I just installed div-x player, and while I am generally very careful about checking for unwanted addons apparently "install norton security scan" was hidden deep inside the terms of use. Not only was I tricked into installing the program, the software it installed was clearly designed to force the user to run it.There was no way to exit out , kill program didn't work, it didn't show up in task manager, had to kill the process itself to end the program.
I'm doubly pissed because not only do I have to uninstall software I didn't ask for, but in my experience no norton software is written competently enough to uninstall cleanly so there are likely files and process present that will now haunt me to my next reformat.
I'll give you a hint - if your product was any good you would not need to use malware like tactics to get your product on people's systems.
This is not the behavior of a legit company. You guys are a step down from the shaking "your computer is infected" popup adds. You should be deeply ashamed to even call yourself a security company. This isn't even getting into how **bleep**ty your actual software is.
I'll mention that I am already protected well by NOD32 - which interesting enough actually catches viruses, and doesn't slow my computer to a crawl. So far the only piece of malware that's gotten through is norton security scan. Hopefully they'll add it to their filters in a future release.
I just installed Divx player into my test system and I did not end up with norton security scan.
During the install there was a full page screen with a big picture of Chrome browser and it asked me if I wanted to install chrome browser and if I would like to set chrome browser as my default browser.
The setup did not continue at that point until I answered. I unclicked the 2 boxes and then let it continue.
I would say that screen was impossible to miss, it was not sneaky or decieving in any way and would not continue on it's own.
Obviously I must have got a different installer than you.
If your installation happend the way you said you really should complain. But you should be complaining to Divx because as far as I know Symantec does not own Divx nor do they make installation setups for other companies.
I agree wih you, program installations should never install other programs without the users permission and it should be done in an "opt-in" instead of "opt-out" way.
You are right that a lot of the blame lays with divX as well. Part of the reason I was so upset was also that the program was designed to force you to run it - no exit button on the dialog, close window option on the task bar disabled, no entry in task manager. You could kill the task itself but this seemed clearly designed to force the average user to run the program whether they wanted to or not.
That is interesting, I got nothing about chrome on mine, My husband confirmed that he had the same norton experience that I did. I think I'll uninstall and reinstall divX later tonight to see if I missed anything obvious.
Here is my answer to the same complaint over in the NIS/NAV section of the Forum.
Yes, the Norton Security Scan is legitimate and it comes with the Divx player. Here is a link from the DIVX player lab explaining it. You do have the choice to not accept the download however.
You should have been offered the choice of not installing it, but the way that DivX makes their upgrades or installers is the fault of the makers of DivX. Companies that offer bundled products like this don't offer it like this every time. What product you get offered with the install depends on what was asked the last time and also what is installed in your computer.
Some get it offered with Adobe products, but as often as I have updated my Adobe products, I haven't seen the Security Scan being installed or offered to me. Chances are if you try to install DivX again, it won't happen again.
You can also check in add/remove to see if it is listed there and delete it if it's there.
I've installed the DivX software several times in the last week. I had no problems not selecting the Norton install. It was very clear I had to remove a tick to prevent the Norton install. I've no complaints.
I have a couple of active desktop computers with multiple OSs on them so in effect I'm dealing frequently to updates to 4 OSs 2 x XP and 2 x WIN 7.
With Adobe updates recently I've had some wanting to install a Yahoo toolbar and some offering AV Scans so I think companies who are doing this kind of add-on either are checking to see what you have or are just rotating through a portfolio of "free" offers.
But in every case there was a checkbox associated (precheck to Yes please naturally)
Thanks for the confirmation -- that is exactly the screen I got with one of the Adobe recent updates, may have been for Flash.
I unchecked the box but human nature being what it is I am sure many people are on autopilot with downloads of things they do want -- I know I've done that.
That screen looks pretty clear and not in any way hidden. That said, it would be a good gesture to have the installer leave the "install Norton" checkbox unchecked by default. The "Continue" button could also reinforce the point, saying either "No thanks - do not install Norton" or "Yes - I want a free trial of Norton". The explicit text and larger button would help to minimize misunderstanding and the default of no check in the box would eliminate accidental installs. Of course, that would reduce uptake, and that would reduce the bounties paid to Divx, and therein lies the crux of the matter. Yes - they're very clear, but yes they also default to a "yes" response because they KNOW many will click that option without fully digesting that screen.
The points that you bring up should be told to DivX since they are the ones who make the installer and it is their product which is being installed. This should be mentioned in their Forum also.
I just installed div-x player, and while I am generally very careful about checking for unwanted addons apparently "install norton security scan" was hidden deep inside the terms of use.
lol!!!!!!!!
i srsly thought that you were right and i wanted to see for myself so i installed divx and wanted to see if nortons was really sneaking it in.
i documented all of it for you ;]
first screen:
NOPE!!!!! no mentions of nortons there. those sneaky guys...
I click accept and get the next screen:
NOPE!!! again not a mention of nortons security scanner or symantics anywhere!!! they are being sneaky!!! I KNOW IT!!
so I click next and get this screen:
OKAY!!! WAIT A MINUTE!!! I think I might see something here that says NOrtons security scan is going to install. I don' tknow for sure though ;]
I think that the problem here is that people didn't uncheck the box. they just keep clicking the button until it's installed.
I think that if ANYONE in the world needs protections its going to be the people who click things without looking. the last screenshot clearly showed that nortons was going to be installed.
like I said, I was on your side Apocalypse9 until I checked it out for myself. ;]
please check again and make sure this is how it was for you. I don't think nortons is being unacceptable as much as you are being that way in thinking that you didn't see this screen.
Hi folks, Yes, I probably didn’t uncheck the box, and I probably didn’t notice and I probably should be paying more attention, but there you go… I was trying to put this on the NSS removal thread, but can’t post to that one for some reason. The problem I’m having now is that I’m trying to uninstall NSS using the ‘change/uninstall’ function, but it claims it can’t validate the install, so refuses to remove it! It recommends I run a windows update, which I do, but nothing comes up and the problem remains. Does anyone out there have any bright ideas?! Many thanks for you time, Anthony
The problem I'm having now is that I'm trying to uninstall NSS using the 'change/uninstall' function, but it claims it can't validate the install, so refuses to remove it! It recommends I run a windows update, which I do, but nothing comes up and the problem remains.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sorry to know about the problem. Our NSS team may be interested in looking into the problem further.
Did you try and launch NSS?
Do you see any descriptive error message when attempting to uninstall NSS?
Did you try and uninstall the product through the Add/remove programs option?
Finally, let us know the operating system and service pack version if applicable.
I'll be ready to cascade this to the concerned team for further follow up.
Thanks,
Venkat
Venkat Jammalamadugu Norton Forums Moderator Consumer Products and Solutions Symantec Corporation
Hi Venkat, Thanks for the quick response. I’ve nothing against Norton personally, but I use a different virus/malware detector which I’m very happy with, and don’t want them conflicting - I’ve been warned about that a lot! As a consequence, no, I haven’t tried to run it, as I’m wary of what would then happen; it’s just on my desktop. Further to your other questions, yes, it’s the ‘add/remove programs’ in control panel that I’ve been trying. When I click on ‘uninstall’ for NSS, it brings up a page with a warning about malware and an option to SCAN and, next to that, a smaller, link-like ‘uninstall’ option. Pressing that gives me the message of (and I’m paraphrasing a little here, as I’m at work at the moment) ‘Unable to verify install so uninstall process halted’ or words to that effect, along with ‘If the problem continues, run a windows update and then try again’. As I said, running windows update gives me two optional programs, one of which is an update to a DVD player that I never use, and the other NVid something or other, so I can’t see how they would contribute to the overall efficacy of NSS! And that’s basically all the options I have. I’ve tried one of the Norton Device Removers (the one for 2004, 2005 etc. up to 2011, which seemed to be the catch-all of the options) and that did nothing, and I can’t seem to find an uninstaller which is dedicated to or includes NSS. Is there one available, and, if so, could you direct me to it? I have uninstalled the DivX update which included NSS (and, yes, I know now to pay more attention to avoid this happening in the future!), but that, too, has not taken NSS with it. My OS is Vista and (again, I think, as I’m not with the computer at the moment) it’s service pack 2. I can clarify that later if it makes a difference. As I say, I have nothing against Norton or its products, and I accept that I should have been paying more attention, but I do think it a little strange that a program installed in error simply will not be removed! I’m not terribly computer literate, and am wary of doing anything to the registry without knowing exactly what I’m doing, so any help that you can give me will be gratefully received. Many thanks in advance, Anthony
Hello phillipm785 The points that you bring up should be told to DivX since they are the ones who make the installer and it is their product which is being installed. This should be mentioned in their Forum also.
I completely agree. Sorry - I should have been clear about that. I don't lay any of this at Symantec's door. They're just working with affiliates to prospect for customers. I just think vendors involed in such programs could take steps that, although perhaps slightly less successful in terms of gross signups, would produce better quality leads and do so with less damage to their brands.
One thing Symnantec may consider in order to incentivize good behavior from affiliates is requiring the affiliate to leave the box unchecked by default in return for a higher bounty. Overall, they'd get a higher rate of conversion from trials to paying subs and the actual cost of acquisition may be lower on a per-customer basis. Just a thought.
