Symantec updates consumer security software

Symantec in the next two weeks will start selling the 2006 editions of its consumer security software products, the company said Monday. The products, Norton Internet Security 2006, Norton AntiVirus 2006 and Norton Personal Firewall 2006, offer improved protection while requiring less user intervention, Symantec said in a statement. Norton AntiVirus 2006 costs $39.99. Norton Internet Security 2006 costs $69.99, and Norton Personal Firewall 2006 is priced at $49.99. All prices include a one-year subscription to Symantec's protection updates.

Included in all the updated products is the Norton Protection Center, a new way to help users understand PC security. Also new, Symantec now will give consumers product and feature updates throughout the year, the company said. Norton Internet Security 2006 includes Security Inspector, which helps users secure their Web browser, identify weak Windows passwords, and pinpoint risks within hidden shared folders or unneeded services, Symantec said.