Broadcom the network cards constructor won't push backdoors into Norton?

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1

Hi,

This worry of me a priori does not engage other people, but some may think the same.

I am a regular customer (for more or less 17 years (I am 36)) of Symantec Norton complete security solutions (nowadays: 360) on Mac as well as on Windows.

-I know that Broadcom is the constructor of (almost all of) network cards, whatsoever: ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth (if I do no mistake). Especially the card I am using on my MacBook Pro having a Windows 10 partition.

I have always trusted Norton, as:

  1. it has always been efficient, (won about always among the 3 first places on http://av-comparatives.org, when Symantec accorded this web site to figure Norton in its charts);
  2. it has always the right options in the right places, without blocking the system;
  3. it was one of the first published/commercial anti-virus, so it has a long, long experience;
  4. it has always been an independent solution.

But I have a worry (about point 4) : it is purchased by Broadcom. Norton remained the sole of the main (occidental) security solutions to be independent from hardware and from the OS; (as a matter of an example: Microsoft has its own (which I do not mention) as well as Intel has its one) - so Norton remained independent, and this state of affairs will end with the purchase of the Symantec Security sector, by Broadcom.

-So, I have the impression that this network cards constructor will push backdoors in the security solutions Norton.

I may do a mistake, but: Which guarantees can I have against this doubt?

2
Michal Felix:

I am sorry, I do not understand this matter of Thread. I am user of Norton Internet Security for 10 years. I am very satisfied. It is needed to activate my new Broadcom account, or not?

Are you referring to an email you received about updating to a Broadcom account? If so, see this thread.   https://community.norton.com/en/forums/important-activate-your-broadcom-account

 

3

I am sorry, I do not understand this matter of Thread. I am user of Norton Internet Security for 10 years. I am very satisfied. It is needed to activate my new Broadcom account, or not?

4

Only Symantec's Enterprise Security business was acquired by Broadcom.  Symantec rebranded its remaining consumer products business as NortonLifeLock, which remains independent.  So Broadcom should not have any backdoors into Norton on the basis of having any sort of ownership or control of the company.  I suppose if it wanted to leverage any shared code to hack Norton users, that would be possible.  But also highly unlikely, unethical, and probably illegal -- certainly nothing that should cause any amount of serious concern.  I mean, that would constitute an attack on the customers of an independent company.  The resulting lawsuits and loss of business would wipe Broadcom off the planet.