Norton's latest products compatible with Windows 8

The latest version of Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiVirus launched by Symantec on Wednesday will be compatible with Windows 8.

The company claimed the new products have been "engineered to be safer, optimised for speed and performance , and simpler to use".

Since the Windows 8 is a multi-device platform, Symantec is also bringing to India the Norton 360 Multi-Device, a comprehensive security solution that provides security across platforms and devices.

"Ideal for consumers who have multiple devices and want a simple, easy-to-use security solution, Norton 360 Multi-Device provides protection for Windows-based PCs, Macs, Android-based phones and tablets, right out of the box along with 25 GB of online backup. It offers a single key to activate protection on all devices. It uses a cloud-based Norton management console that lets users take charge of their devices' security from anywhere, at any time, right over the Internet," said a release.

The latest versions of Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiVirus are now available for purchase in India through various retailers and the Norton online store.

Norton 360 Multi-Device will be available from October 2012. The Norton 360 Multi-Device is priced at Rs 3,499 for three devices and Rs 4,999 for five devices, the Norton Internet Security will cost Rs 1,399 for a single PC and Rs 2,999 for up to three PCs. Norton AntiVirus will be available for Rs 799 for a single PC and Rs 1,499 for up to three PCs.

"According to this year's Norton Cybercrime Report4, one in 10 social network users said they'd fallen victim to a scam or fake link on social network platforms. Today, consumers are living nearly every aspect of their lives online and often putting personal information at risk," Group President Janice Chaffin said in a release.

"With our latest releases, Norton responds to this and other consumer vulnerabilities with stronger social media and scam protection to ensure consumers are safe in the multi-device, Wi-Fi-enabled world."

Norton claims its new products come with five patented layers of protection, stronger social networking defenses, anti-scam capabilities, and improved cloud-enabled features.

David Hall, consumer product marketing manager, Asia Pacific, said they have been engineered to make Windows 8 at least 50 per cent faster when compared with running Windows Defender. He claimed third-party testing had shown that Norton was able to correctly detect and block all the threats that Windows Defender failed to recognise.

The products will also have a touch-friendly interface and reduced power consumption. While the multi device version will have dashboard to secure all the devices, the Norton products will no longer need a reboot to upgrade and will refresh  to the latest version online.