Symantec Acquires Windows Security Vendor PC Tools

Symantec has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PC Tools, a provider of security and utilities software for Microsoft Windows.

Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2008, were not disclosed. Headquartered in Australia, PC Tools has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and the Ukraine. According to Symantec, the acquisition is meant to expand Symantec's reach into new markets and bring PC Tools' computer maintenance, utility and security technologies into Symantec's consumer products. PC Tools' product portfolio includes Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic and Desktop Maestro, which integrates registry cleaning, system monitoring and privacy cleaning.

"As consumers create more and more digital information, they are looking for help in securing and managing that information across devices," said Nicole Kenyon, a spokesperson for Symantec. "Our focus has always been to help consumers manage their technology, from system utilities to security and online backup. PC Tools will broaden our portfolio in the utilities category, as well as with point security technologies."

Kenyon noted that PC Tools offers three enterprise products, including Spyware Doctor Enterprise, and Symantec might look for opportunities to integrate PC Tools' technologies into its enterprise product portfolio in the future.

PC Tools will maintain separate operations within Symantec's consumer business unit. PC Tools will continue to offer its products under the PC Tools brand and serve its customers through its existing partners and channels, according to Symantec.

"We are excited to welcome PC Tools into the Symantec consumer family and believe the combination of our two companies will provide additional value and choice for consumers worldwide to better enable and protect their digital life," Janice Chaffin, Symantec group president of consumer products, said in a statement. "By adding PC Tools, we build on the market-leading success of Symantec's consumer offerings and firmly position ourselves for continued incremental growth in a rapidly expanding market."