Search outfit Ask.com has hired Security outfit Symantec to make its site more secure. The big idea is that the search outfit can market itself as secure from online mischief and bring terrified customers into use its services.

Basically the move will stick the latest test version of Norton 360 onto the site and rate the security threat posed by each site through a new toolbar.

Yep, users will have yet another outfit trying to stuff a toolbar onto their browsers. Ask.com has not had much luck taking on Google, MSN or Yahoo, despite the fact that its search has won positive reviews and been promoted heavily in advertising campaigns.

Unfortunately it is following a path already travelled by its rivals. Yahoo has signed up with Symantec rival McAfee to offer security alerts in its search results. Google also has an early warning system.