Tech Shout!

Today, Symantec Corp. held a media briefing session to announce that it has partnered with Zenith Computers Limited to offer Indian consumers a first of its kind deal that includes Zenith desktops and laptops that are preloaded with the Norton Internet 2007 Security Suite. Zenith’s new range of desktops and laptops will now be preloaded with Symantec’s Norton Internet 2007 Security Suite with a one year license at no extra cost.

Bank transactions, purchase of tickets, books, and even jewelry are just a few of the many transactions that people perform over the Internet. Statistics show that 30-40% of PCs are not protected adequately. In today’s day and age, a consumer is not able to safely transact over the Internet, due to the rising incidents of zero day exploits, phishing, as well as spam. It’s no wonder then that Symantec has gone one step ahead and tried to break the viscous cycle that prevents many from transacting online.

Indeed, the statistics are scary, and more shocking is the fact that Mumbai and Delhi are the cities that are most targeted via botnet attacks. Besides, nowadays web applications as well as web browsers are being targeted with 60% of vulnerabilities that affect them.

Speaking at the event was Michael Yell, Director of Consumer Products and Services for Asia Pacific and Japan, who said that awareness for security is an all time high for Symantec. Symantec has prepared six month security reports looking at individual countries. “The strength of Symantec lies in the fact that they know where their business is,” added Yell.

Operations running in 42 countries worldwide, 40,000 sensors in 180 countries, 2 million decoy accounts, and the constant monitoring of new softwares for vulnerabilities are some of the points that set Symantec apart from any other company that deals with Internet security.

In fact, Symantec has made its presence felt in India, as the Internet security company regularly conducts security reports through its research and development centers located in India. Symantec is also in the process of talks with banks about Norton Confidentiality, which is a security software that allows users to easily and securely transact online.

The Norton Internet Security Suite 2007 is able to identify theft, spyware and hackers, and combined with Zenith’s desktop PCs, allows for a very safe and secure user environment. The Norton Internet Security 2007 software offers various benefits to desktop and laptop users alike, which include faster startup, and a secure surfing and downloading experience. Knowing that your PC is adequately protected is much needed in a time like ours, and this surely boosts confidence levels of first time buyers and those who have not particularly had a smooth ride while transacting online in the past.

For the first time in Asia, a one year licensed version of Norton Internet Security 2007 is being offered by Symantec. In fact, in America only 30, 60 and 90 day trials of the software were offered.

Zenith Computers has been known for years as a company that manufactures and distributes innovative, reliable, and value-for-money computing products. Also present at the briefing session was Raj Kumar Saraf, Chairman and Managing Director, Zenith Computers Limited, who said that nowadays, consumers wish to have fully functional branded PCs.

Speaking on the strategic partnership with Symantec, Raj Saraf said “Even if consumers are not aware of issues like security, like majority of consumers in India, they will still be protected.”

The new range of Zenith desktop PCs , that are preloaded with Norton Internet Security 2007 for a 12 month license are priced at Rs.12,500 to Rs.13,000 for a full fledged functional PC, while the Zenith laptops cost Rs. 1,50,000. So basically, when purchasing a Zenith desktop or laptop, you won’t be paying anything huge for the Norton Internet Security 2007 Suite, as there has been a negligible increase in the cost of a Zenith PC bundled together with Norton’s best version of Internet security till date. This new range of Zenith PCs and laptops will be available from January 26, 2007 onwards.

Indian consumers now have an option of purchasing a quality hardware product (Zenith’s desktop PCs and laptops) with good security software (Norton Internet Security 2007). In fact, Michael Yell aptly described Symantec’s latest partnership with Zenith, as a marriage made in heaven.