Symantec Launches 2007 Versions of Norton AntiVirus and Internet Security

Published: September 13, 2006

by Alex Woodie

Antivirus giant Symantec yesterday announced the launch of Norton AntiVirus 2007 and Norton Internet Security 2007. The new releases of the popular security products will feature better performance, and the capability to detect new viruses and worms that are created from existing threats, even if a signature file hasn't yet been created for it.

Enrique Salem, group president for the consumer products and solutions of the Cupertino, California, company, says the new products have been adapted to today's Internet threat landscape, which has shifted from "large, widespread virus outbreaks" to "groups of higher-frequency, low-visibility attacks aimed at financial gain rather than notoriety."

As a result, Norton AntiVirus 2007 delivers new technology that blocks attacks from entire worm and virus families without requiring individual signatures for each new threat, the company says. This release also brings new spyware and rootkit detection and removal capabilities, and new tools to fight phishing.

In the performance department, Symantec says the product has been slimmed down and now only requires 10 to 15 MB of memory. The company also boasts of 30 to 35 percent faster scan times in Norton Internet Security 2007 than Norton Internet Security 2006; 5 to 10 percent faster boot times; and a quicker, 1-second boot time.

The new security tools will become available from stores and Internet retailers this month. Norton AntiVirus 2007 will cost $39.99, whether you're a new Symantec customer or not, while existing Norton Internet Security users will receive a $20 discount when upgrading to Norton Internet Security 2007. New Norton Internet Security 2007 users will pay $69.99 for the product.