Symantec releases the beta of AntiSpyware

By Steve Malone

Posted on 19 Apr 2005 at 17:43

Security specialist Symantec has released its long awaited anti-spyware package as a public beta. The product, which claims to offer broad protection from spyware and adware to home users, comes four months after the rival package from Microsoft.

Symantec says that the Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition provides realtime detection and automatic removal of spyware from users' computers and can guard against spyware programs from installing themselves on the PC.

Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition has been designed with multiple scanning levels. In much the same way as the company's well known anti virus package, AntiSpyware can detect spyware and adware at the point of entry in real time.

As with Norton AntiVirus, options include full system scans and scheduled scans as well as Norton QuickScan. Symantec will use its Automatic LiveUpdate technology to download updates to protect against new security risks on a regular basis. Norton QuickScan will begin scanning by default immediately upon receipt of the latest protection updates to detect active spyware without requiring user intervention.

Following feedback from the beta programme, Symantec says it expects Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition to be available as a commercial product for retail and OEM customers in the 'second quarter of the year', which is very soon. Microsoft has announced that its spyware software will eventually turn into a commercial product instead of a free download. However, Redmond has given no timetable as to when that might be.

Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition supports the Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP operating systems along with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or above.

Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition is slated to appear in the next few months with an estimated retail price of $79.95. Discounts will be available for existing customers of Norton Internet Security.

Users can download the free public beta version of Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition from the Symantec web site.