Tuesday, 25 July 2006

Yahoo! Partners Symantec on Internet Security Service

Yahoo! Inc. and Symantec Corp. have announced a joint consumer Internet security service that will help the two companies compete against major rivals such as Google Inc.

According to the deal Symantec's Norton Internet Security product would be availed to Yahoo customers to take advantage of growing consumer demand for more Internet protection.

The partnership comes shortly after Yahoo rival AOL started testing a new security offering, dubbed Total Care, which it created largely in partnership with Symantec competitor McAfee.

"Internet security is important to our Yahoo users and by working with Symantec, we are bringing the comfortable security blanket that their Norton brand services provide to consumers," said Stephen Miller, director, product management, Yahoo.

Yahoo and Symantec said they will market the co-branded Norton Internet Security service throughout the Yahoo network, which includes Yahoo Mail, Yahoo Toolbar and Yahoo Search, and other online services.

In addition, Symantec will also offer Norton Spyware scan for the Yahoo Toolbar and a co-branded toolbar that offers more direct links to other security tools. It will also offer its antivirus and online firewall protections on Yahoo's Online Protection for broadband users.

Yahoo users can sign up for Norton Internet Security, which blocks spam, viruses and unwanted adware, for a free 30 day trial and then purchase a 12-month subscription for USD 49.99, the companies said. The price is a USD 20 discount for Yahoo users.