Symantec Upgrades Norton Internet Security For Mac

The software vendor, based here, said it is now taking pre-orders for the product suite, unveiled Tuesday. Norton Internet Security 3.0 for Mac includes new versions of Symantec's antivirus and firewall applications, Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Macintosh and Norton Personal Firewall 3.0 for Macintosh, which also will be available separately, the company said.

The Norton Internet Security suite, which runs on Apple's Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 operating systems, includes Symantec's Norton AntiVirus, Norton Personal Firewall and Norton Privacy Control software plus Aladdin Systems' iClean privacy protection application, which removes cookie, cache and history files.

Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Mac brings the ability to scan and disinfect PC viruses, which Symantec said will help prevent Mac users from proliferating Windows-based threats and malicious attacks, such as PC viruses, worms and Trojan horses. Many Mac users have taken solace in the fact that most attacks and threats haved targeted PCs running Microsoft's Windows OS and Windows-based applications. However, with NAV 9.0, Mac users can avoid becoming inadvertent carriers of PC viruses, worms and Trojan horses as well as be able to use one solution to protect all operating systems they may be running, Symantec said.

In addition, the NAV upgrade will enable Mac users to "quarantine" virus-infected files that can't be repaired plus scan and repair compressed Mac files. It also features an enhanced LiveUpdate application, which Symantec said will slash the time it takes to download new virus definitions.

With Norton Personal Firewall 3.0 for Mac, Symantec adds a new Set-up Assistant to simplify installation and configuration. The new firewall version also helps users prevent potential conflicts by detecting upon activation services such as file sharing. Other new features include blocking of both inbound and outbound connections plus Visual Tracking, which lets users identify and track hacking attempts in real time.

The enhanced Norton Privacy Control now includes Parental Controls, a new feature that allows parents to limit their children's access to illicit Web sites by creating their own list of inappropriate sites to block or by downloading a URL list produced and updated by Symantec. Ad-blocking capabilities also have been strengthened to thwart more types of Web-based advertising delivery, including JavaScript, Symantec said. The vendor also has improved Norton Privacy Control's ability to block confidential data by helping users avoid sending out sensitive information inadvertently, such as via instant-messaging software.

Norton Internet Security 3.0 for Mac is priced at $99.95, and current Symantec Mac product users can get $30 off the upgrade by submitting a mail-in-rebate. Norton AntiVirus 9.0 for Mac and Norton Personal Firewall 3.0 for Mac cost $69.95 each when purchased separately.