The public beta of Symantec's Norton Confidential is now available to download from the Symantec website.

Norton Confidential is a new security solution to protect users when they are most vulnerable, for example when banking or shopping online, or at any website where they submit passwords, account numbers or other confidential information.

Prior to logging in, making a purchase or otherwise submitting personal data, Norton Confidential scans both the user's PC and the website, protecting consumers from known or suspicious phishing sites, crimeware and other threats designed to steal information.

Norton Confidential utilises behavioural technologies to protect consumers from “unknown” threats that have never been seen before, as well as signatures to protect against known threats.