Symantec, makers of Norton security software, today announced the new Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac, featuring vulnerability protection technology and antivirus for Mac users running Boot Camp or Windows virtualization software — programs that allow users to run both Mac OS X Leopard and Windows operating systems.

This solution provides protection from both Mac and Windows-based vulnerabilities and viruses. With this dual protection functionality, Mac users benefit by receiving both Norton AntiVirus 11 for Mac and Norton AntiVirus 2008 for Windows.

Mac users who run dual operating systems can now have security protection with automatic updates from Symantec’s global security network.

“As the popularity of parallel operating systems increases, Mac users are at increased risk of vulnerabilities and viruses from threats targeted at both Macs and PCs. This is why an extra layer of security is needed – to ensure users are protected against both sets of threats,” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec Corp. “Norton AntiVirus with dual protection gives Mac users peace-of-mind as it silently protects them from both Leopard and Window’s-based attacks.”

Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac provides an extra layer of protection against attacks that target software vulnerabilities on Leopard and Windows operating systems. This product includes both vulnerability protection – which is new to Norton AntiVirus for Mac – and intrusion protection – included in Norton AntiVirus 2008 for Windows. These layers of protection prevent threats from infecting systems by blocking malware and viruses from installing when downloading pictures, music and software, and then deleting the threat.