Norton AntiVirus
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| Norton AntiVirus | |
|---|---|
 Norton AntiVirus 2008 |
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| Developed by | Symantec Corporation |
| Latest release | 2008 or 15.5.0.23 (Windows Edition), 11.0.1000.1375 (Corporate), 11.0 (Mac Edition) / 2007 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X |
| Genre | Antivirus |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.symantec.com/norton |
Norton AntiVirus (NAV) is a product of Symantec Corporation and is one of the most widely used antivirus programs. Its function is to detect and remove viruses, spyware, adware, and other potential security risks.
Norton AntiVirus is sold as a standalone product and is also included as part of Norton Internet Security and Norton SystemWorks. There is also a standalone corporate version called Symantec Endpoint Protection (formerly known as Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition), which is aimed at centrally managed corporate environments and has features not present in the retail version of the software.
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[edit] History
Since its release in 1990 and the acquisition of Central Point Software in 1994 by Symantec, NAV was integrated with its main competitor of the era, Central Point Anti-Virus (CPAV). CPAV was also licensed to Microsoft as the Microsoft Anti-Virus utility.
[edit] Version History
[edit] Version 2006 (13.0)
Norton AntiVirus 2006 introduced spyware and adware detection in full system scans as well as the auto-protect feature. Norton AntiVirus 2006 also introduced the Norton Protection Center, a one stop interface that aggregates all the security data a user needs to know about their PC and displays it on an easy to understand screen. Also introduced in Norton AntiVirus 2006 was home page hijacking protection and new product features throughout the year.
[edit] Faulty Update to Norton AntiVirus 2006 Users
On July 25, 2006, Symantec released a faulty Norton AntiVirus update affecting Norton AntiVirus 2006. Many users of Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2006 and any product that contained Norton AntiVirus 2006, such as Norton Internet Security 2006 and Norton SystemWorks 2006, experienced difficulties due to the faulty update sent via LiveUpdate. Users reported getting an onscreen message stating that "Norton AntiVirus 2006 does not support the repair feature" and asking that they uninstall and reinstall Norton AntiVirus.
Symantec said the faulty update was downloaded to customers between 1PM and 7PM on that day. The security vendor recommended the affected users either download a workaround tool or follow steps posted on their site. Symantec said in a statement that they expected to "deliver a repair patch to affected users by the end of day, Monday, July 31, 2006."[1] Symantec, however, never issued a repair patch for the problem.[verification needed]
[edit] Version 2007 (14.0)
After many years of customer complaints regarding the speed and system resource utilization of the product, Symantec responded in 2007 with a much needed rewrite of the code in an attempt to make the product lighter and faster.[2] Installer size in Norton AntiVirus 2007 was reduced by utilizing 7-Zip technology[citation needed].
Norton AntiVirus 2007 automatically detects and blocks viruses, spyware, rootkits and worms. Several of its key features are Rootkit Protection which finds and removes hidden threats in the operating system, Internet Worm Protection that blocks viruses, spyware and worms without specific signatures, email and instant message scanning that detects, removes or blocks infected attachments and Full System Scan which performs a deep scan to remove existing viruses, spyware and other threats. Norton Protection Center provides a central place to easily check overall security settings. Its Live Update Notice alerts you to new features, product updates and threat advisories as available throughout the renewable service period.
[edit] Version 2008 (15.0)
Norton AntiVirus 2008 was released on August 28, 2007. It includes new features such as SONAR (Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response) technology, which detects potentially malicious code before traditional virus definitions are available. SONAR works by monitoring programs behavior rather than looking for signatures. Norton AntiVirus 2008 also includes Browser Defender (which protects Internet Explorer from drive by downloads and unpatched exploits), One-Click Support, Home Network Security Status (displays status of Norton AntiVirus on all PC's in your network), multiple daily updates, and improved performance (about 60% faster than Norton AntiVirus 2007[citation needed]).
[edit] Features
Like most standard antivirus software, Norton AntiVirus provides real-time protection from viruses, spyware, worms, keyloggers, rootkits and many other forms of malware. The program also includes a real-time scanner.
[edit] Virus definitions
Symantec's Norton LiveUpdate provides virus definition updates, which enable Norton AntiVirus to detect viruses known to Symantec; a total of 73,939[3] viruses as of March 23, 2008. In order to receive updates, a valid subscription is required; an initial subscription good for one year (or 90 days for OEM copies) is included with the purchase. When a user's subscription expires, the user can still receive program updates (patches) for free but will not be able to download virus definitions updates without renewing his or her subscription or purchasing a new version of the Symantec product with a year of subscription included.
The corporate edition has a client/server strategy to update virus definitions. Each of the workstations will not have LiveUpdate installed, but will be linked to a central server. The server will be the one that will actually update itself with LiveUpdate, and distribute such updates to the client/managed workstations. This is to reduce redundant updates over the organizational network (such as 100 PC's updating the same definitions).
[edit] Competition
Norton AntiVirus also attempts to remove spyware and adware, both of which are forms of malware that are not computer viruses. It competed in this capacity with the freeware Spybot - Search & Destroy (among others).
[edit] Product activation
Beginning with Norton AntiVirus 2004, Norton AntiVirus includes an anti-copying feature called "Product Activation," which is similar to the activation process in Windows XP and Office XP. The activation process for Norton AntiVirus 2004 through 2007 can be accomplished through two methods: over the Internet or by phone. Starting with Norton AntiVirus 2008, activation can only be accomplished over the Internet.
[edit] Mac edition
Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh (SAM) was a discontinued edition of Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS. It was merged with the Norton line of products and is now part of the Norton Systemworks and Norton Internet Security suites. Although originally dealing with viruses on the Mac OS, its use was largely limited in later years, due to the widespread use of the freeware antivirus program Disinfectant in Mac OS Classic, to simply dealing with Windows viruses that may lie dormant while on a Mac.
The current edition for Mac is Norton AntiVirus 11.0 for Macintosh. It provides similar functionalities as its Windows counterpart. Criticism of Norton AntiVirus typically stems from its complex installation[citation needed] (similar to criticisms of the Windows version in that respect) as well as its relatively slow speed and high cost[citation needed]: competing products such as Intego's Virus Barrier X4 suite typically run faster, requires less disk space, and considered less intrusive in terms of installation.
[edit] Criticisms
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[edit] Customer service
Retail customers experience slow and indifferent service on bugs, such as the one that returns to certain users a specific error message that their valid subscriptions have expired,[4] and refuses to allow daily updates via "Intelligent Updater."[citation needed] Though the bug was reported in 2004, it was not corrected for the 2005 version, and continued unpatched during 2006.[1] In May 2007, Norton Antivirus would reportedly remove the program file for the Pegasus e-mail client, an issue which Symantec's customer service allegedly addressed by sticking to a checklist of troubleshooting steps, perhaps indicating a need for a more thorough understanding of the product on the company's behalf.
[edit] FBI/CIA cooperation
Norton AntiVirus was criticized in the past because of Symantec's policy that allows spy software (keyloggers/backdoors) of US law enforcement and intelligence agencies, such as the FBI-developed Magic Lantern, to bypass Norton's malware detection.[5]
[edit] Response to viruses
According to an article by the Washington Post, Norton Antivirus had one of the worst average response times for providing virus definition updates based on the worst virus outbreaks of 2005, lagging behind every major competitor, including NOD32, Kaspersky, Quick Heal, F-Secure, Sophos, Avira, Trend Micro, F-Prot, Panda, Protector Plus, AVG, avast!, ClamWin, and McAfee.[6]
For everyday viruses, according to an article by Eweek titled Why Is Symantec So Slow with Updates?, Symantec was the only vendor that provided virus definition updates on a weekly basis, as opposed to competitors such as McAfee that provides them on a daily basis or Eset, Sophos, Kaspersky or Panda that provide them several times a day.[7]
Symantec did provide frequent beta and "Intelligent Updater" definitions in the form of manually downloadable 8-10 MB packages (although impractical for daily use for even highly technical users) as well as daily updates for LiveUpdate Platinum customers such as large corporations and businesses.
Since version 2006, Daily LiveUpdate definitions have been available to users of Norton AntiVirus. [8] In addition, multiple daily updates are also available to users of Norton AntiVirus 2008 or newer.
[edit] Uninstallation
Norton AntiVirus has been criticized for refusing to uninstall cleanly. In response, Symantec has made available a tool to remove its registry keys and values and perform a cleaner uninstall.[9]
[edit] Effects on performance
The software is typically regarded as making considerable demands on resources[10]. In common with other Norton products, Norton AntiVirus relies on Internet Explorer's web interface, instead of using the standard GUI libraries. Besides using more resources, any problems, security flaws, or changes to Internet Explorer will be reflected in Norton products, commonly resulting in "Script Error" messages when the user opens or uses a Norton program. Sometimes "Script Error" messages occur in the "first-time" wizard, resulting in blank wizard pages and blocking access to the program.
[edit] Incompatibility with other antivirus software
Norton AntiVirus 2007 advises during installation that it is incompatible with popular programs ZoneAlarm and Spy Sweeper.[11] During installation, the purchaser receives warnings that these programs are incompatible, and should be uninstalled from the system before continuing. Since the purchaser is also advised to uninstall other antivirus programs, this would leave very little security indeed for anyone connected directly to the internet during installation.
The incompatibility warnings have caused annoyance for Norton customers who purchased Norton AntiVirus 2007 with no warning or notice of the incompatibility [11] [12]. However, the warning as to ZoneAlarm firewall only (without ZoneAlarm antivirus or spyware installed) has been ignored during installation of Norton Antivirus 2007 without calamity.
Norton AntiVirus has on occasion identified other software incorrectly as "viruses" or "trojans" and deleted them; for instance, on 2007-05-17, Pegasus Mail was added to the NAV virus definitions list and removed from the systems of users. This restriction was quickly corrected in a subsequent virus definition update. [13] In July 2007, many Steam users reported that Norton AntiVirus would not allow Steam to run Counter-Strike or other games due to related files being mislabelled as trojans.[14]
[edit] Criticisms on the internet
The 20 Reasons The World Despises Norton Antivirus[15] is a sarcastic article that addresses most of the major issues with Norton Antivirus. It was quickly swept into mainstream acceptance despite its author's objection that he was simply joking. The article was noted by the University of Rhode Island.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Symantec ships faulty Norton AntiVirus 2006 update - Alpha Blog - alpha.cnet.com
- ^ Norton AntiVirus 2007 Internet security and firewall reviews - CNET Reviews
- ^ Symantec Security Response - Download Virus Definitions
- ^ Error: "Your virus protection cannot be updated" when running the Intelligent Updater
- ^ AV vendors split over FBI Trojan snoops | The Register
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Why Is Symantec So Slow with Updates?
- ^ Options for updating virus definitions in Norton products
- ^ Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
- ^ Why you should ditch Norton AntiVirus - Talkback at ZDNet UK
- ^ a b Norton AV versus Zone Alarm - can't you have both? | Ask Jack | Guardian Unlimited
- ^ Norton AntiVirus 2007 Ratings. Internet security and firewall User Opinions
- ^ Pegasus Mail & Mercury - Norton AntiVirus detecting winpm-32.exe as Trjan.Dropper!!!!
- ^ Norton AV Detecting A Trojan When I Start Up CS ***ALL THREADS MERGED - UPDATED*** - Steam Users Forums
- ^ Deep Thought: 20 Reasons The World despises Norton Anti-Virus
