Tech Shout!

Nowadays, consumers are constantly threatened by detrimental Internet agents, internet scams, identity theft and other harmful computer agents that make one’s information unsecured. In response to the growing need for online security, Symantec has launched the free public beta version of its new consumer security service, Norton 360. The public beta version of Norton 360 is available for download free of cost.

The Norton 360 integrates Symantec’s PC security and tune-up technologies with new automated backup and online transaction security capabilities designed to protect a user from various computer threats ranging from Internet threats to identity theft as well as protecting a user’s documents, photos and music.

Symantec’s newest security service will also protect consumers’ confidential information while banking and shopping online. This is possible because Norton 360 provides users with online identity theft protection.

This software also offers protection from viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, hackers and other Internet threats and risks. At the same time, Norton 360 will provide consumers with free round-the-clock support through an implanted e-mail and online chat service. Users will be able to test out this new e-mail and online chat service during the beta period of Norton 360.

“Today’s consumers want to be able to work and play in the connected world with confidence that their information and activities are secure,” Enrique Salem, group president of the Consumer Business Unit for Symantec, said in a release. “Norton 360 was created to provide computer users and their families a full range of protection that is automatic, powerful, and easy to understand and use,” Salem added.

The Norton 360 beta version is supported by the company’s Global Intelligence Network, which consists of Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System and Symantec Managed Security Services as well as Symantec’s Phish Report Network, which allows users to contribute and receive fraudulent Web site addresses to protect consumers from fraudulent Web sites.

Get the Norton 360 beta here. The final version is expected to be out by March 2007.