Symantec accused of using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Summary: Anti-virus maker Symantec is charged in a lawsuit with misleading users into purchasing full versions of its software by peddling 'scareware' tactics.
Security firm Symantec is being taken to court over claims that the company's flagship anti-malware and performance software suites mislead consumers into buying full versions of its products.
The suit, which seeks class action status, was brought by Washington state resident James Gross. It was filed in the District Court of San Jose, California on Tuesday on behalf of his lawyers, according to Reuters.
The complaint alleges that misleading 'scare' tactics are being used by Symantec in its Norton Utilities, PC Tools Registry Mechanic, and PC Tools Performance Toolkit products. The claims also suggest the software range always report harmful errors, privacy risks and other issues that exist, regardless of whether they actually exist.
Many 'scareware' tactics used by online scammers intercept websites and display within the browser a simulation of an anti-virus scan, that invariably tells the user that the PC they are using is infected.
"The software is falsely informing the consumer that errors are high priority and in addition it is falsely informing the consumer that their overall system health and privacy health is low", the complaint stated.
"The truth, however, is that the scareware does not actually perform any meaningful evaluation of the user's computer system, or of the supposed 'errors' detected by the software".
One analyst said that the claims would be difficult to prove. Andy Kellett, senior analyst at Ovum, said speaking to The Inquirer: "It's a tricky one as there are lots of unknowns, how do you prove Symantec is in the wrong?", adding: "It's not something that has been done before".
The news comes only a week after Symantec confirmed an Indian hacker group hacked a "third-party" and acquired source code relating to an enterprise anti-virus solution the company once offered.
While the lawsuit will likely go Symantec's way, it is nevertheless been a bad month for the security firm.
A Symantec spokesperson said it was "aware" of the allegations made, but declined to offer additional comment at the time of publication.
Image source: Flickr.
Related:
- Symantec confirms hacker theft of Norton anti-virus source code
- India IT: Have RIM, Nokia & Apple provided Indian Military with backdoor access to cellular comm?
- CNET: That stolen Symantec source code? It's for older enterprise products
- Anonymous claims DNS attacks against Symantec, Apple, Microsoft
- Symantec fixes Norton update that blocked Facebook
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Talkback
Why is scareware so sucessful to start with?
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Yes they have. Good for this person - hope he prevails. I am all for free enterprise, but being a sophisticated PC user and hearing others buying Norton or McAfee because they were told to by their computer 'or else' infuriates me. The buyers cannot hope to make an educated decision because the very nature of software is supposed to prevent the very scam they are perpetrating. Another good piece of news today!
My friend Loverock Davidson the CEO of exploits at Symantec assured me
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Yep!
How do you know that any of those companies hire criminals to write malware just to sell their product?
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Fear is a Best tactic to control Americans all these years. We cannot living in fear forever. These crooks are more cunning because nobody is willing to stand up on them.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
I gave up using paid for security software years ago but even when I did they always told me that my computer was at risk because I didn't use their brand of firewall or other parts of their suite. I always had to laugh because as an IT professional I take the security of my personal computers and the computers/servers I manage and support at work very seriously. I know I need security software/hardware to protect myself but not one that hounds me and gives me false information just to scare money out of my wallet.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Hounds you? How is warning you about something on a website (which you can then report to the website owner) that is bad 'hounding you'? Sheer insanity and stupidity here.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
First of all the name calling is not necessary, but I am sure if you talk to anyone that uses those suites they are constantly popping up with alerts and information about products/features that can be added or alerting you of every little change. They may UAC look mild. Many of the things that get notified are not warnings of anything security related and not necessary. There are other security softwares that do what the need to do and protect just as well without having a notification center that hops on your screen like a monkey on crack.
So instead of covering up your lack of knowledge and understanding or insecurity by calling someone else stupid maybe you need to get a clue.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Uh, bobiroc.... I USE THAT SUITE! I see MAYBE one alert a day for something like this and it's usually an alert that I wish to see, because somebody is trying to get into my PC illegitimately or there is something 'bad' on a webpage that I immediately inform the website owner about.
Norton is doing the right thing here. It is just sheer insanity and stupidity (it's not name-calling, it's what I really think about anyone who uses the argument that you used) to say that you SHOULDN'T be alerted for things like this.
RE: I USE THAT SUITE!
Well good for you... I tend to think only stupid people pay for their security software when there are so many free ones out there that protect just as well if not better in some cases. Unless you run a business not eligible for a Free suite of utilities then you are wasting money. I prefer to use a good hardware or dedicated firewall that blocks these things and logs attempts without the notification interrupting my work. I have not used the suites myself in a long time but have clients that do and they almost always say something is not secure enough and that they should buy something extra from that company's set of tools. I have worked on several systems that behind my very strong firewall and with tight security implemented saying that they need something more. Alerts are nice but only if they are actually relevant and do not interfere with the computer operation and piss off the users. There are softwares that can offer excellent protection and do their job without being a nag.
Have a Good Day!
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Did you even read the article or the discussions?
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Kapersky does a pretty good job of just sitting in the background and not annoying the user.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
But, I think I'll stick with Malwarebytes, PeerBlock and SpyBot. I've been spotless for 4 years now.
Then again, I also pay close attention to websites I view, e-mails I read, and files I download. The very few infections I've download the past four years Malwarebytes and SpyBot have picked up. Also, Chrome deletes all data (though synced) when closed.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
It's about time Symantec is cut down to size. They, like Kaspersky, are run-of-the-mill security programs, leaves registry entries, after an uninstall, that cannot be removed & Scott Cooper of Kaspersky plays games when requesting removal instructions... run away from these companies and their inferior products.
RE: Symantec accused in using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products