Software makers Symantec, McAfee settle with NY AG

NEW YORK -

Two of the nation's largest security software companies have agreed to clearly detail the terms of subscription renewals and pay penalties totaling $750,000 in a settlement with New York's attorney general.

New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo had accused Symantec Corp. and McAfee Inc. of renewing customers' software subscriptions without their knowledge.

The California-based companies produce software to protect computers from an assortment of viruses and spyware.

Symantec said in a statement Wednesday that it has worked to improve the auto-renewal subscription process to "make it more transparent and visible." A spokeswoman for McAfee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.