Tech Shout!

Symantec Corp. has announced the release of product technology updates to its consumer and enterprise antivirus solutions, thereby offering users with an expanded protection against stealth computer threats.

The company said that these updates are the first incremental technology updates it has brought to its consumer solutions. Before the release of the 2006 product line, new technology was delivered to consumers with new product versions annually.

Customers using Norton Internet Security 2006, Norton AntiVirus 2006, Norton SystemWorks 2006, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0 and Symantec Client Security 3.0 received an updated antivirus scanning engine automatically through their products’ LiveUpdate feature throughout December. Users also received new Auto-Protect Spyware Blocking after being informed of a “critical update” and provided with instructions on how the package could be downloaded manually.

Senior vice president, security products and solutions, Symantec Corp, Enrique Salem said, “In order for Internet security solutions to be effective, they must keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat environment.” He added, “By being able to deliver product updates such as these, we are providing our users with the assurance that their Symantec security solutions have the latest technology needed to keep them safe and secure online.”

The company said the updated antivirus scanning engine now takes out many of today’s threats from home and enterprise computer systems through its new driver technology. The engine works before the operating system loads, in kernel mode, and protects users against malicious code that attempts to hide from current scanning methods. By operating in the kernel mode, the engine can open locked files, bypass programs running in the computer’s user mode and start repairs during the system boot cycle.

The updates also include new Auto-Protect Spyware Blocking, which improves Symantec’s ability to handle non-viral security risks by blocking spyware and adware applications before they are installed on a user’s system.