Symantec Norton Core Wi-Fi Router Promises To Secure Smart Home And Office

Symantec is releasing a new Wi-Fi router that it claims can help solve the issue of Internet of Things (IoT) security and protect the home office.

The Norton Core is pitched as a smart router that delivers high performance Wi-Fi connectivity while actively protecting against the myriad of threats aimed at the smart home.

In recent times, numerous botnets that spread via unprotected endpoints such as CCTV camera have caused significant Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that have taken down several popular websites.

IoT security

To remedy this, Symantec is promising to inspect every data packet sent across the network to check for viruses, spam and intrusions and if the router detects a device with known vulnerabilities it can be quarantined onto a segregated network.

Automatic security updates are sent to the Norton Core and users can check their ‘security score’ on software that also provides tips on how to improve it and allows them to remotely change their settings. Secure guest access is also an option.

As for connectivity, the router supports 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi on the 2.5GHz and 5GHz bands. Symantec also promises an “attractive” design so owners will want to put it on display and not block the signal by sticking it behind furniture.

There is no firm UK release date for the appliance, but Symantec has told Silicon availability is planned for 2017. It will cost $279.99 (£244.75) after introductory offers expire and one year’s subscription to Norton Securty is included. After this period, the subscription is $9.99 (£8.15) a month.

Security experts have frequently expressed their concerns about the security of the IoT, which is set to embed itself further into the home, workplace and industry in the coming years. In particular, observers are worried that much of the software that powers the technology is based on older versions of operating systems that are vulnerable to attack.

“The big concern is looking at the whole landscape of different devices that we’re buying as small businesses and consumers; the weird connected junk, the Wi-Fi toothbrush all the way up to the connected car and the like; the whole ecosystem. What scares me is that as a society we depend on all of this stuff more and more and more,” James Lyne, global head of security research at Sophos, told a panel at IP Expo.

Quiz: What do you know about the Internet of Things?