BellSouth today unveiled a new set of security services to help its Internet customers avoid the growing problems of spyware, viruses and other PC attacks. BellSouth Internet Security uses client-based software from Montreal-based Radialpoint that can be downloaded onto a subscriber’s computer and then will run in the background, constantly checking for updates on various forms of malware.

“We analyzed options available to us and chose Radialpoint because of the comprehensive protection, ease of use and seamless integration,” said Dane Dickie, director of broadband application product management at BellSouth. “You can set it and forget it, and it is automatically updating for version control and new malware.”

Initially, the client is downloadable from BellSouth’s Web site, but it ultimately will be integrated with new product software, he added. The service comes in three separate components: BellSouth Anti-Virus, which keeps viruses, worms and Trojans off customers' computers; BellSouth Anti-Spyware, which detects and removes more than 60,000 known spyware; and BellSouth Firewall, which protects customers' computers from hackers and intrusions.

Separately, the components each cost $2.99 a month, but for all three, the charge is $6.99 a month.

Dickie said BellSouth became aware that “a significant number of our customers were being affected by malware and were looking to BellSouth to come up with a solution.”

The Radialpoint software runs in the background but notifies customers of malware that is blocked and software updates, and gives them the option of allowing an application to be downloaded on the PC or blocking it.

“We find that customers like to be informed, that they feel more secure that it is working in the background,” he said. BellSouth conducted both lab and end-user trials of the Radialpoint product before deploying it.

Current BellSouth customers are being notified via e-mail about the new service and given the chance to download the necessary client software.