Norton/Symantec Updates Security Suite for Macs
5:00 am, December 18th, 2008, Lonnie Lazar
Recent weeks have seen renewed discussion about the security vulnerabilities of Macs and the OS X operating system, though, as usual, it is primarily PC interests who say, “your day of reckoning is gonna come” and Mac interests who say, “Apple computers are the safest computers under the sun.”
Meanwhile, Apple released a security update on Tuesday that quashed 21 security bugs, news of which was taken by those on both sides of the debate as evidence their argument is right.
What better time, then, for Norton/Symantec to release Internet Security 4 for Mac and Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection, designed for those running Boot Camp or other Windows virtualization software on the Mac. Both products integrate all-new firewall and antivirus protection with tools to help protect against the increasing instance of identity theft.
I spent some time this week going over the UI and program features with Symantec’s Mac Product Manager, Mike Romo, and I was impressed with the granularity built in to the software’s control features and pleased to see Symantec has paid attention to creating a UI that says the designers have seen and used Macs themselves.
While automatically blocking attempted exploits using different protocols, Norton Internet Security for Mac’s firewall now also offers application control, which allows users to manage the applications that are connecting to the Internet, protecting Macs from spyware. New location awareness controls let users specify different connection settings for different networks to which a computer may be connected. The software is also integrated with Symantec’s DeepSight Threat Management System, an evolving database of known bad actors. Firewall rules are automatically updated at least once a day to protect against the latest attacking IP addresses.
This is powerful software that should appeal to rabidly security-conscious Mac users – especially the growing cadre of multiple-user businesses, schools and enterprise customers who have adopted the OS X platform – who will be happy with its degree of configurability as well as the extensive live monitoring and event logging it makes possible. Those who want to “set it and forget it” can also feel secure from phishing, malware or hacking threats they believe are lurking out there for the Mac.
Available now for the US from the Symantec online store and through various retail outlets, Norton Internet Security 4 for Mac is US$79.99, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates. The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection is US$89.99, which also includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates.
Posted by Lonnie Lazar in First impressions, Macintosh, News, Software | Comment on this article
[...] News, earlier today, of Symantec Corporation’s (NasdaqGS: SYMC) Norton unit which reportedly has released a security update for it’s flagship Apple Inc. (NasdaqGS: AAPL) MAC OSX security suite. More information  appears after the jump. Hat Tip: Cult of Mac [...]
Symantec Releases Mac OSX Security Suite Update, on December 18th, 2008 at 11:20 am
So what is the performance hit with this software? How much does it slow down the computer?
OlsonBW, on December 18th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
A few years ago Symantec bailed on updating SystemWorks and Utilities for new releases of OS X, effectively abandoning Mac users. So Mac users abandoned Symantec altogether. A lot of us learned we can use freeware like ClamXav that works well enough, if not as well as Norton. Why do they think I’ll spend 80 bucks on their new products? So they can leave me in the lurch in another couple years when OS X 10.6 (House Cat?) appears?
To top it off, I think subscription fees for updated virus lists is extortion. You sell me a product, and at the same time you say it’s already obsolete, but if I keep paying you more money you’ll fix it for me. OS X is only marginally more expensive, yet all the patches and even updates are free.
To quote a great philosopher: Bite me.
imajoebob, on December 19th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Anyone knows how can I get antivirus for my iPod touch? Or can you get antivirus for it?
Dvhus, on January 17th, 2009 at 9:48 am
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Norton/Symantec Updates Security Suite for Macs | Cult of Mac | ClassyComp.Com, on March 28th, 2009 at 4:47 am