Symantec buys anti-spam vendor for $370m

Antivirus vendor Symantec has bought leading anti-spam firm Brightmail in a $370m cash deal.

Brightmail, which already uses some Symantec antivirus technology in its existing product line, provides anti-spam filtering for about 1,800 large enterprises and many major ISPs. Symantec's client base for its antivirus products is largely consumer-based.

"By joining forces with Symantec, we can provide our combined base of customers around the world with the broadest messaging security solution in the industry," said Enrique Salem, Brightmail president and chief executive officer, in a statement.

The anti-spam firm has also supported Symantec in a number of legal cases against spammers.

From a technology standpoint the move may see a change in Symantec's antivirus strategy to accommodate Brightmail's heuristic technology. Heuristics relies on spotting typical features and activities of spammers and malicious software writers.

The move will surprise some, as Brightmail had been expected to try for an initial public offering.

The takeover is expected to be completed by July.