After the new update Norton 360, constant DNS checks to avast.com

[Vassilis_C]

Hi, I just opened the computer today and i got the brand new experience of Norton
360 (24.12.9694 (build 24.12.9694.895))

But i also have ControlD and i noticed constant hits to *.avast.com domains that are blocked. I have never installed avast. I have no other application pointing to that, and in fact you can reproduce it very easily by opening norton360 and you will get a log of blocked in the analytics. See screenshot.

Can someone from support justify this or why it is tracking that site which we know that now avast is a bloatware.

Thank you.

[lmacri]

Hi Vassilis_C:

I no longer use Norton so I can’t tell you what changes, if any, were made to Norton 360 v24.12.9694 remote IP connections, but see the 17-Sep-2024 hackerdose article One Less Scanner? Norton Antivirus Jumps on Avast’s Engine about the new line of Norton v24.x products.

There’s a discussion about this in Specialist17’s 24-May-2024 Norton Security now silently installs Avast software? in the AskWoody forum.

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[Vassilis_C]

Thank you for the reply and the link! that explains a lot!
I knew that i wasn’t crazy about what i was seeing. I’m really upset about that, i do not know the politics but for me is total crap from NORTON. I never had an issue with the software, and i was standing behind it for years when users were bashing it.

I do not know now, and the support is really not there. I doubt i will see any official answer on this saying yes we are using also AVAST engine now.

On a side note, i have some scripts in powershell sending email from my ISP SMTP server and i notice now that at the end i get this so 2004 text at the bottom!!! great way to be professional and to get embarrassed on my customers.

I just notice that so i hope there is an option to remove it

[bjm]

@Vassilis_C

i get this so 2004 text at the bottom!!! great way to be professional and to get embarrassed on my customers.

I just notice that so i hope there is an option to remove it

What’s your Add signature…?

Learn more about Email Protection here

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@Vassilis_C

I doubt i will see any official answer on this saying yes we are using also AVAST engine now.

regarding using Avast now…not an official answer…albeit, common knowledge…for example here

Norton brand antivirus protection now uses the Avast scan engine. This means that another anti-malware engine is disappearing from the market and the range of different solutions is shrinking.

The virus protection testers at AV-Comparatives.org have pointed this out, and Gen Digital Inc. has now also confirmed this to heise online. There are several indications of this. “The folder structure of the virus definitions and some core processes are now similar to identical. For example, the process aswEngSrv.exe , which has the same name for both products,” explains Peter Stelzhammer from AV-Comparatives when asked. He adds: “You can also find explicit references to Avast domains in an .ini file within the virus definitions directory in Norton”.

When asked by heise online, a Gen company spokeswoman replied: “Since the merger of NortonLifeLock and Avast in 2022, we have laid the foundation to closely link the products of the two industry leaders and create a new, world-class cyber security infrastructure. We are leveraging the best technologies from each gen brand to create a unified technology platform to deliver a better and more personalized experience for our customers.”

https://www.heise.de/en/news/Norton-relies-on-Avast-scan-engine-9866215.html

AI Overview
Gen Digital, a cybersecurity company encompassing brands like Norton, Avast, and LifeLock, utilizes the Avast threat detection engine within its security products, meaning that when you use a Gen Digital product like Norton, it leverages the advanced malware detection capabilities developed by Avast to protect users against cyber threats; essentially, Gen Digital leverages Avast’s technology as a core part of its security infrastructure.
Key points to remember:

• Merger:
  Avast was acquired by NortonLifeLock (now known as Gen Digital) which led to the integration of Avast’s security engine into Gen Digital’s products.
• Benefit:
  This allows Gen Digital to benefit from Avast’s robust threat detection network and machine learning capabilities.
• Brand names:
  While you may see “Norton” or “LifeLock” on your device, the underlying security engine powering the protection could be Avast.

https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/family-of-brands/

[Vassilis_C]

thanks man great input. I did my own research after the post and indeed everything is you both responded. I didn’t know about any of that. I do not know if i will stand my Norton on this one, besides, never used anything else in my life (the beginning of days i has SEP offline edition ).

I remove the hideous email signature from the bottom and i stop most DNS ping requests for Avast. I do not love the new version, always pop ups about stopping apps even visual studio and had to press add exception and go through hoops. Of course all my homemade apps and scripts are in quarantine

On a sidenote since you said not using NORTON what are you suggesting ?

Thank you both for the replies and knowleddge.

[bjm]

@Vassilis_C

On a sidenote since you said not using NORTON what are you suggesting ?

see @lmacri signature here