Security software maker Symantec released the latest versions of its consumer-oriented Norton applications set on Tuesday.
As part of the launch of its 2006 products, Symantec Corp., based in Cupertino, Calif., slimmed down its overall lineup, dropping its Norton Internet Security AntiSpyware Edition and Norton AntiSpam offerings, and folded those tools back into its other products.
Symantecs flagship Norton Internet Security anti-virus package will retain its $69.99 pricetag, but offers a savings over last years product line as the anti-spyware and anti-spam tools are now included at no extra cost.
The software maker also moved the product into a 100 percent subscription-based delivery model.
The new products, dubbed as Norton Internet Security 2006, Norton AntiVirus 2006 and Norton Personal Firewall 2006, boast increased levels of personalization and increased capabilities for fighting emerging security threats such as phishing attacks and complex forms of spyware.
Among the additions to all three of the products is a new user interface known as the Norton Protection Center, which is meant to give people a snapshot of how safe or vulnerable their PC may be.
The company said it will also begin offering product updates throughout the year to keep users up-to-date on emerging threats.
According to Symantec, the Protection Center will help its customers feel safer, and do a better job of guarding their machines, by boiling down and centralizing many of the security functions commonly sought, or overlooked, by the average consumer.
The portal-like interface presents security data on everyday computing tasks such as Web surfing, e-mailing and downloading digital content, and makes an attempt to detail potential security issues in non-technical language.
