Symantec Kills Internet Instead of Virus
By Erna Mahyuni
It was supposed to be a routine anti-virus update. But for Solid Oak Software’s customers, it might as well have been a real virus. Symantec’s update left them without Internet access, deleting files and blocking any attempt to connect to the Web.
Solid Oak Software makes CYBERSitter filtering software; Symantec’s update decided that CYBERSitter was a rogue entity and according to PC Magazine’s story, the damage was severe enough to have people reinstall entire operating systems, not to mention the headache of all the software that needed to be reinstalled as well.
A Symantec spokesperson said that a fix had been applied, explaining the goof thus:
"On December 5, Symantec moved the detection of an application called CYBERsitter from trackware into a new category called parental controls. Both categories are considered security risks, and Symantec provides its customers with the option of allowing the technology to function as intended or blocking it. During the category switch, behavioral technology in Symantec products detected CYBERsitter as Bloodhound.unknown and restricted Internet access."
CYBERsitter isn’t the only parental control software affected by Symantec’s ‘category switch’. A PCMag reviewer experienced the same issue when attempting to review SnoopStick – Symantec’s NIS 2007 killed the installer.
If Symantec is making such changes to its software that will cause possible compatibility issues with certain types of software, shouldn’t customers or at the very least, developers be made aware? Sure, software compatibility issues are one thing but it’s a different kind of pain when software issues kill your Net connection, leaving customers relying on phone support. A nightmare on both sides.
This certainly isn’t good PR for Symantec, what with the crowded antivirus space right now with Trend Micro, Kapspersky and the like vying for space on consumer desktops. Symantec’s been oft-accused of bloat, creating antivirus software that’s near-impossible to remove cleanly from your computer because it embeds itself so firmly into your registry that uninstalls are the equivalent of removing shrapnel.
So next time your antivirus requests an update, create a restore point. Just in case.
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on Friday, December 7th, 2007 at 11:12 am
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Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
Stumble It!
December 8th, 2007
That is why I do not use norton. Grisoft is better in performance. I think norton is just a resource hog.
Although its products are good, don’t get me wrong, but using too much of my resources slows down ones computer. I’ve tested mcafee, norton, and AVG together, and AVG seemed to be the best in performing, and good on preventing viruses. norton and mcafee can be too picky, but i suppose it is the way you set it up.