Symantec launches supercharged Norton Internet Security 2008, Norton AntiVirus 2008 at GITEX

Symantec has enhanced the latest versions to provide computer users with comprehensive protection against new and emerging online threats, including disguised attacks used by 'drive-by downloads', the term used for downloads that happen without the computer user's knowledge.

In addition, Norton Internet Security 2008 will also feature Norton Identity Safe to protect users' identities when they buy, bank or browse online. The company has also optimized each product for greater performance, improved technical support and reduced user interruption. With Norton 2008 products, users have powerful solutions that effectively guard against new threats and extend protection beyond the PC to wireless home networks and online identities.

"Our 2008 products bring valuable new protection technologies to block threats before they get a foothold in systems as well as significant performance improvements to make the end-user experience better than ever before," said Sanjiv Vij, Country Manager - Consumer, Middle East & North Africa, Symantec. "With next-generation security tools and enhanced performance, Norton Internet Security 2008 and Norton AntiVirus 2008 help deliver on Symantec's promise to provide confidence in a connected world."

New to Norton in 2008:

• Browser Defender — Defends against drive-by downloads and other new or unknown threats that exploit vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. Revolutionary, zero-day proactive protection against obfuscated code attacks using ActiveX®, JavaScript™, and VBScript that specifically target the browser.
• Norton™ Identity Safe — Keeps personal information and identity safeguarded when buying, banking or browsing online. It enables users to control which information is shared with Web sites, stores private information securely, and fills in passwords and Web forms automatically. It stores and encrypts passwords and other confidential data, automatically retrieving it at a user's request to save time and protect it from being stolen by eavesdropping keystroke loggers. (Included in Norton Internet Security 2008 only)
• One-Click Support — Delivers the same convenient access to support options previously available in Norton 360. This all-new approach to support automatically troubleshoots common issues such as connectivity, licensing, and product activation. It also provides direct access to tech support via telephone, free email or free live chat — all from within the main user interface.
• Home Network Feature — Maps connected devices to provide a view of devices on the local network. Monitors the overall security status of other computers with Norton Internet Security 2008 or Norton AntiVirus 2008 installed. In addition, within Norton Internet Security 2008 this feature checks the status of wireless network security, alerts users when they connect to an unsecure wireless network, and provides expert advice to help users manage network security settings. Wireless network security status provides recommendations for securing wireless routers along with educational information about home network security.
• Performance, Performance, Performance — Building on performance enhancements delivered in the 2007 product line, Symantec has raised the bar and further extended performance gains with significant improvements in key performance measures. Compared to Norton Internet Security 2007, the 2008 user interface responds 22% faster and completes a quick scan up to 39% faster. And as compared to an industry average of nine competitors, Norton Internet Security 2008 leads across five key performance areas including boot time (20% faster), memory usage (69% less), full scan (12% faster), user interface response (54% faster) and download speed (31% faster).*

Additionally, both products include the powerful SONAR behavioral detection technology that protects against malicious code before standard virus and spyware detection definitions have been created. In Norton Internet Security 2008, SONAR will run a full scan every time an application attempts outbound communication, further protecting identity information by improving the firewall's effectiveness against unknown threats. This breadth of new functionality complements the rich existing security protection of Norton Internet Security, which includes class leading rootkit protection capabilities as well as new Threat Interceptor vulnerability protection technologies. Threat Interceptor technologies include: Threat Interceptor - Browser Defender; Threat Interceptor - Intrusion Prevention; and Threat Interceptor - Generic Exploit Blocking. Norton Internet Security also includes all of the features and functionality of Norton AntiVirus which continues to be the gold standard in virus detection garnering 33 consecutive Virus Bulletin 100 awards, an unmatched standard of reliability in the industry.

Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 are backed by Symantec Security Response, a team of dedicated intrusion experts, security engineers, virus hunters, and global technical support teams that work in tandem to provide extensive coverage for enterprise businesses and consumers. Symantec Security Response provides customers with comprehensive, global, 24x7 Internet security expertise to guard against today's complex Internet threats. This security information is delivered to our customers on a daily basis to ensure they remain fully protected.