Symantec this week launched the 2007 versions of its security products, Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security in Australia. The updated editions are expected to provide consumers with improved security technology and product performance.

Highlights of Norton AntiVirus 2007 include enhanced kernel level rootkit protection and the background scanning feature, which minimises the hard drive's load while virus scanning and allows the user to perform other tasks.

In addition, Norton AntiVirus 2007 will have a so-called "zero-hour protection" capability that will be updated whenever a vulnerability is identified for the Windows desktop, and provide temporary exploit protection until a patch is released.

Norton Internet Security 2007 includes everything in Norton AntiVirus, plus a firewall and a new product, Norton Confidential, which provides anti-phishing protection by verifying the legitimacy of Web sites and blocking consumers from visiting known or suspected phishing sites.

A Symantec product performance review found that Norton Internet Security 2007 scans up to 35 per cent faster and boots up to 10 per cent faster than its predecessor, Norton Internet Security 2006.

Both 2007 versions are compatible with Internet Explorer 6 or later. No details on browser support for Mozilla Firefox or Apple Computer's Safari have yet been released.

The programs have been designed to run on Windows XP Home or Professional, with a free upgrade for added Windows Vista support when it ships.

Norton AntiVirus 2007 retails at $59.95. Norton Internet Security 2007 costs $99.95.

(Ellen Messemer contributed to this story.)