Security and storage giant Symantec has bolstered its consumer product portfolio with the acquisition of PC Tools, an Australia-based provider of Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic, and other security tools. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

PC Tools will reportedly maintain separate operations within Symantec’s consumer business unit, something the company believes will help it expand its reach to customers in emerging regions. Hopefully the overlap between the two companies’ products won’t stifle the development of better and smarter security and maintenance tools, or even worse end up in the companies just blending their software into bloated products.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but you can see Symantec’s statement here.