Posted on 05/26/2006 7:25:27 AM PDT by cougar_mccxxi
A gaping security flaw in the latest versions of Symantec's anti-virus software suite could put millions of users at risk of a debilitating worm attack, Internet security experts warned May 25.
Researchers at eEye Digital Security, the company that discovered the flaw, said it could be exploited by remote hackers to take complete control of the target machine "without any user action."
"This is definitely wormable. Once exploited, you get a command shell that gives you complete access to the machine. You can remove, edit or destroy files at will," said eEye Digital Security spokesperson Mike Puterbaugh.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Yet another reason to avoid Norton's like the plague.
And their rural counterpart, eEye eEye Oh Digital Security . . .
Wormable.
Kewl new word.
Let's see... how can I incorporate that into casual conversation?
"And their rural counterpart, eEye eEye Oh Digital Security . . ."
Very funny take :)
So is it safer to disable it or leave it running in its current state?
Norton's response: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/security/Content/2006.05.25.html
And do you realize that huge numbers of government computers use Norton's?
"I have had more trouble with viruses since using the new Norton Anti-Virus than I have ever had."
There are many alternatives to Norton that are worth looking into. Some of the better alternatives are freeware.
Indeed.
I dropped them ages ago and have been using AVG Free for years. It rocks.
Would someone recommend a good anti-virus software other than Norton's. I'm not a happy camper with the Symantec India-based tech support as they have screwed up my PC on two occasions and I would like to purchase something else--I get conflicting info when I do an Internet search on the anti-virus reviews.
Hmmm...I just uninstalled Norton and am now using AVG Free. I didn't have any problems with Norton at all, though. Just wasn't going to pay them any more after mine expired.
"So is it safer to disable it or leave it running in its current state?"
Its safer and better to uninstall Norton and find an alternative.
No one should use Anti-Computer Virus Software - Duhh.
You should use Anti-VIRUS COMPUTER software...
"I dropped them ages ago and have been using AVG Free for years. It rocks."
Right on brother.
AVG Free is highly recommended, which is why I switched to it. You can, of course, pay for the full version with more capabilities.
"I dropped them ages ago and have been using AVG Free for years. It rocks."
Another satisfied customer review of a worthwhile antivirus program.
Should have done this in my earlier post. Here's the AVG free link: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
That was my thought too.... as an opening line at a cheesy bar.
"Hey hotstuff.... you wormable"?
LOL
Of the above, AVG is probably the best. However, I believe you are allowed to run a single copy of AVG, on a single PC. I run AVG on one system, and Avast on another. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one.
My experience with the Symantec/Norton product has been a nightmare. The last time, it came preinstalled on my Dads new computer and wouldnt let me update ANYTHING, even Windows Update. (Death for a new computer)
Removing it was a horror, too. It had tenacles everywhere, including 25+ registry entries.
We use Avast. I love it. Free, too!
I have something rude to say about Symantec and Norton's in the back of my mind, but I try to be a nice Christian lady, so will refrain.
But it's hard.
What's really a drag is that Symantec bought and promptly discontinued one of the best free firewalls ever made; Sygate.
Thank goodness I have the file safely stored away.
I used AVG for years until there was some continuing problem with updates they couldnt seem to get fixed.
I love Avasts auto update feature. Does AVG have this now too?
I heard that Sygate was very good. How do you update the ant-virus files?
Yes, AVG has auto-update.
I ran Norton under Win98. Frequent blue screens due to programming conflicts.
Changed to McAfee. It was good -- at first. Got to be glutware and made the system sluggish. Installed the trial McAfee firewall when I got cable internet. Didn't like it; uninstalled it. It continued, ever couple of weeks, to pop up a message to buy it. I had to reformat the HD to get rid of that crap.
Tried Fix-it/Trend Micro. It was ok, but started to get buggy with upgrades.
Tried the 'free' software the cable company endorses. Glutware, slow.
Had to reinstall my OS (XP) [operator error]. Reinstall increased speed and program access tremendously. So far, I am using the free Zonealarm firewall and AVG and my system is running fast.
=====
Gunfire just reported on FoxNews inside Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
mark
And the Avast website has a forum, for those with questions or seeking help/assistance.
I have had more trouble with viruses since using the new Norton Anti-Virus than I have ever had. I suspected that there was something wrong with the program. From my experience, I bet there is more wrong with it than what was in that article.
Yup. Me too. I currently have a virus/worm called W32Spybotagen and It has to be manually removed. I am not techy enough to do it. It hides in the System Restore files. I've read all the information on how to remove it manually but it is way over my head. I'm going to have to take my computer in to someone who can do it for me. It sucks and tics me off.
"My experience with the Symantec/Norton product has been a nightmare."
As was mine. Norton should be classified as "bloatware"
How about ... "My cows were wormable so I gave 'em all a big shot of Ivermectin." ....... Or is that to real world?
"I used AVG for years until there was some continuing problem with updates they couldnt seem to get fixed.
I love Avasts auto update feature. Does AVG have this now too?"
AVG updates come to me with no problems. I manually update it daily though; I do not rely on auto-updates.
Norton is bloated GARBAGEWARE...almost as bad as MacAfee.
I have been using eZArmor from Computer Associates. I got it at WalMart pretty cheap and have not had virus issues in a few years now. Not thrilled about the $34.99 yearly update fee ... but Im clean.
"I heard that Sygate was very good. How do you update the ant-virus files?"
Sygate is a firewall, not an anti-virus program; hence there are no definition updates.
Since the program was bought by Symantec and discontinued there will be no future updates of the program either, but it is a great firewall in my opinion.
This was several years ago. Around the time that 7.0 (payware) came out.
Sounds like you need to turn OFF system restore for starters.
It is a nasty place for unwantables to reside.
Good luck!
"I have been using eZArmor from Computer Associates. I got it at WalMart pretty cheap and have not had virus issues in a few years now. Not thrilled about the $34.99 yearly update fee ... but Im clean."
Thats the main thing; staying clean yet fully functional. But if you ever get tired of yearly fees give some of the before mentioned free antivirus programs a try.
At least Sygate will not be harassing you with constant updates. That's why I left Zonealarm [after many years] for Kerio Personal Firewall. I didn't like the direction Zonealarm seemed to be going. So far, Kerio is as smooth as silk operationally.
Well...about every month I get a disabled message from Norton that demands I send my activation code to them...this pisses me off...I pay for service and these boobs turn it off at random....GRRRRRRRRRRRR
If I have a very pesky problem I use ethereal to filter out any nasty packets.
Also . . keep an up to date HOSTS file full of all the nasty domains you never want to load.
What irked me about Norton was that my auto update quit working. I had to figure out how to go to their site and download manually--and then I had to remember to do it weekly. Besides, I wanted to be rid of all the other Norton programs on my computer that I never used.
"At least Sygate will not be harassing you with constant updates. That's why I left Zonealarm [after many years] for Kerio Personal Firewall. I didn't like the direction Zonealarm seemed to be going. So far, Kerio is as smooth as silk operationally."
Very true; I wont have to worry about updates from Syagate!
Kerio is good too; I used them for a while with no problems. And you're right on about ZoneAlarm. When they first came out the program was good. About four years ago it seemed to suddenly become flaky and boggy and generally a pain.
Maybe Symantec secretly bought ZoneAlarm???
I have removed Norton from all the machines I manage.
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