As of February 22, 2016, the Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook app will be discontinued. The following FAQs help to answer your questions about this situation.
Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook FAQ
Why is Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook being discontinued?
Due to recent changes in Facebook Application policies, Facebook no longer provides the information we need to evaluate the content posted by friends or by friends of friends. As a result, Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook will not detect malicious links posted by others on their Facebook page. Since the app can no longer function as intended, we have decided to discontinue it.
I read the forum post that said you were working with Facebook to resolve the scanning problem. What happened?
Facebook has made a decision to restrict the information it used to provide to applications such as SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook. As a result, SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook cannot operate as designed and must be discontinued.
When I run a manual scan, SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook says I have no malicious code. Why should I be worried?
Although SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook may detect some malicious links cited on your own Facebook page, due to changes in Facebook application policies, SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook is unable to collect the information necessary to create an accurate report indicating malicious links on other people’s pages. Without an accurate scan, you are potentially at risk of clicking on a malicious link.
If you have discontinued the SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook, why do I still see the SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook icon on my Facebook App Page?
When the SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook is discontinued, it will not automatically remove the existing icon from your App page. To remove the App icon, please follow these steps:
- From your Facebook home page, click on the drop-down arrow in the top menu bar
- Click on Settings
- Click on Apps in the left-hand navigation bar to access App Settings
- Locate the SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook icon
- Delete the App icon.
Does Norton have a different product that I can use to protect myself when I am on Facebook?
Yes. We provide alternate solutions to keep you safe while on Facebook. The Norton SafeWeb features included in Norton AntiVirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360, Norton 360 Multi-Device, and Norton Security Standard, Deluxe, and Premium will allow you to have similar protection as that you get from Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook by utilizing different technology. You will also get the added benefit of website ratings and protection across ALL websites you visit, and will be able to see Norton SafeWeb ratings on your search results. These features will ensure that you are able to safely browse the Internet.
You may also use Norton Identity Safe which is available FREE from Norton.com. In addition to managing your passwords, Norton Identity Safe will warn you of unsafe sites right in your search results and block them.
If the SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook can’t collect the information I need, why will I be protected by the SafeWeb functionality in Norton Security or Norton Identify Safe?
The SafeWeb functionality in Norton Security and Norton Identity Safe protects you at the link level. This means that if you click on a malicious link in a friend’s post, or a friend of a friend, SafeWeb will protect you by blocking access to that site, in the same way it would protect you from malicious links in any website. However, we can no longer provide scans of links posted on your friends’ pages in advance of you visiting them.
How can I get these alternative solutions?
- Current Subscribers: Enable Norton SafeWeb in your Norton Security, Norton AntiVirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360 or Norton 360 Multi-Device subscription. Learn more.
- All Others: We invite you to try Norton Security Premium FREE for 30 days.
- You may also download Norton Identity Safe FREE from Norton.com. In addition to managing your passwords, Norton Identity Safe will warn you of unsafe sites right in your search results and block them.
We want to thank you for being a Norton SafeWeb Scanner for Facebook customer, and encourage you to try one of our Norton Security products.