Symantec breaks open its wallet again

The purchase is likely to go through in October and is for an undisclosed sum.

Currently Symantec technology recognises viral signatures to protect computers. In acquiring WholeSecurity the company can use its behaviour-based technology to protect computers against unknown threats as well.

"WholeSecurity provides industry leading protection from phishing attacks, one of the fastest growing threats to online transactions, such as banking, ecommerce, and auctions," said Enrique Salem, senior VP at Symantec. "In addition, WholeSecurity's family of solutions provides critical behaviour-based security technology that we expect to be a core component of Symantec's baseline consumer security and enterprise desktop solutions."

WholeSecurity's technology is expected to be included into Symantec's portfolio soon.

"The move makes sense," said Jon Tullett, technology editor. "Symantec has been looking to get into this area for a while." Today's announcement is not the first time Symantec has dipped its toe in the acquisition waters. In August SC reported Symantec had bought Sygate technologies.

Earlier in the company also purchased Veritas software.

ANZ Banking Group names acting CISO