Whether you’re an advanced user or simply someone who values online privacy, you may already be familiar with Norton 360’s Split Tunneling feature. This tool allows specific applications to bypass the VPN (Virtual Private Network) for better flexibility in managing your internet traffic. However, one question that frequently arises among users is: Why can’t you easily remove apps from the list once they’ve been added to the Split Tunnel? If you’ve ever been frustrated by this limitation, you’re not alone. Let’s dive deeper and demystify why Norton 360’s Split Tunnel behaves this way.
The Basics of Norton 360’s Split Tunneling
Split Tunneling is a powerful feature of Norton 360’s VPN service, allowing you to control which apps should use the encrypted VPN route and which should directly access the internet. This feature proves invaluable for tasks such as:
- Streaming geo-restricted content: Certain streaming apps may block access from VPNs entirely.
- Online gaming: To maintain low latency, some gamers route their traffic outside the VPN.
- Accessing local network devices: You can ensure printers, shared folders, or IoT devices remain accessible.
While it’s straightforward to add apps to the Split Tunnel list, issues arise when you attempt to remove them. This seemingly unintuitive restriction warrants a closer look.
Why You Can’t Remove Apps from the Split Tunnel List
There are key reasons why Norton 360 doesn’t allow easy removal of apps from its Split Tunneling list once they’ve been added. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Application Behavior and Persistency
Applications often leave behind cached data or processes that continue running in the background, even after being removed from the list. To ensure proper routing of data, Norton 360 keeps these records persistent, believing that you’d likely want the same behavior if those apps are relaunched in the future.
2. Security Compliance
The VPN’s encrypted tunnel provides a critical layer of security. Allowing users to frequently alter the Split Tunnel settings could inadvertently weaken overall protection, especially if changes are made without understanding their implications. By restricting the removal of apps, Norton seeks to maintain a baseline level of security.
3. Logistical Simplicity
From a developer’s perspective, enabling easy additions but restricting deletions simplifies the app’s design and functionality. It reduces potential errors or conflicts that may arise from frequent toggling of apps in and out of the Split Tunnel list.
The underlying idea appears to be centered around stability and safety. Despite its limitations, this approach attempts to create a more reliable user experience for those who may not be tech-savvy.
What Can You Do if You Need to Remove Apps?
If you’re frustrated that you cannot directly remove an app from the Split Tunnel, there are still a few options you can explore:
1. Toggle the Split Tunneling Feature Off
If the app you added now requires VPN protection, consider turning off Split Tunneling entirely. This will route all your traffic through the VPN and override the selective bypass settings.
2. Reinstall the Norton 360 Application
Though not the most efficient solution, uninstalling and reinstalling Norton 360 resets all configurations, effectively clearing the Split Tunnel list. However, make sure to back up other settings you may have customized to avoid losing them.
3. Submit Feedback to Norton
Norton takes its user base seriously. Submitting feedback about this particular limitation could influence future updates. If enough users raise the issue, Norton may reconsider its design choices.
How This Might Change in the Future
The challenge of removing apps from Split Tunneling hints at a tradeoff between user control and system stability. However, as users become more demanding, companies often innovate to strike a better balance. In future updates, Norton may introduce a confirmation step or additional safeguards to allow users to remove apps without sacrificing security or performance.
Until then, users should make deliberate choices when adding apps to the Split Tunnel to avoid complications down the line. Carefully consider whether an app truly requires Split Tunneling or if its inclusion might cause more inconvenience than convenience in the long term.
Conclusion
The inability to remove apps from Norton 360’s Split Tunnel may seem frustrating, but it is driven by reasons rooted in security, functionality, and simplicity. While workarounds exist, it’s essential to use these features thoughtfully to maximize their benefits without unnecessary hassle. Armed with this knowledge, you can make better decisions about using Norton 360’s Split Tunneling feature effectively.
