symantec

Adobe Flash exploit raises concern

Update 11:10 a.m. May 30: Despite earlier reports, version 9.0.124.0 of Adobe Flash Player has no new bugs. For the latest news, click here.

Legitimate Web sites hosting Adobe Flash Player content may be compromised to embed JavaScript that redirects users to a Chinese malware server, says Symantec. Affected versions of Adobe Flash Player include 9.0.124 .0 (latest version) and 9.0.115.0.

Symantec says that under certain conditions embedded JavaScript within the player will redirect users to dota11.cn. In an alert on Tuesday, Symantec said specific details about the vulnerability … Read more

Symantec's Norton user forum in beta

After year's of prodding from pesky security software reviewers like myself, Symantec has finally created a user forum for its Norton products. Although still officially in beta, the forum is has been operating in-house for a few months and thus has been generating some useful how-to information.

Moderator Dave Cole sums up the project in a welcome note:

We've been working on re-launching our product forums for several months now and are happy to finally officially open the door on the beta. We kicked off this project with the intent of creating a place where Norton customers, employees … Read more

Symantec to buy AppStream

Symantec is acquiring AppStream, a maker of application streaming technology.

Symantec already uses AppStream's technology in its Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) Pro. Using application streaming enables end users to perform functions by accessing parts of a software program over the network as needed, without having the program fully installed on the client computer.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close by the end of June, Symantec says.

(Credit: Symantec)

Mac security not so much about the Mac

SAN FRANCISCO--Politicians like to joke that Social Security reform is considered the "third rail" of politics. In Apple's world, that rail belongs to security.

It's been a while since we examined the "state of Mac security," and with this week's RSA Conference in San Francisco, and last month's CanSecWest conference fresh in everyone's mind, it seemed like a decent time.

The topic is always a heated one, and it tends to bring out the usual Mac vs. PC bashing. But according to people I talked to this week here at RSA, … Read more

Symantec CEO talks ID management, the future

Predicting the future for technology and business is never easy, yet Symantec CEO John Thompson ventured into that Tuesday morning in his keynote speech at RSA 2008.

On the future, Thompson predicted three things: that malicious software will outnumber legitimate software, increasing the need for so-called white listing; that identity management will grow beyond the enterprise and start to include every customer in the world; and digital rights management will be become a reality for all content, not just music and video.

He said businesses need to start thinking about these things now. "I believe this starts with a … Read more

Symantec's revenge

I walked away from Symantec a long time ago. I no longer want any of their software on my computer or those of my clients. It's a long story.

A few months ago, I set up a new X series Thinkpad for a client and one of the first things I did was remove the pre-installed trial version of Norton Antivirus. I thought I was done with Symantec on that machine, but no.

After a couple months, the computer owner experienced a problem with a Symantec DLL that prevented them from running an important application. Yes, a Symantec DLL, … Read more

Intego questions Symantec's use of name

In a statement issued Tuesday, Macintosh security company Intego accused Symantec of infringing on its copyright. At issue is the new box copy for Norton Antivirus for Macintosh. In the upper right corner, Symantec has prominently placed the words "Dual Protection," a reference to the product's use on both the Mac OS X and Windows operating systems when using Apple Boot Camp.

The Austin, Texas-based Intego said in a press release, "Intego is the owner of a trademark registration for the mark DP DUAL PROTECTION in France (registered on January 17, 2007) and an international trademark … Read more

Encryption specialists: To buy or not to buy?

A few weeks ago there were two interesting announcements involving encryption technologies. First, SafeNet acquired application and database encryption leader Ingrian while Symantec announced that it will partner with GuardianEdge to provide Full Disk Encryption (FDE) for PC security.

Why did SafeNet buy Ingrian rather than simply partner? Because SafeNet has made its mark selling security widgets not security solutions. This business model holds less appeal when large organizations fold security into their global governance, risk management, and compliance requirements. With Ingrian in hand, SafeNet can compete on these kind of enterprise deals and become a more strategic vendor to … Read more

There could be malware lurking inside that Clinton 'video' link

Update 11:45 a.m. PST: This blog incorrectly described part of what the link downloads. It downloads a Trojan horse. The link does not take viewers to a video.

Moving beyond Valentine's Day as a social-engineering theme, online criminals have started sending out e-mail with a supposed link to a recent interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton. Instead of a video, the link downloads a Trojan horse onto the viewer's computer. Security experts predict 2008 presidential election e-mails and phishing sites will continue throughout the year.

On Thursday in Symantec blog, researcher Kelly Conley writes that the e-mail … Read more