Symantec has launched a public beta of Norton 360 for the Windows Vista operating system.

The beta will allow consumers who are running the shipping version of Vista (build 6000) to deploy Symantec’s new all-in-one security service.

Norton 360 combines Symantec’s PC security and tune-up technologies, along with new automated local and online backup, as well as transaction security capabilities and is available for public download.

Those using the Norton 360 beta version will also receive backup and restore functionality, including 2GB of secure online storage space.

The company also recently announced beta versions of Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus, which support the Vista platform.

The final version of Norton 360, which will be Windows XP and Vista compatible, is scheduled for March 2007.

For the suggested retail price of £59.99 consumers will get one-year service subscription to use the product and receive Symantec protection updates. They will also receive Symantec’s advanced PC and transaction security technologies in addition to PC tune-up capabilities. This aims to keep systems running at peak performance.

The final Vista-compatible versions of Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus are expected to be available immediately at the launch of Vista on 30 January 2007.