Symantec Releases Norton Personal Firewall

by , 9:00 AM EST, November 1st, 2000

Symantec, one of the industry leaders in disk computer utilities, has launched a new product protecting users of "always on" broadband connections, Norton Personal Firewall. Norton Personal Firewall provides a powerful and easily configurable Firewall for protecting you computer from unwanted visitors and hackers. Norton Personal Firewall also includes a detailed log feature, allowing users to get specifics regarding online computer behavior.

Along with NPF, Symantec has also announced the availability of the Norton Internet Security suite, which includes NPF, Norton Anti Virus, and Aladdin's iClean. The suite provides online users with everything they will need to keep their computer clean and safe for harmful viruses and attacks.

While the new application is a System 9.x program, it will provide Firewall security for OS X's Classic layer. Symantec representatives told The Mac Observer that they were indeed working on OS X versions of both Norton Personal Firewall, and more importantly, Norton Anti Virus. No time table was set, but the release of system level applications will largely depend on what changes are made within OS X between now and its official release sometime in 2001.

According to Symantec:

Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC), today announced Norton Internet Security and Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh. Norton Internet Security for Macintosh is the first Internet security suite for the Mac OS to offer a comprehensive solution with protection against Internet threats such as hackers, illegal access and viruses. Norton Internet Security for Macintosh provides an essential Internet security suite for the Macintosh platform, combining Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh 1.0, Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh 7.0 and iClean 3.5 by Aladdin Systems.

Norton Internet Security for Macintosh 1.0 combines several world class products to ensure a controlled and safe Internet experience for all Macintosh users. Norton Internet Security for Macintosh includes Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh to protect consumers from hackers and security breaches; award-winning Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh to guard against known and unknown virus threats; and iClean by Aladdin Systems to sweep away Web surfing tracks as well as tidy up the desktop. Together, these products provide consumers with a suite solution that intelligently balances ease-of-use and functionality for maximum usability and online protection.

Norton Antivirus for Macintosh 7.0 can run disk scans and repair files on Mac OS X Public Beta hard disks after launching the application from a Mac OS 9 partition or bootable compact disk. Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh can be installed into and will protect the Mac OS 9 or classic layer of Mac OS X Public Beta.

Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh 1.0 is an easy-to-use Internet security solution that protects connected consumers from hackers and security breaches. Users can block connections to their machines preventing hackers from gaining access to important files, passwords, banking numbers or other confidential data stored on the computer. In addition, users can configure which applications are allowed to access their Macintosh via the Internet and are notified when an unauthorized program or user attempts to access their Macintosh from another computer. Norton Personal Firewall for Macintosh 1.0 incorporates the highly regarded DoorStop Personal Firewall, licensed from Macintosh developer Open Door Networks, Inc, which is continuing to participate in the development of this technology with Symantec.

Norton Personal Firewall is available for US$69.95, while users of Net Barrier or DoorStop may "upgrade" for US$39.95. The Norton Internet Security suite is available for US$99.95, while users of other anti-virus or Firewall programs may "upgrade" for US$69.95. You can find more information at the Symantec web site.

Symantec