Time calls the Norton Core router one of the best inventions of 2017. What’s so great about this device from the people who bring you Norton Security software? Let’s check it out.
What sets Core apart is that it is designed to protect your entire home network. One of the best features of the Core is that if it detects a problem on one of your devices, it cuts it off from your home network and prevents malware from spreading to other devices. This protection is especially important if you’re using smart home devices.
The device comes with a year of Norton Core Security included. Unlike most security software, that only protects the device its installed on, Core Security protects every device that connects to your Core router. It offers protection for PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets, and smart home devices. Norton says that you don’t need additional anti-virus protection. If you’re a current Norton subscriber, once you make this purchase and activate your Norton Core Security, the time remaining on your current Norton subscription will be added to that subscription.
The device is compact, just a 6″ by 6″ dome. It packs some punch with a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, 802.11 ac WiFi, and gives you a maximum 2.5 Gbps speed. The Core simultaneously transmits at 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band connection.
With a phased array antenna and advanced beamforming, it should be able to provide coverage for between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet.
An app allows you to monitor your network in real time. You can check your data usage, monitor the upload and download speeds and test your network speed.
The router can automatically recognize new devices and you’ll be able to add guests with just one touch.
The smart parental controls allow you to control access to the network for multiple users. You’ll be able to control the Internet access for kids and even set a bedtime in the evening when network access shuts off. You can also instantly cut off network access for individuals or pause the Internet.
The parental controls will also allow you to set a filter for each user by their age and block certain categories.
You’ll also be able to control which devices get priority on the network. You can set the TV or your home office PC to top priority and dial back game consoles or other devices to make sure you don’t have buffering issues while watching Netflix or a problem uploading an important file to work. And this can all be done with one touch from your phone.
To keep all of the security features of the router going, you will have to renew your Norton Core Security subscription in a year. Without that, you just have a nice high-speed router with standard security. But, as I mentioned before, the Norton Core subscription does cover all of your devices and no additional anti-virus purchase is required.
In many ways, it is giving you the tools to be a home IT manager. These days with so many devices that connect to your home network, it’s pretty darn useful to have those tools.
Norton Core Router retails for $279, but Amazon is offering it with a $30 discount at this writing.