Norton AntiVirus#Version 2007 (14.0)

In May 1989, Symantec launched Symantec Antivirus for the Macintosh (SAM).SAM Identifies Virus-Infected Files, Repairs Applications, InfoWorld, May 22, 1989 SAM 2.0, released March 1990, incorporated technology allowing users to easily update SAM to intercept and eliminate new viruses, including many that didn't exist at the time of the program's release.SAM Update Lets Users Program for New Viruses, InfoWorld, Feb 19, 1990

In August 1990 Symantec acquired Peter Norton Computing from Peter Norton.{{cite news | title=COMPANY NEWS; Symantec to Acquire Peter Norton | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/15/business/company-news-symantec-to-acquire-peter-norton.html | work=Lawrence M. Fisher | publisher=The New York Times Company | date=May 15, 1990 | access-date=2009-03-30}} Norton and his company developed various DOS utilities including the Norton Utilities, which did not include antivirus features. Symantec continued the development of acquired technologies. The technologies are marketed under the name of "Norton", with the tagline "from Symantec". Norton's crossed-arm pose, a registered U.S. trademark, was traditionally featured on Norton product packaging.{{cite web | title=Legal Notice – Symantec Canada | url=http://www.symantec.com/region/can/eng/legal_note.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991012033915/http://www.symantec.com/region/can/eng/legal_note.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 12, 1999 | publisher=Symantec Corporation | access-date=2009-03-30}} However, his pose was later moved to the spine of the packaging, and eventually dropped altogether.{{cite web | title=SYMANTEC BRAND IDENTITY | url=http://www.frogdesign.com/pdf/frog_design_symantec.pdf| publisher=frog design inc. | access-date=2009-03-30}}

With the 1998 version 5.0 update, SAM was renamed Norton AntiVirus (NAV) for Macintosh.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121005172739/http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=19980518_01 Symantec Brings New Version of Top-Selling Macintosh AntiVirus Software into Norton Family of Products] Press Release.

{{refimprove section|date=January 2023}}

By early 1991, U.S. computers were invaded by hundreds of foreign virus strains and corporate PC infection was becoming a serious problem. Symantec's Norton Group launched Norton AntiVirus 1.0 (NAV) for PC and compatible computers.Foreign Virus Strains Emerge as Latest Threat to U.S. PCs, InfoWorld, Feb 4, 1991 Ads for the product, with suggested retail $129, featured Norton in his crossed-arm pose, wearing a pink shirt and surgical mask covering his nose and mouth.

Due to bug in the software, the original Norton Antivirus 1.0 does not repair infected files or boot sectors properly. This was fixed when version 1.5 was released in June 1991, along with the addition of the option of installing multiple scan levels of the Norton Antivirus Intercept (later renamed to Norton Antivirus Auto-Protect starting off with Norton Antivirus 3.0 released in September 1993.

Norton Antivirus 2.0 was released in December 1991, and introduced the feature of creating a rescue disk, which would include the partition table, CMOS settings memory information, and boot sector of a hard disk of an MS-DOS computer system. This is very handy in case a virus that its definitions do not detect, overwrite this information or move the boot sector to a different location of the hard disk.

Norton Antivirus 3.0, released in September 1993, introduced a unique feature. Unlike other antivirus software products for MS-DOS and early Windows, which will only notify you to turn off your computer, but continue anyway, Auto-Protect or the main program will scan for viruses in memory before loading themselves. If they find a virus loaded into memory, they will halt the entire computer so that you can't even perform a warm boot (Ctrl+Alt+Delete), So that you can turn off your computer from the power and turn it back on again with a clean, uninfected system disk. Most often, this can either be the rescue disk created, or the original MS-DOS system installation disk, followed by the Norton Antivirus program installation disks. This feature is the safest way to deal with any kind of virus in memory. Norton Antivirus 3.0 is also the first version for Windows 3.1.

Product activation was introduced in Norton AntiVirus 2004, addressing the estimated 3.6 million counterfeit Norton products sold. An alphanumeric code is generated to identify a computer's configuration, which ties in with the product key. Users are allowed to activate their product five times with the same product key.{{cite web | title=Symantec adds product activation | url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1046_3-5068370.html | work=David Becker | publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. | date=August 26, 2003 | access-date=2009-03-31}} Spyware and adware detection and removal was introduced to the 2005 version, with the tagline "Antispyware Edition".{{cite web | title=Norton Internet Security 2005 Antispyware Edition | url=http://reviews.cnet.com/antivirus-and-filtering/norton-internet-security-2005/4505-3681_7-31338419.html?tag=txt%3bpage | work=Robert Vamosi | publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. | date=April 18, 2005 | access-date=2009-03-30}} The tagline was dropped in later releases. However, Norton AntiVirus 2009 Classic does not include spyware or adware detection. The Classic edition is marketed alongside Norton AntiVirus 2009, which does include spyware and adware detection.

Existing users of the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 versions can upgrade to the latest 2010 version without buying a new subscription. Upgrading will preserve the number of days left on a user's subscription.{{Cite web|url=https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20090121104844EN_EndUserProfile_en_us|title=Update Norton to the latest version|date=May 2018|website=Norton By Symantec}}

The redesigned main graphical user interface aggregates information in a central user interface.{{cite web|date= October 3, 2005|author= sralls |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-security-and-firewall/norton-antivirus-2006/4505-3667_7-31473733.html?tag=mncol;lst |title=Norton AntiVirus 2006 Internet security and firewall reviews – CNET Reviews |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |access-date=2009-02-23}} CNET reports the Norton Protection Center, while useful, attempts to advertise additional products. To further facilitate detection of zero-day malware, Bloodhound disassembles a variety of programming languages, and scans code for malicious instructions using predefined algorithms.{{cite web|url=http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2000-121911-5753-99 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101113758/http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2000-121911-5753-99 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 1, 2007 |title=Bloodhound |publisher=Symantec |access-date=2009-02-23}} Internet Explorer homepage hijacking protection was introduced in this release as well; however notably missing is search engine hijacking protection. CNET highlighted Norton AntiVirus 2006's noticeable impact on system performance.

Operating system requirements call for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or Windows XP. 150 MB of free space and a 300 MHz processor is required under either operating system. 128 MB of RAM is required under Windows 2000, while 256 MB is required in Windows XP.

Norton AntiVirus 2007 was released on September 12, 2006.{{cite web

| title = Symantec's Norton AntiVirus 2007, Norton Internet Security 2007 Provide State-Of-The-Art Security and Performance to Protect Against Today's Newest Threats

| date = 12 September 2006

| url = http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20060912_02

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061021175359/http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20060912_02

| url-status = dead

| archive-date = October 21, 2006

| access-date = 2010-05-29}} Symantec revised Norton AntiVirus with the goal of reducing high system resource utilization.{{cite web|author=Robert Vamosi |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-security-and-firewall/norton-antivirus-2007/4505-3667_7-32069537.html |title=Norton AntiVirus 2007 Internet security and firewall reviews – CNET Reviews |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |access-date=2009-02-23}} Windows Vista compatibility was introduced in this release as well. Despite having about 80% of the code rewritten, CNET reports mixed results in performance testing.

Windows 2000 compatibility was dropped from this release. Compatibility with 32-bit versions of Windows Vista was added to this release with a patch from Symantec. Hardware requirements under Vista call for 150 MB free space, an 800  MHz processor and 512 MB RAM. Requirements under Windows XP similarly call for 150 MB free space, a 300 MHz processor, and 256 MB of RAM.

Norton AntiVirus 2008 was released on August 28, 2007. Emphasizing malware prevention, new features include SONAR, which looks for suspicious application behavior. This release adds real-time exploit protection, preventing attackers from leveraging common browser and application vulnerabilities.{{cite web |url=http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/D797C6B246A7ECA5CC25734600732321 |title=New Zealand PC World Magazine > Symantec unveils Browser Defender in its 2008 consumer security software |publisher=Pcworld.co.nz |date=2007-08-30 |access-date=2010-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717134231/http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/D797C6B246A7ECA5CC25734600732321 |archive-date=2011-07-17 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/29/Symantec-unveils-2008-consumer-security-software_1.html |title=Symantec unveils Browser Defender in its 2008 consumer security software |access-date=2009-03-07 |work=Gregg Keizer |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand Limited |date=August 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706160100/http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/29/Symantec-unveils-2008-consumer-security-software_1.html |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }}

When installed in 32-bit versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2, 300 MB of free space, a 300 MHz processor, and 256 MB of RAM is required. When installed in 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, 300 MB of free space, an 800 MHz processor, and 256 MB of RAM is needed.

File:Nav-large-1.jpg

Norton AntiVirus 2009 was released on September 8, 2008. Addressing performance issues, over 300 changes were made, with a "zero-impact" goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2335532,00.asp |title=Symantec Launches Norton Antivirus 'Gaming Edition'|access-date=2009-02-24 |publisher=PC Magazine |date= 2008-11-25|first=Neil J. |last=Rubenking}}{{cite web |url=https://www.symantec.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/2008/symantec_0909_01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044437/https://www.symantec.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/2008/symantec_0909_01 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |title=Symantec Launches Fastest Security Products in the World |access-date=2009-03-04 |publisher=Symantec, Corporation |date=September 9, 2008 }} Benchmarking conducted by Passmark Software PTY LTD highlights its 47-second install time, 32 second scan time, and 5 MB memory utilization. Symantec funded the benchmark test and provided some scripts used to benchmark each participating antivirus software.Passmark Software (February 2009),[http://www.passmark.com/ftp/antivirus_09-performance-testing-ed3.pdf Antivirus, Internet Security and Total Security Products Performance Benchmarking (2009) Vista/Dual Core Hardware], retrieved 4 October 2012

The security status and settings are now displayed in a single main interface. A CPU usage monitor displays the total CPU utilization and Norton's CPU usage in the main interface. Other features include Norton Insight, a whitelisting technology which cuts scanning times by mapping known safe files using information from an online database.{{cite web|url=http://www.geekstogo.com/2009/01/05/norton-internet-security-2009-review/#more-777|title=Norton Internet Security 2009|last=Tal|date=January 5, 2009|publisher=geekstogo.com|access-date=2009-01-07}} To address malware response times, updates are delivered every 5 to 15 minutes. However, such updates are not tested by Symantec, and may cause false positives, or incorrectly identify files as malicious. The exploit scanner found in the 2007 and 2008 versions was dropped from this release.

When installed in 32-bit versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2, 150 MB of free space, a 300 MHz processor, and 256 MB of RAM is required. When installed in 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, 150 MB of free space, an 800 MHz processor, and 512 MB of RAM is required.

Two variations on Norton AntiVirus 2009 are also marketed by Symantec. The Gaming edition provides finer control over when Norton downloads updates and allows components of the suite to be disabled either manually or automatically when the computer enters full-screen mode. The Classic edition cannot find or remove adware and spyware.

File:Antivirus.JPG of Norton AntiVirus 2010]]

Version 17.0 was released on September 9, 2009.{{cite news |author=Neil J. Rubenking |title=Symantec Releases Norton 2010 Betas |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349613,00.asp |date=July 2, 2009 |publisher=PC Magazine |access-date=15 July 2009}} Several features have been updated in this release, including SONAR, now dubbed SONAR 2. It now uses more information to determine if an application is truly malicious. Norton Insight can present users with information about the origins, activities, and performance of applications along with reputation data. A new feature codenamed Autospy helps users understand what Norton did when malware was found. Previous releases removed threats on sight and quietly warned users, potentially confusing when users are deceived in downloading rogue security software. Much of this information is placed on the back of the main window; a toggle button switches between the sides.{{cite news |author= Preston Gralla |title=Norton Internet Security 2010 beta: Different approach, new features, some glitches |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idgSmallBusiness/idUS372477872520090707 |date=July 7, 2009 |publisher=Thomson Reuters |access-date=8 July 2009}}

Symantec has also added Windows 7 support. Aside from that, Symantec has also added the Norton Download Insight to prevent drive by drive downloads.

File:NortonAntivirus2011.jpg of Norton AntiVirus 2011]]

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Symantec briefly discontinued the standalone Norton AntiVirus product in 2015 instead replacing it with Norton Security.{{cite web|title=Symantec consolidates all Norton products into one tool|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/symantec-consolidates-all-norton-products-into-one-tool-1262048|website=TechRadar|access-date=24 February 2017|language=en}}

File:Norton Anti Virus Latest Interface.png of Norton AntiVirus 2016-present]]

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The FBI confirmed the active development of Magic Lantern, a keylogger intended to obtain passwords to encrypted e-mail and other documents during criminal investigations. Magic Lantern was first reported in the media by Bob Sullivan of MSNBC on 20 November 2001 and by Ted Bridis of the Associated Press.{{cite news |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3341694 | title = FBI software cracks encryption wall | first = Bob | last = Sullivan | publisher = MSNBC | date = 2001-11-20 | access-date = 2007-11-20}}Ted Bridis. "FBI Develops Eavesdropping Tools," Washington Post, November 22, 2001. The FBI intends to deploy Magic Lantern in the form of an e-mail attachment. When the attachment is opened, it installs a trojan horse on the suspect's computer, which is activated when the suspect uses PGP encryption, often used to increase the security of sent email messages. When activated, the trojan will log the PGP password, which allows the FBI to decrypt user communications.{{cite web|url=http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa121401a.htm |title=FBI Has a Magic Lantern |publisher=Usgovinfo.about.com |access-date=2009-02-23}} Symantec and other major antivirus vendors have whitelisted the Magic Lantern trojan, rendering their antivirus products, including Norton AntiVirus, incapable of detecting it. Concerns around this whitelisting include uncertainties about Magic Lantern's full surveillance potential and whether hackers could subvert it and redeploy it for purposes outside of law enforcement.{{cite web |url=http://utopia.csis.pace.edu/dps/2007/jkile/2005%20-%20Spring/DCS823/Spyware/01016895.pdf |title=Invasive Software: Who's Inside Your Computer? |access-date=2009-03-12 |work=George Lawton |date=July 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720024630/http://utopia.csis.pace.edu/dps/2007/jkile/2005%20-%20Spring/DCS823/Spyware/01016895.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}{{cite web |date=2001-12-11 |title=The FBI's "Magic Lantern" Shines Bright |url=http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=266 |access-date=2009-02-23 |website=Kaspersky |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211222706/http://www.kaspersky.com:80/news?id=266 |archive-date=2009-02-11}}

On January 28, 2010 Symantec Anti-virus update marked Spotify as a Trojan Horse disabling the software across millions of PCs.{{cite web|url=http://aka-community.symantec.com/connect/forums/spotify-detected-trojan-horse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131074749/http://aka-community.symantec.com/connect/forums/spotify-detected-trojan-horse |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2010 |title=Spotify is detected as an Trojan Horse? |publisher=Symantec |access-date=2012-10-04}}{{cite web|url=http://getsatisfaction.com/spotify/topics/spotify_defined_as_a_trojan_by_symantec |title=Spotify defined as a trojan by Symantec |publisher=Getsatisfaction.com |access-date=2012-10-04}}

Retail customers report slow and indifferent service on bugs. Examples include a faulty error message stating current subscriptions had expired.{{cite web | title=Error: "Your virus protection cannot be updated" when running the Intelligent Updater | url=http://service1.symantec.com/Support/sharedtech.nsf/docid/2000120709403806?Open&src=con_ols_nam | publisher=Symantec Corporation | date=July 27, 2007 | access-date=2009-05-27 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905030108/http://service1.symantec.com/Support/sharedtech.nsf/docid/2000120709403806?Open&src=con_ols_nam | archive-date=September 5, 2009 }} Users received an error stating "Your virus protection cannot be updated." This error occurred after an update to the software and refused to allow daily updates. Though the bug was reported in 2004, it was not corrected for the 2005 or 2006 versions.

Another incident occurred in May 2007, when Norton AntiVirus flagged components of the Pegasus email client as malicious, rendering the program corrupted.{{cite web | title=Pegasus Email Client Being Flagged as a Trojan Program | url=http://www.tnpcnewsletter.com/blog/2007/05/18/pegasus-email-client-being-flagged-as-a-trojan-program/ | work=DanB | publisher=TNPC Newsletter | date=May 18, 2007 | access-date=2009-05-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905073202/http://www.tnpcnewsletter.com/blog/2007/05/18/pegasus-email-client-being-flagged-as-a-trojan-program/ | archive-date=2009-09-05 | url-status=dead }} Symantec customer service addressed the problem by running through a checklist of troubleshooting steps which were not always successful.

On July 25, 2006, Symantec released a faulty update for Norton AntiVirus 2006 users. Users reported an onscreen message stating "Norton AntiVirus 2006 does not support the repair feature. Please uninstall and reinstall.".{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/07/screwy_update_confuses_norton.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405184409/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/07/screwy_update_confuses_norton.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |title=Faulty Update Stymies Norton Users |access-date=2009-02-26 |publisher=The Washington Post Company |year=2009 }} Symantec claimed the faulty update was downloaded to customers between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM on July 25, 2006. Symantec developed a workaround tool and has listed troubleshooting steps, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090113183754/http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/0/84551c7f6c94dea8882571bb001c13c6?OpenDocument available here]. The company released a statement, stating they expected to deliver a repair patch to affected users by Monday, July 31, 2006."{{cite web |last=Vamosi |first=Robert |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6623474.html |title=Symantec ships faulty Norton AntiVirus 2006 update – Alpha Blog – alpha.cnet.com |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |date=2006-07-31 |access-date=2010-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605222747/http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6623474.html |archive-date=2009-06-05 |url-status=dead }}

{{Infobox software

| name = Norton Removal Tool

| screenshot=Image:NortonRemovalTool.png

| caption = Norton Removal Tool

| developer = Symantec Corporation

| latest release version = 2012.0.0.19

| operating_system = Microsoft Windows

| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20070527121505/http://www.symantec.com/symnrt/ Norton Removal Tool Homepage]

}}

Norton AntiVirus has been criticized for refusing to uninstall completely, leaving unnecessary files behind.{{cite web |url=http://windowssecrets.com/2008/02/07/01-Symantec-uninstaller-may-not-finish-the-job |title=Symantec uninstaller may not finish the job |access-date=2009-03-05 |work=Scott Dunn |publisher=WindowsSecrets.com |date=February 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227101051/http://windowssecrets.com/2008/02/07/01-Symantec-uninstaller-may-not-finish-the-job |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fully_remove_norton_antivirus_from_my_system.html |title=How can I fully remove Norton Antivirus from my system? |publisher=Dave Taylor |access-date=2009-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221124023/http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fully_remove_norton_antivirus_from_my_system.html |archive-date=2009-02-21 |url-status=dead }} Another issue is versions prior to 2009 installed LiveUpdate, which updates Norton-branded software, separately. The user must uninstall both Norton AntiVirus and the LiveUpdate component manually. The LiveUpdate component is purposely left behind to update other Norton-branded products, if present.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/30828/review/norton_internet_security_2008.html |title=PCWorld |publisher=PCWorld |access-date=2009-02-23}} In response, Symantec developed the Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT) to remove leftover registry keys and values along with files and folders.{{cite web |url=http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039 |title=Download and run the Norton Removal Tool |publisher=Symantec Corporation |access-date=2009-02-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223150611/http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039 |archive-date=2009-02-23 }} However, neither route of uninstallation will remove subscription data, preserved to prevent users from installing multiple trial copies.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

SymNRT can only remove these Norton programs:

• Norton AntiSpam 2004 and 2005
• Norton Antivirus 2003 through 2012
• Norton Ghost 2003,9.0,10.0,12.0,1 A.O and 15.0
• Norton GoBack 3.1 through 4.2
• Norton Internet Security 2003 through 2012
• Norton Password Manager
• Norton Personal Firewall 2003 through 2006
• Norton SystemWorks 2003 through 2009
• Norton Confidential Online 2007
• Norton Add-on Pack 1.0 – 4.0
• Norton Save and Restore 1.0 through 2.0
• Norton 360/Security Suite/Business Suite 1.0 – 5.0
• Norton Safety Minder 1.0
• Norton Safe Web 3.2

Once SymNRT has started the removal process, it cannot be stopped. It is recommended to close all running programs prior to running SymNRT. ACT! and WinFax users are recommended to back up their databases before running SymNRT.

Norton AntiVirus 2007 will not install alongside ZoneAlarm. This incompatibility has caused annoyance for Norton customers who purchased Norton AntiVirus 2007 with no prior warning or notice of the incompatibility.{{cite news| url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/askjack/2006/11/norton_av_versus_zone_alarm_ca.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Norton AV versus Zone Alarm – can't you have both? | first=Jack | last=Schofield | date=2006-11-02 | access-date=2010-05-20}} Symantec recommends removing ZoneAlarm, then reinstalling it with its Internet Worm Protection feature disabled, which controls what applications can access the Internet and which protocols they can use to do so.

On March 9, 2009, some users of Norton AntiVirus 2006 and 2007 experienced a firewall warning stating a Norton-associated file, "PIFTS.exe", was trying to connect to the Internet.{{cite news

| last = Beaumont | first = Claudine

| title = Internet conspiracy theories abound over Symantec Pifts.exe file

| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/4969463/Internet-conspiracy-theories-abound-over-Symantec-Pifts.exe-file.html

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090313050133/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/4969463/Internet-conspiracy-theories-abound-over-Symantec-Pifts.exe-file.html

| url-status = dead

| archive-date = 2009-03-13

| access-date = March 10, 2009

| work=The Daily Telegraph

| location=London

| date=2009-03-10

}} Although this file was revealed to be a harmless diagnostic patch, the program gained attention in the media when Symantec removed posts from their forum concerning PIFTS. With no information available about the purpose of the program there was speculation that the program was malware or a backdoor.{{cite news

| last = Krebs | first = Brian

| year = 2009

| title = Users Complain of Mysterious 'PIFTS' Warning

| url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/03/symantec_users_complain_of_mys.html

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090408032047/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/03/symantec_users_complain_of_mys.html

| url-status = dead

| archive-date = April 8, 2009

| newspaper=The Washington Post

| access-date=2010-05-20

}}

The SANS Internet Storm Center claimed to have spoken to a Symantec employee who has confirmed that "the program is theirs, part of the update process and not intended to do harm."{{cite web| last = Frantzen | first = Swa| year = 2009| title = Conspiracy fodder: pifts.exe| url = http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5992}} Graham Cluley, a consultant from antivirus vendor Sophos found PIFTS connected to a Symantec server, forwarding product and computer information.{{cite web| last = Cluley | first = Graham| year = 2009| title = The mystery of Symantec and PIFTS.EXE| url = http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/03/10/mystery-symantec-pifts/}}

On March 10, Symantec made an official response to the PIFTS program, claiming posts in the support forum were deleted due to forum spam rules; however the deletion of PIFTS-related posts began before the spam attacks.{{cite web

|last = Cole

|first = Dave

|year = 2009

|title = Norton product patch "PIFTS.exe" and Norton Users Forum

|url = http://community.norton.com/norton/board/message?board.id=nis_feedback&thread.id=39119

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327063823/http://community.norton.com/norton/board/message?board.id=nis_feedback&thread.id=39119

|archive-date = 2009-03-27

}} Symantec stated PIFTS itself was a diagnostic patch. Cole stated the purpose of the update was to help determine how many customers would need to be migrated to Windows 7-compatible versions of Norton AntiVirus. PIFTS apparently was released without a digital signature to verify its identity, causing firewalls to prompt for permission when it attempted to connect to the Internet.{{cite web | title=Cybercrooks Take Advantage of Symantec PIFTS.EXE Fuss | url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cybercrooks-Take-Advantage-of-Symantec-PIFTS-EXE-Fuss-106532.shtml | work=Lucian Constantin | publisher=Softpedia| date=March 11, 2009 | access-date=2009-05-25}}

Symantec has been criticized by some consumers for perceived ethical violations, including allegations that support technicians would tell customers that their systems were infected and needed a technician to resolve it remotely for an extra fee, then refuse to refund when the customers alleged their systems had not actually been infected.{{cite web|url=http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/norton.html |title=Consumer complaints about Norton |publisher=Consumeraffairs.com |access-date=2010-11-09}}

Norton AntiVirus 11 for Mac introduced support for Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard platform, with the capability to detect both Macintosh and Windows malware. Other features include a vulnerability scanner, which blocks attackers from leveraging software exploits.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/140457/norton_antivirus_11_for_leopard_announced.html |title=Norton AntiVirus 11 for Leopard Announced |access-date=2009-02-28 |publisher=PC World Communications, Inc |date=December 10, 2007 }} Norton AntiVirus 11 also includes the ability to scan within compressed or archived files, such as Time Capsule volumes. Operating requirements call for Mac OS X Tiger.{{cite web |url=http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/fr/nortonmac11.htm |title= Norton Antivirus 11.0 for Mac|access-date=2009-02-24 |publisher= about.com}} A PowerPC or an Intel Core processor, 128 MB of RAM, and 100 MB of free hard disk space are also required. Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac is intended for Macintosh users with Windows running on their systems, using Boot Camp or virtualization software such as VMware Fusion. It provides a license for both Norton AntiVirus 11 with Norton AntiVirus 2009.{{cite web|url=http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnahho/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.84063000/|title=Norton AntiVirus 11 for Mac|access-date=2009-02-24|publisher=Symantec|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406023027/http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnahho/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.84063000|archive-date=2009-04-06|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.symantec.com/norton/macintosh/antivirus-dual-protection |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630104056/http://www.symantec.com/norton/macintosh/antivirus-dual-protection |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2008 |title=Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection for Mac |access-date=2009-02-24 |publisher= Symantec}}

From the 2009 to 2012 editions, Symantec made huge changes to their products' speed and performance. Norton products now have only 2 running processes, using about 24 MB of RAM.{{cite web|url=http://www.passmark.com/ftp/antivirus_12-performance-testing-ed1.pdf |title=2012 Consumer Security Products Performance Benchmarks (Edition 1) |access-date=2012-10-04}} As soon as a virus is recognized, information in regards to the virus (a virus signature) is stored in a pandemic definitions file, which contains the vital know-how to become aware of and get rid of the virus.{{cite web|url=http://www.setnorton.com/ |title=How Norton prevents infections |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609070530/http://www.setnorton.com/ |archive-date=June 9, 2016 }} According to tests sponsored by Symantec, [http://www.passmark.com/ftp/antivirus_12-performance-testing-ed1.pdf PassMark Security Benchmark 2012] Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security are the lightest suites available. Av-comparatives.org also tested these products and gave similar results.{{cite web|url=http://av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/performance/performance_aug_2011.pdf |title=Performance Test Internet Security Suites – July 2011 |access-date=2012-10-04}}

PCMag recognises 2011 and 2012 lines as the fastest and strongest in protection.{{cite news| url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392456,00.asp | work=PC Magazine | first=Neil J. | last=Rubenking | title=Norton Internet Security 2012}}

PCWorld's tests of security software put Norton Internet Security 2009 in the 1st place.{{cite web|last=Larkin |first=Erik |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/158157/top_internet_security_suites_paying_for_protection.html |title=Top Internet Security Suites: Paying for Protection |publisher=PCWorld |date=2009-01-22 |access-date=2012-10-04}}

In 2011, in a test of PCWorld, Norton Internet Security was the winner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/217389/antivirus_2011_digital_defenders.html|title=Antivirus 2011: Digital Defenders|last=Mediati|first=Nick|date=January 2011|website=PC World}} Dennis Technology Labs (in tests sponsored by Symantec) confirms the performance and effectiveness of Norton 2011 and 2012 lines.Dennis Technology Labs (26 January 2011), [http://www.dennistechnologylabs.com/reports/s/a-m/symantec/DTL_PCTP2011_SYMC.pdf PC Total Protection Suites 2011], retrieved 4 October 2012

On 14 August 2013 the Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key addressed what he identified as "misinformation" surrounding the GCSB Amendment Bill, claiming that the actions of the Government Communications Security Bureau were analogous to Norton AntiVirus.{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-defends-the-GCSB-bill/tabid/817/articleID/309018/Default.aspx |title=John Key defends the GCSB bill - Story - Campbell Live - TV Shows - 3 News |access-date=2013-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825102746/http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-defends-the-GCSB-Bill/tabid/817/articleID/309018/Default.aspx |archive-date=2013-08-25 }}

• Internet security
• Comparison of antivirus software
• Comparison of firewalls

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