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The days of buying a compact disc and loading security software—or any software, for that matter—onto a PC or server are rapidly dwindling.
Data security provider Symantec Aug. 19 became the latest vendor to announce that its main software product—Norton—is moving into a cloud-based subscription model.
As part of this transition, Symantec also will retire some of its stand-alone Norton legacy products, such as Norton Internet Security, Norton AntiVirus and Norton360. The result of all this is that Symantec will converge its product portfolio from nine products to one flagship package, Norton Security, by this fall.
It’s Where the Software Market is Going
These moves are indicative of the way the overall software market is moving, and it is moving fast toward cloud service options whenever possible. Symantec is making the moves because its longtime PC-centric focus is fast taking a back seat to a mobile/multi-device orientation.
Norton’s new single package will provide a range of protections under one umbrella, Symantec said, making installation and utilization of the product simpler and more intuitive for users.
“We are also making the product itself simpler to use with dramatic improvements to the user interface,” wrote Fran Rosch, Symantec’s Executive Vice President of the Norton Business Unit, in a blog post. “With its improved look and feel as well as cloud-based management, Norton Security will feel much more like a service and less like the software you used to ‘set and forget.'”
The Norton Security cloud service will enable users to add and manage new devices through their personal Norton account, just as on Netflix and iTunes, Rosch said. “As an added benefit of this service, we’ll keep you armed with real-time updates on threats and tips to help ensure you stay confident and protected wherever you go,” he said.
Guarantee of No Viruses
As part of the upcoming Norton Security service, Symantec is offering a 100 percent virus-free money-back guarantee, Rosch said.
A beta version of the new software can be downloaded here.