Microsoft Anti-Spyware Deleting Norton Anti-Virus

Washington Post ^ | 02/12/2006 | Brian Krebs

[amigatec]

Microsoft's Anti-Spyware program is causing troubles for people who also use Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus software; apparently, a recent update to Microsoft's anti-spyware application flags Norton as a password-stealing program and prompts users to remove it.

According to several different support threads over at Microsoft's user groups forum, the latest definitions file from Microsoft "(version 5805, 5807) detects Symantec Antivirus files as PWS.Bancos.A (Password Stealer)."

When Microsoft Anti-Spyware users remove the flagged Norton file as prompted, Symantec's product gets corrupted and no longer protects the user's machine. The Norton user then has to go through the Windows registry and delete multiple entries (registry editing is always a dicey affair that can quickly hose a system if the user doesn't know what he or she is doing) so that the program can be completely removed and re-installed.

[amigatec]

MS is it at it again.

"DOS isn't done, untill Lotus won't run"

[Incorrigible]

Norton and McAfee should be removed. The Microsoft software is doing the job.

[solitas]

apparently, a recent update to Microsoft's anti-spyware application flags Norton as a password-stealing program and prompts users to remove it.

Oh, yeah: THAT'S an accident.

[bronxboy]

I Hate Micosoft...they have no business deleting anything from my computer.

[Wiz]

Symantec is junk anyways, let it get deleted. Symantec has very awful user support and their website got hacked months ago. I rather have Kaspersky anti-Virus. They've got a balanced anti-virus capabilities against compressed and encrypted files.

[capt. norm]

I gave up on Norton a long time ago. Good riddance.

[winston2]

ping

[Wiz]

No, I didn't add "NORTONISJUNKANYWAYS" to the key word list so don't blame me (^^;)

[goresalooza]

When buying or upgrading any Norton product, they tell you to disable the MS anti-spyware and the MS firewall progs because they interfere with Norton.

No problemo. Done. Norton runs like a champ. Take that, Bill Gates!

[solitas]

Why? It's because of their OS that you have all those nasssty little things there to begin with! :)

[Perdogg]

I have both Norton and Microsoft anti-spyware. Last week I woke up and there was a message on my computer that my Norton was down and needed to be registered, which was strange because my Norton was 13 months old. My firewall was down and I re-registered. I haven't had any problems since. I did a scan after wards from Norton and I had no viruses on my machine.

[Wiz]

This is a little away from the topic but I've heard the new version of Windows to have capabilities to run several anti-virus programs without or with little conflict. While one virsus may fool one of the anti-virus programs, this will allow a double trap... but I wonder about the resource PCs will consume running several anti-Virus programs.

[craig_eddy]

they have no business deleting anything from my computer.

"They" won't delete anything from your computer. Read the article...you're PROMPTED and ASKED if you want to delete what appears to be phishing software.

If you don't want to, select Ignore Always and not only will it not be deleted, but you also won't be bothered about that one again.

[BIGWALLY]

I just ran a scan with Microsoft AntiSpyware (1.0.107) and did not have any report of any problem with Norton AntiVirus (10.0.1.13).

[Fresh Wind]

Symantec's product gets corrupted and no longer protects the user's machine

My experience is that Symantec's product doesn't protect the user's machine when it is operating properly and Symantec doesn't seem to give a damn. Never another dime for Symantec.

[LibKill]

This works very well for me and it's free. Grisoft AVG Free.

Click Here. (Will open in new window.)

[GregB]

AVG is great!!!!!!!!!!

[Dustoff45]

When MicroSoft first offered the AntiSpyware package, I loaded it onto a PC that had Lavasoft Adaware SE and Spybot 1.4 both running. After several weeks the MS application returned Zero results.

I concluded why offer MS a shot at your files if two other respected programs can do more!

[machman]

Duh.

You are not supposed to run 2 anti-virus programs at the same time.

Anyway, who actually pays for anti-virus for the home anyway????

Avast anti-virus

AVG

And there are other decent free ones out thre.

[backhoe]

AVG is very, very good, and doesn't hog system resources like some of the Big Names do.

Another very good antivirus, if AVG doesn't suit for some reason, is this one:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

...also free for home & non-commercial use.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Run MSAS, then Spybot or Adaware! MSAS misses a lot.
With AVG, Spyware Blaster, Adaware and Spybot, Norton is a waste of space.

[DHC-2]

Sure ... but does it prompt you that you are REMOVING NORTON? I'll make the decisions about my own computer. This tells me Microsoft would rather make the decisions and that I should "trust them" to make choices for me. Thank God I make my own choices.

[Wiz]

AVG is good and probably the front runner in free anti-virus, and it is well balanced detecting encrypted and compressed files even not enough as Kaspersky Anti Virus, but the problem is that the free version of AVG only allows you to delete or contain it and not cure. Well, at least it will do the job detecting the virus. It's worth to get something for free.

[Incorrigible]

As the neighborhood techie, I can tell you I get a lot fewer calls since I told everyone to remove Norton and McAfee and to install the ZoneLabs suite.  I've been a fan since the free firewall first came out.

Now PC Magazine just gave it Editors Choice two years in a row.  Doesn't do absolutely everything, but when combined with a good home based hardware router/firewall and a little "education" on the part of the users (especially their teenage children), the machines have been humming on my street.  Even got a gift certificate from a neighbor.

ZoneAlarm

PC Mag: Editors' Choice: ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0

 

[chainsaw]

Symantec has very awful user support

You can say that again. Try finding an email address for suport. it doesn't exist, or at least I couldn't find one.

I finally uninstalled Norton and installed Avast. Turned off DNS and installed a host file.(Hostman21)

[bronxboy]

I read the article...I certainly understand. However, they have no right to do this. Many naive computer users will delete their anti-viral programs...Microsoft's poorly designed products create the security problems, and I hear we will soon have to pay in order to obtain security enhancing products from Microsoft.

[ctdonath2]

Nothin' new.

Way back when, if you tried to dual-boot Windows with OS/2, Windows would say "OS/2 detected. Remove?"

[goldstategop]

Norton is a resource hog and should be classified as a virus. Perhaps Microsoft is onto something.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[goldstategop]

I'm running Zone Alarm Anti-Virus. Its their firewall suite paired with an anti-virus program. And it integrates well with the Microsoft Security Center included in SP 2.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Incorrigible]

Yep. When I find viruses on my neighbor's machines, I typically find Kazzaa or some variant.

I let the teens know that even if they think they're downloading "free music", when the system crashes late at night while finishing the homework they haven't saved, is it really free?

[ops33]

Your response puzzles me. You state that a person should not run two different anti-virus programs. Why? One of the problems I have with anti-virus and anti-spyware programs is how do I know for sure that any one program actually got rid off all the viruses or spyware on my computer?

[Stentor]

I just ran a scan with Microsoft AntiSpyware (1.0.107)

Absolutely useless. Run a scan from Ewido and see how useless.

[RayChuang88]

This is actually a good idea given how much of a resource hog Norton Anti-Virus is nowadays. Small wonder why I prefer the vastly less resource-hungry AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Version 3.1.375.

[RayChuang88]

In many cases, you don't want to "cure" the file as the problem may come again later.

[SaveTheChief]

Microsoft shouldn't do this.

That being said, every time I have had a piece of Norton software on one of my machines, the system performance drastically tanks and ends up causing more trouble than it is worth.

I use the free edition of AVG Antivirus. It is inconspicuous, updates daily in seconds, and I haven't had a virus problem since I started using it a couple of years ago.

[Noumenon]

Norton and McAfee - divisions of General Defective. These are tw of the most oversold, overhyped and ineffective products on the market.

[machman]

Zone Alarm AV is licensed from Computer Associates, which used to give their AV away for free for home users, then found out they could make a few nickels by charging for it. I used to swear by it.

As for uninstalling AV products before installing another one, this is what Avast has to say about it:

Q: Should I uninstall other anti-virus programs (Norton Antivirus, McAfee, AVG, Kaspersky Antivirus etc.) before installing avast!? A: Yes. Using two or more antivirus programs can cause problems and the operating system may become unstable.

Link

Here is what AVG says:

02110 Q: AVG installation fails if Norton Internet Security is installed on the same computer

A: It is possible that AVG installation will fail if Norton Internet Security software is installed on the same computer. Generally (for all antivirus vendors), the use of more than one antivirus product under the same operating system is NOT recommended because of possible conflicts in their main components. In this case the possible solutions are:

uninstall Norton Internet Security completely

reboot your computer

install AVG

install Norton Internet Security (if you like to use it as well)

It's not a MS thing.

[goldstategop]

You can have two anti-virus products on your computer but you shouldn't run them at the same time. The computer gets sloooooow. As for a firewall, well its not a good idea to run two together because double the protection is redundant. Plus it plays havoc with managing who gets access to the Internet.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[bandleader]

I noticed that my Norton icon was missing on Saturday morning(toolbar).Norton runs a complete scan every Friday night.Every mornig,I click on"update".There was a message from Symantec on my monitor saturday morning.I sorted it out by clicking on The Norton icon on my monitor.

[babyface00]

Never another dime for Symantec.

Does it seem to anyone else that Symantec's business model is something along the lines of:

1) Acquire company with successful working product
2) Rebrand product under Symantec - jack up the price significantly
3) Force userbase to "upgrade" to a compromised "new" version of the old product
4) Milk consumers for all they're worth until enough realize Symantec is selling cr@p and go to competitors
5) Repeat with step one

[TechJunkYard]

.. apparently, a recent update to Microsoft's anti-spyware application flags Norton as a password-stealing program and prompts users to remove it.

Yeah, a really robust signature file there, Micr'soft.

I don't know about y'all, but I think that's funny! Sorta like "DLL-Hell", yaknowwhutImean?

Sure glad I don't have to run all of that AV/Spyware crap on my boxen.

[napscoordinator]

If it was not for microsoft we probably would not be as advanced in the computer age as we are. I think Microsoft is a great company. For some reason (not saying you) but as soon as a company is successful people start bashing it. They are complaining about Walmart big time and Microsoft gets it alot also.

[gopheraj]

Ping for later

[texas booster]

Thanks for the link. I have added Ewido to my toolkit for software cleanup.

[ansel12]

"If it was not for microsoft we probably would not be as advanced in the computer age as we are. I think Microsoft is a great company. For some reason (not saying you) but as soon as a company is successful people start bashing it. They are complaining about Walmart big time and Microsoft gets it alot also."

Sounds reasonable to me.

[petercooper]

bttt

[Hot Tabasco]

Recently my Norton subscription expired so I upgraded and bought the 2006 edition. It just bogged my system down from the getgo. After screwing around for an entire day, I finally deleted it from my system then downloaded a free antivirus program from AVG. $50+ down the drain.

For some reason my system is still running slow and there is a new program that showed up called WEX TECH ANSWERWORKS.

Following the removal of Norton, I also did a complete DeFrag and disk cleanup but it is still slow.

Any ideas on what is slowing it down?

[Oystir]

I got tired of Norton as well and have been using Avast or AVG. I did like Norton's defrag program though. Does anyone know of a good defrag other than MS's?

[RightWinger]

I use AVG (free), ZoneAlarm, Ad-Aware SE and Spybot.

[Roses0508]

I've been a fan of the Zone Alarm firewall since shortly after they went into business. I know some people have trouble with it from time to time, but on the occasions I've had a chance to look at those machines, the problem has not been Zone Alarm.

I just switched to their anti-virus also, because when I updated to the latest version of Norton (i) the install took about 2 hours to get properly done; and (ii) afterwards my machine slowed w-a-y down. Its an outrageous resource hog - especially with reference to the e-mail protection suite.