Symantec Corp. announced that its Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition will help protect HP consumer PCs around the globe. Under terms of the multi-year agreement, Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition will ship on HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario consumer desktop and notebook PCs worldwide.

Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition delivers essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. It provides real-time detection and automatic removal of spyware from users’ computers and helps prevent new spyware risks from impacting the PC in the future. In addition, Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition continues to include the firewall, intrusion prevention, privacy protection, virus protection, spam filtering, and content filtering features that have made the solution an effective deterrent to email fraud and identity theft and one of the most popular security toolsets on the market.

“Consumers require security solutions that are not only easy to use but that also provide multiple layers of protection that mitigate online risks and ensure the safest, most productive Internet experience possible,” said Matthew Moynahan, vice president, consumer products and solutions, Symantec Corp. “Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition offers a formidable yet practical defense against the full range of Internet risks, from adware and spyware to viruses, worms, spam, and more.”

“HP is committed to helping protect customers from security threats by delivering more secure machines right out of the box,” said Tom Anderson, vice president, Consumer PC Global Business Unit, HP. “By shipping Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition with our consumer desktop and notebook computers, HP is helping consumers defend their PCs, protect their privacy, and keep their systems running smoothly. Providing all of this in one product makes managing security easier for our customers.”

Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition will be made available to users in 14 different languages. Users will receive a 60-day introductory subscription to Symantec’s protection updates and, once the subscription expires, will have the option to purchase a 12-month subscription renewal.

Spyware and adware are problems that impact a growing number of consumers. According to a 2004 survey by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance, 80 percent of people surveyed had some kind of spyware or adware program on their computer. A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission concluded that spyware can impair the operation of computers and create substantial privacy and security risks for consumers’ information.

Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition enables consumers to help protect against spyware and adware by providing clear definitions of specific risks, hands-on analysis of spyware and adware programs, and the tools to understand and control what is on their systems through clear guidance and robust removal of unwanted software. With Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition, spyware applications that are categorized by Symantec Security Response as high risk are removed and quarantined automatically upon detection, while lower-risk programs generate an alert that informs the user of the application’s risk category, symptoms, behavior, and transmission details and offers recommended responses.