Yahoo Group, in collaboration with security company Symantec, announced on July 25th the launch of an Internet security software package called Norton Internet Security.
This software package is designed to protect users from online threats such as viruses and spyware.
The suite includes Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus and Norton Personal Firewall products.
Yahoo users can download a trial version of this product suite for 30 days; thereafter, if they wish to continue using it, they will need to pay a fee of $50 for a 12-month subscription.
This price is described by Yahoo and Symantec as a “special promotional price.”
Yahoo will be responsible for promoting this product suite on its website, search engine, and other products such as its browser toolbar.
Yahoo and Symantec have maintained a partnership for several years. For example, Yahoo continues to use Symantec’s security technology in its Yahoo Mail email service. Additionally, the two companies have collaborated to develop a browser toolbar.
With this new agreement, Yahoo gains a tool to compete with a similar product package that rival AOL is testing, named Total Care, which uses security technology from McAfee, Symantec’s competitor.
This agreement will also help increase product distribution for Symantec, particularly following Microsoft’s launch of its OneCare PC security software suite in June.
The OneCare suite, which includes features for computer optimization, spyware protection, firewall, backup, and antivirus, is priced at $50 for a one-year subscription for three Windows XP computers.
Consumers currently have a growing need for comprehensive support to protect themselves against increasingly dangerous online threats. Companies like Yahoo recognize that providing security services and products will help them retain existing customers and attract new ones.
This strategy will also encourage users to spend more on online services, which is crucial for Yahoo’s online advertising business.
