Symantec releases beta of Norton 360 version 2.0

Filed under: Security, Windows, Symantec, Beta

Symantec releases beta of Norton 360 version 2.0

by Simon Kerbel Feb 6th 2008

Symantec has just released a beta version of Norton 360 version 2.0, the latest update of the all-in-one protection suite for the PC.

Norton 360 version 2.0 claims a host of new and updated features:

Faster performance of virus scans
Faster boot times
New browser protections
New identity protections to manage passwords and sensitive information
Support for new backup destinations including HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, and even iPods
Comes in three flavors: apple, cherry, and tutti-frutti (okay, so we made this one up; just making sure you're paying attention out there)

The beta site has been refreshed with all the necessary information. You'll even see some fresh new fonts, Symantec's attempt at connecting with our hipster generation.

If you want to be a beta tester, no problem: the Norton 360 beta is available to all. You'll want to uninstall all previous Norton Antivirus solutions prior to installing the beta. And you know this already, but we'll say it anyway: Windows only.

Tags: antivirus, beta, norton 360, Norton360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gardiner Westbound said 11:23AM on 2-06-2008

It's doubtful Norton has much of a future with the competent competent programs out there, even if they have corrected its excessive drain on system resources. It was once the king of such programs but Symantec was sleeping and lets others slip past.

Matthew said 7:56PM on 2-06-2008

who would want norton? never mind a beta version?

Jon said 10:13AM on 2-06-2008

You took the words right out of my mouth!

Peter said 10:41AM on 2-06-2008

It's great for less technically inclined users. I had an old Norton product installed on my parent's machine and switched to something else when it expired. They were calling all the time and concerned about the messages it was giving them.
I switched them to the current version of NAV (which you can get for free without looking too hard) and haven't heard anything from them about it.
For more technically advanced users (like the readers of this blog) other options are probably better, but for people who would just click "allow" on every warning that pops up anyway, Norton is a good choice that protects people from themselves.

Victor Agreda Jr said 10:00PM on 2-06-2008

True, "basic" users are lulled into a sense of calm-- but if I only had a nickel for every time the stupid updater screwed up... Peter, did you disable that, or did you pay a lot for some infinity license? Because the notifications really crank up once your update subscription runs out.

Peter said 10:26PM on 2-06-2008

When the first Norton product expired I installed one of the many free anti-virus packages. They were calling about all the warnings it was producing because NAV hides many of those and just keeps you protected. When that one ran out, I installed the new version of NAV.
You're right, all the products make it sound like your computer is going to burst into flames when the subscription runs out.

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