Last year when I looked at what was then the groundbreaking Norton Internet Security 2009, I billed it as a lean, mean, malware fightin’ machine, but with the new 2010 version, it’s an even faster malware blaster!

The public beta of Norton 360 version 3.0, the “simplified” Internet security package from Symantec has launched. It also includes backup and tune-up services in addition to traditional AV and firewall protection, while also including some of the features of Norton Internet Security 2009’s including “super fast” installation and performance characteristics.

Windows 7 beta 1 can now be downloaded from Microsoft’s official Windows 7 site once more, after having been delayed for at least 24 hours due to “overwhelming demand”.

Buyers of ASUS's Eee family of netbooks and nettops will come with a preinstalled copy of Norton Internet Security. Trouble is, they only get a very limited free look before being expected to sign up as paying customers.

Even with anti-virus protection, this is the story of Vundo Trojan infecting a protected computer anyway. A different anti-virus product removed the Trojan, but it kept coming back, so here’s how the Trojan was removed, and how TrustDefender would have kept that user protected – despite being infected.

Even though Mac OS is regarded as being a whole heap more secure than MS Windows, that does not mean that the security software vendors are ignoring it as a potential cash cow, especially when people are running both operating systems on the one box.

Back in September when Symantec launched Norton Internet Security 2009, the Vice President of Consumer Business told the press in Madrid that "people shouldn't tolerate a security product with poor performance." Does going mental and warning that sites such as iTWire, CNN and Reddit are trying to attack your network count?

Microsoft will launch a leaner version of an Internet security package to protect users from malware, viruses, rootkits, spyware and trojans, but for some weird reason is waiting until the second half of 2009. Wake up Microsoft – just make OneCare free, today!

We know that competition in the security software market is intense, and marketing can make all the difference. But usually promotional tools run to the chance to win a free copy of the latest software, or maybe a PC to run it on. Symantec, however, is offering to send someone into space...

It has been a source of bemusement for those in the IT security business for years: just why do security vendors continue to flog standalone antivirus solutions? Now a security vendor's own security expert has gone on record to state standalone offerings provide a false sense of security, and includes his own application amongst the offenders.