Norton Toolbar / Norton Identity Safe

[techman_hou]

After the last update to NIS (early 2012) I noticed the drop down list no longer had a complete list of log-ins and folders, but only the most recently accessed list of 16 log-ins. I have twenty unfoldered logins, ten folders with a total of around two-hundred log-ins, some folders with thirty or so logins. When I select "all logins" menu, I get a list of seven folders and a "more" menu selection. When I select the "more" menu selection I am taken directly to the edit logins screen.

I liked the idea of using NIS since many web site now wish to have us log-in to access content. That being said limiting the quick link access to only sixteen of the most recent login links that resort after every use does not work for me. Then further limiting the list of log-ins to seven folders (I can only see seven folders that I set up, I'm not sure if I had zero folders if it would list seven login links). without additional folder levels available, and forcing us, by selecting "more,"  to enter the edit login screen to launch a secure login. This does not seem like a very secure way of accessing those less frequently accessed login pages. Several times I hovered over one of the edit screen fields the curser 'attached itself' to that field creating a situation where I could have inadvertently modified the log-in password or link. Granted if I inadvertently modify a login link in the "edit logins" screen, NIS does allow a pop up to confirm or cancel.

The major issues I have with the latest version of NIS are:

1. The limitations of the favorites list to sixteen links, sorted as last accessed. Last accessed sorting is not always the case though, as I know a link or two somehow does not get bumped off the list, but hovers around the last spot or two, when a seventeenth log-in is accessed.

-- Allow more login links and folders.

-- Allowing users to set a preference of how this is displayed; of last accessed, most frequently accessed, or back to the old way of folders and an alphabetical list of log-in links not in folders with folders at bottom of the list.

2. The limitation of seven folders when selecting "All Logins."

-- List the logins not contained in folders.

-- Allow more folders and or links before having to access "more" and being taken to "edit logins" screen.

3. When selecting "more," users are taken directly to "edit logins" screen.

-- This should evoke a longer (pop-out) list of logins and folders, not take us to the core edit screen.

4. Folders have no sub-levels

-- I like the idea of folders, and even would like sub-level folders...For instance I could create a folder called finances with sub folders called bills, banking, and stock market etc...

5. General glitches

-- Sometimes the logins list does not present as complete. I know I have some logins that do not display in the NIS primary drop down list, even though they are accessible in the "Edit Logins" screen. This happens even though I access the login through "Edit Logins," I login to the desired site, and then access the NIS primary drop down after doing so to select another login link.

-- Icons for the logins disappear or do not load. This makes it hard to quickly distinguish the login desired.

-- Icons for logins when selecting a login contained within the folders of "All Logins" pop out menu are not loading consistently. The first listed folder loaded the icons today in IE 9.0.7, but not the subsequent folders. Not sure in FF 13.0.1. since NIS is not working with it (again).

-- Some logins seem to stop loading upon accessing login screen of desired site. Various reasons, most likely due to the web site changing log in screens or migrating to a pop-up log in screen with third party (like Java or Adobe Flash) scripting. This also seems to be more prevalent after doing a "Clean up your PC" or "File Cleanup."

I have submitted several dozen requests through the NIS "Report Issue" link for various reasons listed above and understand that individual web site login issues can be resolved only if submitted this way.

[dickevans Super RootKit Eradicator]

Hi,

It appears that you have done your homework and submitted your suggestions correctly. I don't know how complex the solutions might be or if the team will do more than put some on a 'maybe next version' list. I'm sure that there are others who have similar complaints. I'm also sure that they will add their comments to yours so that the team can get a feel for which features are more desired by the users than others.

Thanks

[techman_hou]

Thanks Dick. Hopefully they will figure some of this out.

I should add that I am using (not necessarily as my preference, but it's what I have) MS Vista Home Premium SP2. The issues present themselves, as best as I can determine, whether I use IE 9.0 or FF 13.0  (have not tried NIS with Chrome or other browsers).

One more thing NIS did not save the log in that I created to this message forum earlier today. This is not the first time a new login was not saved or appear on the list of logins on the edit logins screen. Pretty disappointing.

[techman_hou]

One more annoyance in NIS...

When in the "Edit Logins" screen, and I hover over a login to select, a descriptive hover pop-up, that shows the complete login name, displays directly on top of the text of the login frame. This makes deleting, editing, selecting or moving a login (to another folder) a real pain, as you have to quickly right click before the pop-up displays. Not such a big problem with short length names (of course the names are usually default to the links, which an be rather long), but the pop-up descriptor covers the area of the 'right clickable' frame that allows us to enter into the delete and move to folder, as well as obstructs us from clicking on the desired selection to bring up the details screen.

I have a screen shot of an example of the pop-up covering the second entry. In the screen shot, the pop-up is over the second entry for the Norton Community login selection, in my NIS NORTON folder. As you can see the whole second entry, and it's 'right clickable' real estate is covered up.

[techman_hou]

Here are some screen shots of missing logins when selecting "All Logins" from the NIS primary drop down and hovering over a folder. I blocked out a portion of the screen shot for security reasons. The NIS primary drop down with the most recent activity now displays usernames (Not such a great idea when people can pass by me at a WiFi cafe, peek over my shoulder, and obtain my username which is half the battle in code cracking a login). I understand the logins displayed are the exact login used. This would seem helpful, especially when you have several logins for the same site, which is not uncommon. Seems like a good idea until you consider the previous scenario.

--A hover over to display the specific username used for the login page would be slightly more secure.

The first screen shot shows just two links in the folder. The second screen shot shows there are more than two links in the same folder.

[Edjr60 Super Phishing Phryer]

Hi techman_hou,

You can shorten the names by clicking in the 'Name' field on the right side beneath 'Details'. I think you might be keeping the full url that is captured. Shorten the names you need to and there shouldn't be anymore pop ups from where you describe.

I automatically shorten all my names or change them as soon as a new login is captured.

I forgot to quote, but this addresses the post you made at 8:05 PM tonight.

Ed

[Edjr60 Super Phishing Phryer]

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techman_hou wrote:

One more annoyance in NIS...

When in the "Edit Logins" screen, and I hover over a login to select, a descriptive hover pop-up, that shows the complete login name, displays directly on top of the text of the login frame. This makes deleting, editing, selecting or moving a login (to another folder) a real pain, as you have to quickly right click before the pop-up displays. Not such a big problem with short length names (of course the names are usually default to the links, which an be rather long), but the pop-up descriptor covers the area of the 'right clickable' frame that allows us to enter into the delete and move to folder, as well as obstructs us from clicking on the desired selection to bring up the details screen.

I have a screen shot of an example of the pop-up covering the second entry. In the screen shot, the pop-up is over the second entry for the Norton Community login selection, in my NIS NORTON folder. As you can see the whole second entry, and it's 'right clickable' real estate is covered up.

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Hi techman_hou,

Now that your screenshots have been approved, I can address the problem you're having with the Edit Logins. I see you have all of your folder names short and to the point. You should do the same with all of the logins also. With the amount of logins you say you have, it may take awhile. It will be worth it though. We'll take for example the pop up that is displayed in your screenshot. I take it that's for Norton Community. Simply rename it Norton Community, not the folder, just the login. Do the same with all the other logins in your folders if they are too long. That will cure the problem of little pop ups in your login area covering space you need to see.

To rename, click on a folder to open, then click whichever login needs to be shortened. That will open the Details section to the right. Click in the Name field and enter your shortened new login name. I haven't done mine for awhile, but I think you will be prompted to save your changes.

This will have a positive affect when you click Identity Safe on the browser. You will notice the 'width' of the MRU list will be reduced. Also when creating a new login at a new website, you can change the login name right away in the box that appears from capturing the new login details. This way the new login name will already be done. You can always make any adjustments as you go along.

Hope this helps some.

Ed

[techman_hou]

Ed,

You proposed solution I had already considered. One of the challenges is that the "Name" field defaults to the web address, URL or a URL plus a tag when first creating a new log in. I see the "name" field is available, abiet it is defaulted to the web address or URL, when the save drop down bar appears, and will shorten the name for the logins from now on.

The more daunting task is renaming the some two-hundred plus user logins that I already have. The daunting part of this is playing 'left-click', right-click' quick enough to access the "details" screen in "Edit Logins."  I should note that this pop up was added in the last upgrade. To that note, the hovering popup contains the same exact text details as the field it is reporting from. Seems redundant, but a good idea if the width of the MRU list field is narrower than the length of the name itself. So, I must ask, to what benefit is it to have such a hovering pop up if the solution to being able to access the underlying menu is to shorten the name so that it does not completely cover the field itself?

This brings me to this question:

Would it not be a better solution to modify the code to direct the hovering pop-up above, below, left, or right of the referenced field, instead of dead centered on it? I ask this not so much for me, but for some of those who are not so technically knowledgeable to figure out how to play the 'left-click', right-click' game.

[Edjr60 Super Phishing Phryer]

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techman_hou wrote:

Ed,

You proposed solution I had already considered. One of the challenges is that the "Name" field defaults to the web address, URL or a URL plus a tag when first creating a new log in. I see the "name" field is available, abiet it is defaulted to the web address or URL, when the save drop down bar appears, and will shorten the name for the logins from now on.

The more daunting task is renaming the some two-hundred plus user logins that I already have. The daunting part of this is playing 'left-click', right-click' quick enough to access the "details" screen in "Edit Logins."  I should note that this pop up was added in the last upgrade. To that note, the hovering popup contains the same exact text details as the field it is reporting from. Seems redundant, but a good idea if the width of the MRU list field is narrower than the length of the name itself. So, I must ask, to what benefit is it to have such a hovering pop up if the solution to being able to access the underlying menu is to shorten the name so that it does not completely cover the field itself?

This brings me to this question:

Would it not be a better solution to modify the code to direct the hovering pop-up above, below, left, or right of the referenced field, instead of dead centered on it? I ask this not so much for me, but for some of those who are not so technically knowledgeable to figure out how to play the 'left-click', right-click' game.

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Hi techman_hou,

I reproduced one of my logins to what is happening to you. I clicked on one of my standard logins for paying bills, which is just a one word name. That opened it up in the details section to the right. In the name field, I removed the login name and typed in on purpose something very long. Mary had a little lamb, it's fleece was white as snow, etc. etc. Just so there was something long in the name field. I saved the changes, which put the new temporary long login name where the other one use to be. I moused over it and got the pop up because the name is too long to fit in the login field.

Yet I was still able to click through it, regardless of the pop up that displayed. I went back in to the details section and put the original name back, then saved the changes.

I agree it's a big task renaming 200 plus logins. If you give your new logins a shorter name after clicking Save at websites where you are creating new logins, that helps. That's what I always do.

I don't work for Symantec, so I wouldn't know about modifying the code so this doesn't happen.

Ed

[techman_hou]

Ed,

I appreciate your input. The popups blocking a click through could be an issue that is specific to my OS version or computer configuration somehow (I doubt it, but it is remotely plausible). I'm actually more upset about NIS not working with FF 13.0 now, I don't relish having to spend an few hours installing and reinstalling software, hoping it will fix an issue that should have never happened if Norton and FF communicated better..

Most of the other stuff is annoying because it is short sighted coding practices...kind of a B. Gates mentality, "It doesn't have to be perfect, as long as most of it works." Before the last upgrade or newest version of NIS came out, I don't recall having these same complaints.

Each renaming takes me about a 30 seconds, most of the time is spent trying to click through the popup. That almost two hours to rename the 200 or so logins