I found it very interesting that today I came home from work to find my computer powered down. When I booted it up I saw that Norton Identity Safe had been installed on my computer. In addition Windows security had been turned off.
When I contacted Norton Chat to discuss this, they stated that Identity Safe was included in a Live Update that went out today. I do not consider a new software package an update and am very disturbed that Norton software potentially disabled Windows Security to install software.
I was told that my "comments will be updated in the case notes of this case ID - [Removed] and it will be taken as a high priority."
I was also surprised that when I asked if there was a checksum key I could verify that what was installed was actually installed by Norton I was told "it is a valid program because it has been released today morning".
I'm curious how other users reacted to the automatic software installation--or how many users didn't even notice. Don't get me wrong, I have no beef with the software, just the ethics of Symantic.
I've already removed Identity Safe, that is not the issue. I shouldn't have to remove software that I do not want installed on my computer in the first place.
I am using AntiVirus, and if Identity Safe was added as a feature to AntiVirus then it should be embedded into the module as part of the code with similar control options as other features (such as SONAR and AntiSpyware) in AntiVirus rather than be installed as a seperate software package with seperate desktop and taskbar icons.
I only speculate that Norton software was responsible for disabling a portion of my Windows Security. I can not verify if it was the firewall, UAC, or a different component of it that was disabled because when I saw the balloon notice that it had been disabled I used the notice to reactivate all security. As I was informed by Norton Chat, UAC is to prompt before allowing software updates, the fact that there was no prompt and I had a balloon notifiying me that some portion of Windows Security was down, and Identity Safe was installed, I have a hunch that they are all somehow related.
I do have LiveUpdates, Pulse Update, Auto download of new version, and smart definitions turned on for updates. I was informed by Norton Chat that this software installed as a result of a LiveUpdate. The help page for updates describes a LiveUpdate as
Automatic LiveUpdate automatically checks for definition updates and program updates to your virus protection when you are connected to the Internet.
Identity Safe is certainly not a definition update, and one would not expect a program update to install a new program, but rather update the program that is currently installed on the system.
Norton AntiVirus installing software without subscriber consent is lower than the companies that include "toolbar" software in addition to software you may be intending to install, however at least most of those companies offer a check box and make it clear that additional software will be installed on the computer.
I found it very interesting that today I came home from work to find my computer powered down. When I booted it up I saw that Norton Identity Safe had been installed on my computer. In addition Windows security had been turned off.
When I contacted Norton Chat to discuss this, they stated that Identity Safe was included in a Live Update that went out today. I do not consider a new software package an update and am very disturbed that Norton software potentially disabled Windows Security to install software.
I was told that my "comments will be updated in the case notes of this case ID - [Removed] and it will be taken as a high priority."
I was also surprised that when I asked if there was a checksum key I could verify that what was installed was actually installed by Norton I was told "it is a valid program because it has been released today morning".
I'm curious how other users reacted to the automatic software installation--or how many users didn't even notice. Don't get me wrong, I have no beef with the software, just the ethics of Symantic.
You could post a reply in that thread but because it is a weekend you may not hear anything until next week.
Cheers.
Krusty13, I just sent Tony an email, so hopefully we do not need to wait all weekend.
@ hans_h - it appears from Tony's post that Krusty13 linked to, that the update (install of ID Safe) was not intended for users who did not have it installed prior. I am sure Tony will sort this out once he is aware of it.
Thanks for the reply. As Tony was concerned, yes this product was pushed on to my computer as well as the other two computers that are part of my Norton subscription.
Hey folks. Could you run me through your install history with Norton AntiVirus? Did you have NAV 2012 installed, then updated in-product to the 2013 version? If you installed NAV 2013 fresh, Norton Identity Safe Standalone would have been installed with it. Is it possible you overlooked the messaging about IDSS installing when installing NAV 2013? Or is there absolutely no chance this install happened? I apologize for the questions; I want to get to the bottom of this issue, and make sure everything is dealt with as best we can. Thanks.
