'm not going to do that, so I returned this unit. It's too bad they can't support two unit on the same account, and equally bad that they don't say that anywhere in the write up, at least that I could find.
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Switched from Cujo - Core faster - App needs work - Core needs a bridge mode option
by Sting J (4 out of 5 stars)
November 10, 2017

Switched from a Cujo as Cujo can only handle up to 650MB speed, and I found it cut speed in half for devices downstream of it (in bridge mode). I'm using a 1GB FIOS connection, Core is near full speed though (for Ethernet connections downstream). This is the best feature of the device for me as it keeps high speed for all wired connections very high. App needs work though. App will only show speed tests up to 500MB - odd when it can handle more speed through it. Also the app squawks about iOS clients not having Norton installed - odd since the Norton iOS app does little for security. The app also complains that I have double-NAT -- which I know and want for my configuration. I left the FIOS set top boxes on their own so all would work well with caller ID and FIOS features. Everything else is sub net off the Core. But the app won't stop complaining about it.

Biggest change for the Core itself that would help improve flexibility is if the Core could run in Bridge mode as an option. I ran the Cujo that way and that is best for my 90+ devices - working with the FIOS Quantum router.
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Don't trust Speedtest.net results, packet inspection messes with the Speedtest.
by Josh Borden (5 out of 5 stars)
August 17, 2017

Phenomenal router. Looks absolutely beautiful but also performs very well! We are getting the maximum speed of our internet connection 155 MBit through the router every time, even from outside across the street!

I saw many people complaining about the speed of the router, but that is because they are likely using a Speedtest service to test the internet connection speed that is being disrupted by the deep packet inspection process of this router. That is part of the security fesutures. If you turn off that feature you'll see the speed go way up. It's not giving an accurate measurement because the deep packet inspection disrupts the speed test, but not the actual internet connection speed.

To see accurate speed test results with this router, fast.com works best we have found.

At any rate, we are very happy with this router so far. It's really a fine piece of equipment!

It's even more beautiful in 'person' than it looks in the pictures. I thought it looked kind of tacky in the pictures, but in 'person' it looks really classy, I think at least :)
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Beautiful design. Protects my family. Addictive app.
by JPurr (5 out of 5 stars)
November 7, 2017

I should disclose that I am an employee with Symantec. Norton Core was something that caught my eye even before I was an employee due to the design and the breadth of the parental controls.

Norton Core has been up and running in my home for a few weeks now. It was pretty straightforward to set-up, following the directions from the mobile app. And I set this up myself! No help from my husband. While the design is what initially caught my attention, the app is what really keeps me coming back for more. I must say, I am really addicted to the mobile app. I can see every device that is on my network. I can set content filters and time limits for my kids. And I can see the number of threats stopped and from which device. This tells me it's doing what it should. Very pleased.
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Security features and easy app-based setup
by Richard (5 out of 5 stars)
December 23, 2017

This router is a part of the new wave of routers offering attractive design with intuitive setup and premium features. Setup is handled with a phone app instead of plugging your computer into an ethernet port.

This router offers additional security as features beyond those you may find in a more standard router or one your ISP may provide. A basic router will offer encryption of your wireless signal (so others cannot connect to or eavesdrop on your local wireless traffic) and a simple firewall to block some potential malicious threats probing around the internet for vulnerable machines. This router has additional capabilities to analyze pages or sites you visit to detect potential threats before you mistakenly infect yourself. If you or someone in your household is not savvy about what sites to visit and what software or plugins to install, this router will screen and filter out many potential threats for you. The downside to these features are that this kind of analysis does add one more step to filter all your internet traffic and ultimately would require constant updates to recognize the newest threats, thus the reduction in speed and unfortunate subscription requirement. However, with the number and variety of devices we connect to our network, it is simpler to have this running than installing anti virus and malware software on each device.
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Faster that Netgear R8000
by HamsterRat (5 out of 5 stars)
April 17, 2018

Almost twice the speed of my Netgear R8000 even with deep packet inspection settings at maximum. This thing screams. Metal Fortiguard test was phenomenal. Moved from Cujo to this since Cujo doesn't work as advertised and doesn't block most malware/viruses and its blacklist is outdated.

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