RSSSymantec Joins Anti-Spyware Push
By David Worthington | Published April 19, 2005, 9:53 AM
With a public beta release, Symantec is joining a score of companies offering protection against the growing threat of spyware. Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition leverages Symantec's battle-hardened antivirus scanning engine, automatic updates and real-time background scans to stop spyware at the point of entry.
Symantec says its detection capabilities differentiate Norton Internet Security from competitors. Anti-spyware tools have become a big business for the software industry, as users wise up to the applications invading their systems and privacy.
With Norton Internet Security, spyware scans can be scheduled or take place in real time when LiveUpdate receives new definitions with Norton QuickScan. QuickScan works quietly in the background to detect and quarantine high-risk spyware and adware without user intervention.
Spyware is identified by known definitions provided by Symantec Security Response; providing what Symantec claims will be fewer false positives.
Symantec has also bundled the latest editions of its Norton Personal Firewall software to detect suspicious behavior that may be symptomatic of malware that attempts to obtain personal information like passwords. Spam filtering is provided to separate unwanted e-mail from legitimate e-mail, while protecting the user from phishing scams.
Lastly, Symantec has set its sights on social hygiene. Parents may set Norton Parental Control to restrict access to user specified Web sites and undesirable Internet newsgroups.
"Computer users are fed up with spyware and adware clogging their PCs. They are equally unhappy with standalone products that only address one aspect of their security needs. Users want a single, easy-to-use solution that lets them use their machines without having to become computer security experts," said Matthew Moynahan, vice president of consumer products and solutions at Symantec.
The public beta is free of cost and may be downloaded via FileForum. Symantec expects to distribute copies to OEM customers and retailers in the second quarter of 2005. The product may be purchased for $79.95 USD with current customers and users of select competing products being eligible for upgrade pricing at a cost of $49.95 USD. Windows 2000 Professional or above is required for installation.
If Symantec had done this just a wee bit earlier--it's a little late now, though I had thought symantec AV 2004 (and 2003 with the proper updates) and higher already found malware in addition to viruses?
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|"Computer users are fed up with spyware and adware clogging their PCs. They are equally unhappy with standalone products that only address one aspect of their security needs. Users want a single, easy-to-use solution that lets them use their machines without having to become computer security experts,"
Hahaha. Why yes, we need more computer-illiterate people using *gasp* computers. This mindset that people want/need to be led by the hand is starting to annoy me.
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|Unfortunately that is the case,most users are happy bouncing all over the web filling their machines up with junk.
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|probly why their dumb enough to install a norton product. id rather have the spyware than norton
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|Like a dummy, I fell for the new Public Beta Suite, thinking it was a stand alone antispyware(should have read). I already have SystemworksPremier and Norton Firewall 2005. It works fine, hasn't slowed my system, caught any cooties yet, but then again I've been using Firefox and Opera side by side on 3 comps for the last 1.5 years, with lil or no problems. Only reason I use IE is for updates, or if I must really have to view an IE lover webpage, which I can easily live without. My main complaint is...hear I pay 99 bucks for Premier and 50 bucks for the firewall and now Symantec has the nerve to charge me $79.95 for the new Beta, cause it has antispyware, if I want it, cause I'm an existing customer, but only $49.95 for users of other products....Like I need to pay for another antispyware program..(I have all bases already covered for those dreadful few exhilerating moments I need to use IE)What the hell kind of logic is that,????...AMAO
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|yup thats me the dummy....
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|Me too prefer spyware to norton, does more damage in preformance most of time.
Must say the Microsoft antispyware program is actually pretty good, think still in beta.
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|Hmm..... when you decide to dump Norton...
Antivirus: NOD32
Firewall: Zonealarm
Anti-Spyware: MS Anti-spyware (until they start charging), then Ad-aware.
Just a few suggestions. ;)
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|:-O -- They're going to start charging for MS AntiSpyware? That just ruined my whole week. Thanks a lot lol :-p
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|I don't think Microsoft is going to charge for the antispyware program didn't they create it as a bonus for people with legal copies of xp?
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|Good lord...no, MS is not going to start charging for their antispyware product. Heck, that functionality is even going to be built in to Longhorn (though not AV). Someone may be thinking of a server-based spyware offering that MS might make and may have even discussed. They obviously would charge for that.
And to the fellow who suggested Ad-aware. That's so 2003. It barely makes the top 5 these days and is no longer recommended.
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|'That is so....' fill in your words here.. Another mindless spoof from a non IT/SYS Admin. Ad-Aware/Spybot combination trumps M$ any day.
Reasons:
#1: Not M$
#2: Runs on less resources and in background modes (depending on version).
#3: Not M$
Does this make the MS Antispyware bad? No, most certainly not. Would I trust it with my life? Of course not. Until it has been thoroughly proven, I will continue to run Ad-Aware/Spybot combination. However, I am testing MS Antispyware for my machines...and they are making a few improvements.
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|*big sigh* ok... I can start breathing again.
In response to nightops:
That is why I use MS AntiSpyware in conjunction with Ad-Aware/Spybot. To be honest though, I scan with Spybot once a week and Ad-aware maybe once a month. So far, neither Spybot nor Ad-Aware have found a thing since I loaded MS AntiSpyware. I've really been impressed with it. The resident shield is far more accurate than Spybot's IMO.
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|Ad-Aware does not detect 180 Solutions, WhenU, Hotbar, and whomever else writes them Cease & Desists letters. If you're a spyware maker all you have to do is threaten Ad-Aware with a lawsuit and they'll remove your spyware/adware application from their database.
It's a fact that Ad-Aware has already caved into some spyware/adware vendors threats. I wouldn't trust Ad-Aware anymore. It's a shame.
Ad-Aware is not the only one caving in to demands from spyware/adware developers either.
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