This forum thread needs a solution.
Kudos3 Stats

Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 24-Dec-2021 | 7:41AM · 42 Replies ·

Multiple issues after installing the built in Miner.

I can no longer use Grammly, if there is a spelling mistake i can no longer click the correct word.

Fortnite Crashes

Paused the Miner and it crashed my PC and caused a blue screen

When I get disconnected from the internet while the miner is running I get spammed with the attached error which won't go away, have to restart pc for it to stop popping up.

File Attachment: 
Image icon Capture.png
Labels: Miner

Replies

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 27-Dec-2021 | 11:16AM · Edited: 27-Dec-2021 | 11:23AM · Permalink

Hello jasvxr. You screenshot shows that NCrypt.exe which is the executable for Crypto referenced a memory instruction that was either not present in memory or was invalid. What does your Norton history tell you about the event? Find the entry and click "more option" in the small area located in the details dialog. Please make a screenshot of it and post here for review. The memory codes in your screenshot suggest there is either a BIOS issue, motherboard memory is being overclocked or a driver issue with your GPU. There are codes there that will help tell us what the issue was causing the error message you saw. Here is how to post images into you posts.

https://community.norton.com/en/forums/how-post-image-forums-0

SA

MS Certified Professional / Windows 11 Home 22H2 x 64 build 22621.1265 - Windows 10 Pro x 64 version 22H2 / build 19045.2728 / Norton Security Ultra - Norton 360 Deluxe ver. 22.23.1.21 / Opera GX LVL4 (core: 96.0.4693.104) 64 bit-Early Access w/Norton Chrome Extensions
Kudos4 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 28-Dec-2021 | 7:06AM · Permalink

How on Earth could anyone at Norton think that adding crypto mining within a security product would be a good thing? Norton should be DETECTING and killing off crypto mining hijacking, not installing their own. The product people need firing.

What's the next "bright idea"? Norton Botnet? "Hey guys, join up and profit from the pool of our botnets!"

And I was just about to re-install Norton 360 too, but this has literally has caused me to no longer trust Norton and their direction.

Kudos4 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 28-Dec-2021 | 10:05AM · Permalink

@cavehomme1, many people are using our miner very successfully to their benefit and a minimal benefit to us. You can choose not to run our miner as that is up to you. We do detect and kill off crypto-mining hijacking still even with our miner running. One of the benefits is that we know what our miner is doing, so it is trusted, whereas others we do not.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 30-Dec-2021 | 4:34AM · Edited: 30-Dec-2021 | 4:34AM · Permalink

Hello

This only seemed to of happened when i Disabled my internet connection with it running, it has been somewhat running OK, apart from a whole PC crash when I paused it also. So it seems fairly buggy at the moment and not great as i'm using a brand new PC. How would I go uninstalling if i need to uninstall it?

How do i go about getting to the history to view this?

cheers

Jason

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 30-Dec-2021 | 6:28AM · Permalink

if you disable the internet connection, it's not surprising that something odd may happen to the miner, as it needs that connection to get work actually to mine properly

as for bugs, if you have a reproducible case you can describe with specifics, we will have someone look into it

To uninstall, you would uninstall Norton 360, but I suspect your question is, how do I uninstall the miner? You can't; it's just a feature, like backup, VPN, parental control; if you don't want to use it, then don't, can pause/stop indefinitely

finally, for the history, you would go to the security history page; the most straightforward way to get there is to click the magnifying search icon on the main dashboard and type "history."

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 30-Dec-2021 | 3:02PM · Edited: 30-Dec-2021 | 3:03PM · Permalink

Longtime user. Cryptomining added with no notice is creepy. OP is not far off. Normal reaction to this being dropped like it did without notice. Last thing I want my AV program to do.

Anyone: who is the current owner of Norton? Where are owners and investors located? Just asking since it is not clear after a few searches. 

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 30-Dec-2021 | 7:21PM · Permalink

As with any feature in any product you have the choice to use or not. It is not on be default. Just like vpn, backup and others.
Kudos4 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 30-Dec-2021 | 9:20PM · Permalink

Yes, this has already been stated. My comments stand, about how it was implemented without notice.

Also still interested in the questions I asked about who owns Norton, if anyone else is interested.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 3:43AM · Edited: 31-Dec-2021 | 3:46AM · Permalink

Publicly traded NASDAQ NOLK

NortonLifeLock - Wikipedia

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 5:44AM · Permalink

Thank you. Thought I made it clear I had made the typical searches, including Wikipedia, most trusted of online sources.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 8:16AM · Permalink

Norton Mining,
Are you freaking serious? Are you that desperate for cash Norton? I saw the mining check. Is it opted in by default?

File Attachment: 
PDF icon mine.pdf
Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 8:23AM · Edited: 31-Dec-2021 | 8:23AM · Permalink

This was the last action I could find, 
"Accenture plc is an Ireland based multinational professional services company that specialises in information technology services and consulting. A Fortune Global 500 company, it reported revenues of $50.53 billion in 2021. Wikipedia

Stock price: ACN (NYSE) $414.40 +0.57 (+0.14%)
Dec 31, 10:50 AM EST - Disclaimer

CEO: Julie Sweet (Sep 1, 2019–)

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Customer service: 1 (877) 889-9009

Revenue: 50.53 billion USD (2021)

Number of employees: 674,000 (2021)

Founder: Clarence DeLany"


https://accntu.re/3FLf1P1 -in case link breaks
https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/accenture-completes-acquisition-of-b...'s%20Symantec%20Cyber%20Security%20Services%20Business,-content&text=NEW%20YORK%3B%20April%2030%2C%202020,(NASDAQ%3A%20AVGO).

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 8:52AM · Permalink

Thank you for that. Happy New year; we deserve it.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 31-Dec-2021 | 8:55AM · Permalink

frugalfreak:

Norton Mining,
Are you freaking serious? Are you that desperate for cash Norton? I saw the mining check. Is it opted in by default?

 As already noted above, the

Crypto mining feature is off by default.   https://community.norton.com/en/comment/8519006#comment-8519006

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 05-Jan-2022 | 8:34AM · Permalink

You're missing the point. What on Earth does offering a crypto mining product have to do with providing users with security? Zero. Your marketing / product people have totally lost the plot, because this will significantly impact your credibility with security professionals and keen amateurs.

It's your choice to diversify, it's my choice to no longer respect Norton as a serious security company.

What's next in the revenue push, Norton Botnet ? Norton Ransomware ? Hey, why not diversify out of computing altogether and start McNorton burgers ?

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 05-Jan-2022 | 11:17AM · Permalink

@Cavehomme1 For the sake of "non-argumentative" dialog, its been made abundantly clear that the "OPT-IN" for the Crypto "feature" in the current Norton products is 100% by the user. As are several other features. Adequate documentation was also given to that effect across the forums. Conversely, it is also agreed in many posts throughout the forums, that marketing, and feature heavy user interface issues are driving customers into finding other solutions. In many aspects that has also fallen on deaf ears. So what can we, the customer do to prevent that from happening? Nothing!! I give you a very applicable example of a corporation forcing its customers to bend their way. The company is Microsoft, the OS, is Windows11. More specific to the current day is Windows 11. Forced opening of links, system wide, in any browser OTHER THAN EDGE, is blocked. That sir is called forcing market share. Forcing customers with hardware that will run Windows 11 and run it into the wall, but blocking certain hardware IE: CPU's, is also forced market share. All companies do it in one manner or another, some abuse it more than others. In this instance with Crypto, there IS a large difference. User interaction IS REQUIRED. In closing, that should sum the issue into a final statement as such. Remove your Norton product, reboot then reinstall it. Don't, opt-in to the Crypto feature sir. Your product will perform as it was advertised to do so when you purchased it. Just a thought, one customer to another.

SA

MS Certified Professional / Windows 11 Home 22H2 x 64 build 22621.1265 - Windows 10 Pro x 64 version 22H2 / build 19045.2728 / Norton Security Ultra - Norton 360 Deluxe ver. 22.23.1.21 / Opera GX LVL4 (core: 96.0.4693.104) 64 bit-Early Access w/Norton Chrome Extensions
Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 06-Jan-2022 | 4:36PM · Permalink

Just food for though, not advocating either way here.  When I first ran across the 'Opt-in' for mining I was leery of it, knew nothing really of cyrytocoin or mining.  Like some of these posts imply, I figured crypto mining was some kind of overseas hacking to steal electronic $$ transactions thus used only for stealing and money laundering.  Since Norton had added it, there had to be more to it so I did some research and found that crypto coins are overall legitimate, although very volatile. When big money companies and financial institutions are getting into it, hmmm, something to it maybe.  Now, are hackers stealing it or is it being used to launder money? YES!  That is nothing new, been going on with so-called legitimate money for years.  Based what I've read, Norton decided to get into this, for profit yes I'm sure, but also not to destabilize the security, but to help it out on our end.  As I understand, many people were turning off firewalls to mine with mining apps that were questionable at best.  Not the smartest move but people will do dumb things for possible payouts.  How many people buy lotto out there?  That is just under a 100% chance of losing money but its still done.  Point is, Norton set up a more secure way for people to mine, if they so choose.  Its not perfect but, what is?

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 9:34AM · Edited: 07-Jan-2022 | 9:36AM · Permalink

Interesting article referred for your inspection:

New version of Norton 360 installs a crypto miner on your PC by default

One thing hard for all of us to get our arms around no matter our station if life? The B* word. Just saying. Mind you they have all of my personal information at the moment so I'm no neutral observer.

* bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l  (phonetic, for emphasis)

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 4:10PM · Permalink

rocky01:

Interesting article referred for your inspection:

New version of Norton 360 installs a crypto miner on your PC by default

One thing hard for all of us to get our arms around no matter our station if life? The B* word. Just saying. Mind you they have all of my personal information at the moment so I'm no neutral observer.

* bi-ˈtrā(-ə)l  (phonetic, for emphasis)

The first paragraph in that article is totally false.

 Ever since last year they've been experimenting with a crypto miner, which now is getting enabled by default. 

The feature is installed as part of the 360 product but it is NOT enabled until the user turns the feature on if their system supports the feature.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 5:06PM · Edited: 07-Jan-2022 | 5:06PM · Permalink

From point of a user this might be a distinction without a difference since it's installed without notice and only now has it come to light the tactics needed to remove it root and branch. Understand the default position to deem its presence not nefarious. Not willing here though to deem this introduction as merely clumsy. People have a right to be alarmed.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 6:25PM · Permalink

I wish I could find the reference in the terms and conditions for the Norton products where they say they have the right to add or delete features/functions at any time in the product's life cycle.  Maybe someone with better searching ability can find this for me. This addition of the Crypto function is no different from when they added the VPN function, or removed the registry tool function. In all cases, there is nothing forcing the user to use these functions. The worst that is happening is that you have a few more or less MB of storage for the added/deleted function. There is no need to "remove it root and branch". 

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 6:39PM · Permalink

Feel free to come your own conclusions, eh?

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 07-Jan-2022 | 11:12PM · Permalink

I am blown away by all that I have read here.  I discovered that I too have been subjected to this "dup" (definitely unwanted program) and I am very upset.  I bought a security program, not a crypto-mining program.  For Norton to install this without my knowledge and consent was the final straw for me.  When my subscription is over, I will be taking my business elsewhere.  I have been using Norton since 1991 and have seen a lot of changes and put up with a lot of BS.  For them to install this garbage on my pc was completely unethical.  For them to try to make (more) money off me is completely greedy.  In fact, it is having the opposite effect - they are losing my business.  Personally, I think that they need to be reported to the FTC about this.  Sadly Norton has lost their credibility with me.  

Kudos3 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 5:38AM · Permalink

i wonder how many times I have to write that this is an OPT-IN feature. @JONin92656, this is why can't beleive everything you read. There are things that have been written that are just not fact unfortunately.

This article while shares opinions that I don't agree with at least has the facts correct:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/7/22869528/norton-crypto-miner-security-...

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 8:34AM · Permalink

100% It is an opt-in feature! I feel the miner feature is great and well thought out. #1 There a lot of people who have good hardware and not using it to the max. #2 There are people who wants to mine and are always turning off Norton to do so, which open them to attack. On the Verge article... I think it is more click bait. #1 Clearly Norton ask to opt-in to enable it. #2 If the person has their PC turned on already doing some word processing or spreadsheet then they can use their system idle resources to get some money back. #3 Norton Miner is clearly a common Joe/Jane tool, not a miner tool. It allows them to contribute to the future. If something, I would like Norton to be free if they are taking 15% of the cut.
Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 12:21PM · Permalink

Yes indeed. And I wonder else what Norton may have been doing without our knowledge or explicit acceptance.

I've got no problem if Norton were to have a subsidiary company which develops non-security software and they develop the mining product, advertise it and make it available for people to explicitly choose to download it, install and use it. But adding such a program / code within a security product is beyond the pale. They've lost all credibility and trust as far as I am concerned.

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 12:24PM · Permalink

Peter,

You surely know the difference between making a VPN available, to enhance security, and building crypto-mining into security software. It's a financial / gambling product, zero to do with security.

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 12:44PM · Edited: 08-Jan-2022 | 12:46PM · Permalink

No Matt_Boucher, it's not an opt-in choice to have this software installed on the PC, it's part of the suite. It's an opt-in only to activate it. The mining code is still sitting there regardless.

my colleague Sean Hollister installed a copy of Norton 360 for himself and did indeed find that the mining app NCrypt.exe was included in the program’s directory.

As far as I am concerned it's a PUP, even potential malware - it may have exploits and may be hackable and used against the user. If offered as a product, it should be a totally separate program and only downloaded by an explicit choice by the user.

If a security company doesn't understand such a fundamental issue, they don't deserve to be considered as a security company in my opinion.

Crypto mining is considered gambling by most people. Or do you consider it trading? Whatever,  I hope your lawyers did their research on this and got the relevant permissions to market and supply such a category of product - and not just in the US but worldwide. I guess that some strict religious country governments could be quite upset when they discover what's been provided to their citizens by Norton. And I wonder how many kids are gambling / trading using this software?

That could all be a potential liability for Norton. Good luck.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 1:12PM · Permalink

500M Avira Antivirus Users Introduced to Cryptomining - January 8, 2022
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/01/500m-avira-antivirus-users-introduced-to-cryptomining/

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 08-Jan-2022 | 2:45PM · Permalink

Just an FYI, not to persuade anyone in any way.  I could really care less since I have no financial stake in the game, I'm just a Norton customer too.  I do agree that the crypto miner should probably be a standalone product or at the least when the 'Opt-in' is there, only upon an opt-in will the app be downloadable.  Also reasonable points on potential security concerns, any software has that issue as we all know.  The Norton app is very limited, so some of the people's concerns are overblown.  All that can be done in the mining app is to turn it on/off (or pause it), view your Norton wallet of ETH mined, and to transfer it to a Coinbase account.  There is no way to do any trading or gambling in the app, of any sort.  To transfer any mined ETH coin you have to have an existing Coinbase account which is totally separate entity from Norton miner. From the Coinbase account you can buy and trade many types of crytpo coins; not from the Norton app.  If you think crypto mining is solely a hacker tool like I did before researching, look it up. It is correct though that crypto coins and mining are a gamble; just like day trading on the stock markets, or playing in a casino.  By all means, anyone correct me on anything above, its only my limited understanding of crypto coin/mining as a whole.

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 12:16AM · Edited: 09-Jan-2022 | 12:17AM · Permalink

I was shocked to find that Norton has now decided to include "Norton Crypto" as part of the Norton 360 product suite. I have been a Norton customer for decades! I have come to trust Norton. However, this single action has cast considerable doubt on my trust of Norton! I feel betrayed that Norton would include any blockchain currency (so-called "cryptocurrency") system as part of a security suite. Offer it as a separate product but not as part of a security anti-virus/firewall product. I can see including cloud backup, so-called "dark-web" monitoring, and most of the other things on offer with Norton 360. But, a "crypto-miner?" No! That's not okay! I can see that NCrypt.exe is installed on my computer, and no I have not opted-in. It should not even be installed on my computer without my express consent! Please, don't give me the b.s. line about well it won't do anything unless you opt-in. Again, it should not even be installed with out my express consent!!! PeterWeb, whoever you are (guru & mobile master), you seem to just not get it. Your condescending and arrogant position that we're too stupid to understand and it's all okay, just choose not to opt-in, misses the point. Norton should not be installing such a product without the express consent of paying customers!!! For me to even take the time to make these comments ought to tell you something. Again, I'm a longtime Norton customer. I'm also well educated in computing and cyber-security, I do know a thing or two (or more) about all the variations and ramifications that this entails. I've been at this a long time, likely before you were even born. (True if you were born after 1980.) I thought I could trust Norton. I am now re-thinking that trust. If Norton is making lousy decisions like this then what other poor decisions are they making with their security related products? I know that Norton and Symantec are somewhat connected and yet not the same. I don't know the inner-workings and details of how Symantec, Norton and LifeLock all fit together. I can say that the Symantec brand is well respected, hell Symantec security folks did major leg-work on unraveling Stuxnet. That's a major accomplishment and brings major credibility to the game. The simple fact that Norton has chosen to go this route with Norton Crypto drags down the good name of Norton, and to the extent they are connected it also drags down Symantec and LifeLock.
Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 5:51AM · Permalink

FWIW ~  

https://www.nortonlifelock.com/us/en/legal/repository/ 

File Attachment: 
PDF icon norton-crypto-supplement-en.pdf
Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 6:01AM · Permalink

Thanks for sharing BJM.

They confirm that -

"Running the Norton Crypto mining software on your personal computer will cause your computer to consume a significant amount of electricity, which will increase your electric utility costs. Continued use of your computer for crypto-mining may cause computer parts, particularly mechanical parts (like cooling fans) to wear out faster and require more frequent maintenance. It is possible to spend more money on electricity and computer hardware than you earn in cryptocurrency mining."

Increase CO2 emissions and burn up your computer more quickly - how very eco-friendly! I wonder if Norton's CSR person is aware of this ?!

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 9:53AM · Permalink

Peter, the Norton EULA is available here. Others should read it as it explicitly states what you are saying.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUK...

https://www.nortonlifelock.com/us/en/legal/repository/

SA

MS Certified Professional / Windows 11 Home 22H2 x 64 build 22621.1265 - Windows 10 Pro x 64 version 22H2 / build 19045.2728 / Norton Security Ultra - Norton 360 Deluxe ver. 22.23.1.21 / Opera GX LVL4 (core: 96.0.4693.104) 64 bit-Early Access w/Norton Chrome Extensions
Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 12:16PM · Permalink

It doesn't matter if it's opt-in or not. The fact is that they put this program on my computer without my knowledge and consent.  If I wanted this program, I would have looked for it and installed it myself.   As I said earlier, I bought a security program and wanted to install just that.  This is nothing more than another ploy to make more money off us.  They violated my trust.  Opt-in or Opt-out, I don't care.  This program has nothing to do with security.  

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 09-Jan-2022 | 1:41PM · Permalink

I love the new onboard miner.

Ever since learning of its existence on my computer,  I've been happier, healthier, and walking taller daily.

Who woulda thunk?

Cheers to Norton for giving us a Happy New Year gift.

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 10-Jan-2022 | 8:19AM · Permalink

I`m out Sub due in three days. Just ordered Kap, Did not want to, but forced due to this. I opted out completely. 

Suggest all Norton users to do the same, including miners, they take 15% for nothing. Scam on top of scam. Shame on you Norton. will tell everyone to avoid whenever subject comes up. Norton-installs programs NOTHING to do with security on your PC without consent or notification. more a malware program now. Will be my response. 

Kudos2 Stats

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 10-Jan-2022 | 1:19PM · Edited: 10-Jan-2022 | 1:25PM · Permalink

What ever it is Opt-In or not, for now it is still part of the security suite, correct?
If anything, make it a standalone app instead.
Also, mining crypto is not the best business with 25% local taxes, high electricity prices and then on top 15% to Norton.

Didn't use anything from Symantec for quite some years now neither do I mine, but still wondering which genius that thought it was a good idea with the current crypto mining implementation in Norton.
Guess a borked products stays borked.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 10-Jan-2022 | 8:30PM · Permalink

Avira is adding a crypto miner to its products as well - Jan 10, 2022
https://www.ghacks.net/2022/01/10/avira-is-adding-a-crypto-miner-to-its-products-as-well/

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 11-Jan-2022 | 5:08AM · Permalink

Avira is adding a crypto miner to its products as well

Avira was recently taken over by Norton. Avast / AVG too.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 11-Jan-2022 | 5:10AM · Permalink

I suspect it is the same program in a new interface.

Kudos0

Re: Absoutly furious... Norton Miner

Posted: 11-Jan-2022 | 5:32AM · Permalink

Norton Crypto was announced back at the beginning of June last year:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210602005361/en/NortonLifeLock-...

This thread is closed from further comment. Please visit the forum to start a new thread.