Symantec 2002, Windows XP Compatible Security

Symantec Makes Internet Security Protection a Breeze with its 2002, Windows XP Compatible, Versions of World’s Most Trusted Security Products

New Versions of Norton Internet Security 2002, Norton AntiVirus 2002, Norton Personal Firewall 2002 provide Maximum Online Safety from Malicious Hackers and Viruses

Symantec, a world leader in Internet security, has rolled out new versions of the world’s most trusted Internet security solutions, Norton Internet Security 2002, Norton AntiVirus 2002, and Norton Personal Firewall 2002.

The ready availability of increasingly sophisticated hacking tools and today’s escalating concerns regarding online privacy signal the need for powerful and functional security tools in the home as well as the work place. “A recent research study carried out by Symantec found that seventy per cent of home PC users in Australia were unknowingly at risk of unwanted intrusions and related malicious attacks from hackers (see backgrounder for further information), the same figures could be suggested for the New Zealand market,” says Richard Batchelar, Country Manager, Symantec New Zealand.

“Symantec has always been at the forefront of Internet security, constantly developing and delivering the most trusted, convenient, and powerful solutions to our valued customers. The new 2002 versions from Symantec reaffirm our continued dedication to protecting users at all levels and ensuring the most hassle-free Internet computing experience.”
The entire 2002 range of products from Symantec are compatible with the soon to be released Windows XP operating system from Microsoft, including Norton SystemWorks 2002 which has also been launched today.
THE 2002 VERSIONS KEY OFFERINGS
Norton AntiVirus 2002
One of the most refined and powerful anti-virus solutions available, Norton AntiVirus 2002 is designed to maximise protection from viruses without interrupting work or slowing down the user’s system. It provides unique protection with automatic virus detection and repair, automated Internet updates, and seamless integration with Windows Explorer.
Now compatible with Windows XP, Norton AntiVirus 2002 automates critical tasks to minimise user interaction. In addition to automatically repairing virus-infected files, Norton AntiVirus 2002 also automatically updates virus definitions, thereby continually protecting users against even the most recently discovered threats.

To proactively detect fast-moving script-based viruses such as the "I Love You" and "Anna Kournikova" viruses, Norton AntiVirus 2002 also includes exclusive Script Blocking technology that constantly monitors scripts and alerts users to virus-like malicious behaviour, stopping viruses before they can infect a system.

Norton AntiVirus 2002 also scans both incoming and outgoing email, preventing email programs from sending and forwarding virus-infected email and supports broader email protocols such as IMAP and SMTP, including enhanced support for AOL email.

Norton Personal Firewall 2002
Norton Personal Firewall 2002 provides the most sophisticated technologies available to protect against Internet threats—without sacrificing usability. It is the only personal firewall to combine full strength firewall, application control and intrusion protection, controlling all Internet connections to and from the computer and blocking attempted intrusions. Norton Personal Firewall 2002 provides a threat-level assessment to help users decide whether to permit or deny access to the Internet.

Norton Personal Firewall 2002’s Intrusion Protection with AutoBlock detects port scans and automatically blocks hackers from further access to the user’s system. Application control guards against Trojan horses or other malicious applications that attempt to download and launch silently without the user’s knowledge. It scans applications as they attempt to access the Internet, utilising a database of common applications to make firewall configuration easy and safe. In addition, Norton Personal Firewall keeps personal information private, filtering information the user chooses to protect.
Norton Internet Security 2002
The most complete and well-integrated online security and privacy solution for Windows users, Norton Internet Security 2002 features a complete copy of Symantec’s updated Norton AntiVirus 2002, Norton Personal Firewall 2002, privacy and content filtering technologies. Norton Internet Security is an easy-to-use suite with a single install, single interface and a single update centre.

The new Norton Privacy Control prevents personal data from being sent online to unsecured web sites without the user’s knowledge. Norton Privacy Control extends privacy protection by providing Instant Messaging filtering, which blocks personal or confidential information from being sent in both Microsoft Instant Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger. It also provides cookie blocking which prevents users from being tracked online.

Also included in Norton Internet Security 2002 is Norton Parental Control to ensure the safety and protection of children as they use the Internet. This component features a customisable list of web sites that are categorised as objectionable by parents, teachers, and law enforcement officials. Highly flexible and easy to use, Norton Parental Control includes the Parental Control Wizard to provide parents step-by-step instructions for configuring accounts to meet each child’s unique online needs.

The new Home Network Assistant will automatically detect systems on the user’s home network for easy addition to the ‘Trusted Zone’ within Internet Zone Control. Users can run the Home Network Wizard as part of the Security Assistant at any time to help them configure their home networks.

Pricing and Availability
Norton Internet Security 2002, Norton AntiVirus 2002 and Norton Personal Firewall 2002 will be available from late September 2001 from local resellers or at Symantec's online store at http://www.symantecstore.com. The estimated retail prices, including GST are: Norton Internet Security 2002 $169, Norton AntiVirus 2002 $129 and Norton Personal Firewall $119. For additional product information call the visit www.symantec.co.nz.
These Internet security products include one year of virus definitions, firewall rules and parental control.

Home computer users hacking attack research study
Symantec invited home computer users from the Sydney PC User Group to take part in the research programme to determine the incidence of potential hacking attacks on home PCs in Australia. Research participants were given a copy of Symantec’s Norton Internet Security and asked to carry on surfing the Internet as usual. At the end of the programme, the software produced log files automatically so evidence of hacker activity could be assessed by an independent research organisation.

In the period of one month over which the research was conducted, the research participants recorded 1,199 attempted unwanted intrusions. The results demonstrated the need for consumers to be vigilant about adequately protecting themselves against malicious intrusions, which are becoming more widespread and are scanning for vulnerable computers.

Symantec’s Norton Personal Firewall was able to detect and block 350 port scans. Hackers typically ‘port scan’ to identify unprotected ports, or entry points, to the computer A recent example was Code Red that initiated port scans over the internet looking for vulnerable ISS servers. Two participants were directly targeted by hackers who scanned each port to see if there were any vulnerable ports.

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