Norton 360 Now Includes an Ethereum Cryptocurrency Miner

According to Bleeping Computer, NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec Corporation) has integrated an Ethereum cryptocurrency miner into its Norton 360 antivirus software. This move aims to protect users from malicious mining software by offering a built-in, secure alternative.

The new feature, called Norton Crypto, will be rolled out to early adopters of Norton 360 starting this week. When Norton Crypto is enabled, the antivirus will use the device’s graphics card to mine Ethereum. The mined cryptocurrency will then be transferred to a cloud wallet managed by Norton.

The company claims that this feature allows users to mine Ethereum without compromising their security, as mining software often triggers antivirus and other security solutions due to its potential risks.

How Norton Crypto Works

It is still unclear whether each device running Norton Crypto will mine independently or if users will be grouped into a mining pool to increase the chances of earning a block reward. If a pool is used and managed by Norton, the company could charge a small fee for the mined Ethereum, as is common with pool operators. This would provide Norton with an additional source of revenue.

“As the crypto economy becomes a more important part of our customers’ lives, we want to empower them to mine cryptocurrency with Norton, a brand they trust,” said Vincent Pilette, CEO of NortonLifeLock.

Potential Tax Implications

Meanwhile, media outlets have noted that some Norton 360 users who choose to enable Norton Crypto may face a “surprise” from tax authorities. For example, in the United States, mined cryptocurrency is subject to taxation and must be reported on tax returns.