Taking aim at a growing security issue, Symantec is offering a beta version of its latest antispyware product, which will be an integral component of the latest Norton security package.

Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition is touted as providing real-time detection and removal of spyware from computers. It also is built to prevent future attacks, according to the company. Symantec's new security package features multiple scanning levels and can identify spyware at the point of entry. Symantec's built-in automatic-update technology will deliver protection regularly for new security risks.

The Norton Personal Firewall monitors data leaving a user's computer, preventing personal information from being transmitted without the user's knowledge. This additional layer of security automatically blocks spyware and other malicious applications from establishing outbound connections to the Internet.

Companies including Microsoft , AOL and Yahoo have either delivered antispyware applications, or plan to do so in the near future. The problem also has drawn the attention of federal lawmakers and regulators concerned about identity theft.

Symantec said that its antispyware software can more accurately differentiate between true risks and legitimate software applications because real-time detection is based on known signatures posted by the company and deployed via automatic updates.

Users can download the test version of this software at Symantec. It will go on sale in the second quarter of the year.