Pulse / Streaming Updates & Cloud?

Hey,

I'm after a bit of technical information if possible after returning to using Norton 360 after many years out of the loop.

I know quite a number of years ago (2009/2010?), Symantec at the time implemented "Pulse" definition updates, whereby users would receive new signatures roughly every 15 minutes. It seems that this is no longer a thing with the latest Norton products? Instead receiving several LiveUpdates throughout the day only. These Pulse updates seemed like a great idea so perhaps I'm missing something?

I recently evaluated both Avast/AVG (same product), which offer streaming updates and I would rarely have databases that were more than 20 minutes old. Given the fact that Gen Digital own Avast/AVG/Norton, I'm interested to know the reasoning behind the lack of this feature when it was previously introduced?

Additionally, given that siguature updates are only a small part of the scope of protection, what is the current situation regarding cloud detection for new/suspicious samples?
For example, can the product detect malware that is currently not covered by traditional siguatures when an active Internet connection is available due to intelligence available online? I'm a bit out of touch with the product nowadays, given I've been using other software for a number of years, but have just purchased a 10 PC/2 Year 360 Premium license for use going forward so would like to understand this better.

I have no concerns (aside from the default settings giving too many popups and Smart Scan being used as a way to sell more products), as when the appropriate settings are adjusted, the product behaves well and is much lighter on system resources than years ago.

Thank you in advance to anybody who takes the time to read and reply.

Norton Video Tutorials
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/solutions/v10269 20-Nov-2023

Norton Products: How-To Video Hub
https://community.norton.com/en/forums/how-to-video-hub


Thanks bjm_, this was super helpful to ready through.
Certainly seems like the product has come a long way since I last used it.

Feel pretty happy I made the right choice for the next couple of years!

Pulse Updates [here] was when Norton did it's work (heavy lifting) on your machine.  

Nowadays. Norton does it's work in the cloud.  Norton queries the cloud.  
As long as you have internet access.  Your Norton protection is always up-to-date. 

Norton downloads a sub-set of prevalent malware definitions. 
LiveUpdate brings protection and product updates.

LiveUpdate keeps your Norton protection up to date and helps safeguard your device from evolving cybersecurity threats.

By default, your Norton product downloads and installs the latest definition and program updates regularly from Norton servers to help protect your computer from new threats. If you have been offline or turned off Automatic LiveUpdate, you can run LiveUpdate at any time.

Some program updates may require that you restart your computer after you install them.

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb2008052 06-Sep-2023

Features of Norton 360
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/aa/home/current/solutions/v59829727 18-Apr-2024

Real Time Protection
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v15462856 06-Sep-2023

Behavioral Protection identifies emerging threats based on the behavior of files. It detects malicious code before virus definitions are available through LiveUpdate and protects you from advanced threats.

Behavioral Protection categorizes threats as high-certainty or low-certainty based on their behaviors. By default, Behavioral Protection blocks high-certainty threats. You can change the settings to have Behavioral Protection block all threats or ask you to block or allow low-certainty threats when it detects them. If you allow a threat, Behavioral Protection does not notify you if it detects the same threat again.

You must be connected to the Internet to get real-time Behavioral Protection.

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v26386563 17-Jun-2024

FAQ: Norton Data Protector
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v132149446 06-Sep-2023

Intrusion Prevention
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v15471442 17-Jun-2024

Browser Protection
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v15457369 06-Sep-2023

Download Intelligence
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v23920667 06-Sep-2023

Data Protector
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v130571264 24-Apr-2024

Exploit Prevention
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v113665013 02-Jun-2024

Script Control 
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v132996721 13-May-2024

Smart Firewall
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v15471406 06-Sep-2023

SafeCam
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v126148153 24-Apr-2024

Norton 360 v22.24.3.2