How to stop automatic updates/upgrades?

I long ago turned off automatic updates, yet Norton would alert me weekly to download new ones.

 

It alerted me to download NIS 2010, and I did - just yesterday. Now it's running automatic updates continuously, even though I went back in and turned them off. I've tried stopping the update run, but it just immediately goes back to running Live Update. I DO NOT WANT THIS!!!!!

 

What do I need to do to stop Live Update from running? I'd prefer not to have to uninstall Norton, but I want control over what runs on my computer.

Hi LisaB,

 

You can edit your post by going to "Options" and then to "Edit Message".

 

Are you trying to prevent NIS 2010 from automatically downloading updates, virus definitions etc. via LiveUpdate? This is not at all recommended. Turning off LiveUpdate will influence your computer security negatively. You might find that you won't have control over your computer if malware gets onto your machine and takes over - simply because you did not have the latest updates due to your having turned off the automatic LiveUpdate feature.

 

 

Options doesn’t seem to be clickable for me. (Edit: I just figured out that I needed to disable my Ad Muncher to get it to work.)

I really don’t want a lecture on the inadvisability of turning off Automatic Update. I know what it does, and I don’t feel there’s a huge risk in turning it off and manually checking for updates.

What I want is to get it to stop running. Does anyone know which file I could disable, since setting Automatic and Pulse updates to Off hasn’t done a thing?

Message Edited by LisaB on 12-19-2009 11:10 AM

Hi, LisaB,

 

Turning Off Automatic LiveUpdate is fine as long as you Run Norton LiveUpdate manually every two hours or less; to Turn Off Automatic LiveUpdate: Open your Norton Product > Computer Settings > Updates.  Please let us know how it goes, or if you've already done this.  Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Floating_Red, perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I have already done this and it doesn't stop it from running. Specifically, I clicked on the Norton icon in my tray at the lower right of my screen. The NIS 2010  UI is different than the one I had previously. In the Computer section, I clicked on Settings, scrolled to the Updates section and set both Pulse Updates and Automatic Updates to OFF (in that order, since I couldn't move Pulse Updates when Automatic was off).

 

That DID NOT stop it from running.

 

I finally thought to go into the Norton folder in my Start menu, where there was a menu item for Automatic Update. I used Properties to find the .exe file, somethign uninformatively named uistub.exe. I was unable to rename or delete it. "Access denied." Presumably because the program is running! There is no way to just turn off the whole Norton app.

 

I tried rebooting to safe mode, but the F8 option wouldn't work. (Not sure why? I supposedly have all administrator rights.) I finally booted to Windows and pulled the plug so the system would take  me to safe mode. I was able to delete the .exe file (by renaming it), finally.

 

BUT! On rebooting, it was still running! It wasn't finding any updates, but I don't want it wasting my system resources continuously trying to check, either.

 

Had to pull the plug yet again to get back to safe mode. I found a .dll file named uipfstub.dll. That name was close enough to the .exe file name for me to disable it. Disabling it changed the Automatic Update desktop icon (which I'd created to find the path in Properties) from the Norton graphic to the generic Windows file icon, so I assume I was right about it being a .dll for the update module.

 

 

 

Message Edited by LisaB on 12-19-2009 01:03 PM

Hi LisaB,

 

You have started two threads in the recent past seeking help to remove two separate infections.  Now you are attempting not only to turn off a key element of Norton's protection mechanism, but you are also dismembering your Norton program, which one should never do, by removing files haphazardly ("That name was close enough to the .exe file name for me to disable it.").  I hope you know what you are doing. 

Hello.

I think she is letting you know that we don't want continuous updates.  We don't want unscheduled traffic on our internet connection.  We watch to see traffic activity via the XP monitor, and we look at hard drive activity.  We HEAR our hard drive running, and are concerned about what is being done to our PC (PC = Personal Computer - it is ours, not yours).  This was the whole purpuse of Microsoft indoctrination.  If we didn't care, we would just get an Apple computer.

 

And, I have seen an update go out to NAV that caused problems, and we don't want stuff changing in the middle of what we are doing.  I run backups on my hard drive when no actvity is supposed to be going on.  How can I do that with your product?  We want to initiate all activity, unless we scheduled the activity.  What if I was on dialup for a dead cable connection, and if I had been down for a couple of days, or not?  Wouldn't you kick in and take over my connection?  What if I want to get on and get off - you pop in.  What if I just popped into the coffee shop?  Understand?

 

I know that you developed your new products with a certain new philosophy, but that is exactly why I am still running NIS 2008.  I don't want unscheduled activity on my PC - MY PC.  I am sure she will look for other security options, and it looks like I will have to, also, since you have departed from age old PC software behavior.  Why do you think the older versions allowed us to turn off automatic updates?  They knew we insisted on it!  They knew what was what.  I have a policy to never update Norton during the late night, because you but out a bad fix in the middle of the night before, and fixed it the next day.  You do screw up some times, and I don't want to be the first one in line to have the problem.  You are now telling me this can't be done.

 

By the way, the new NUA.exe that has showed up on our PC's was another situation that is an unexpected.  It downloaded and installed into my startup list, without warning, and even while I was not updating with LiveUpdate.  Not good.  I told it not to bother me again, yet it still runs, using 5M and does a lot of I/O at each startup, plus loading it.  I have asked if it is still any good, now that I said to not bother me?   Any ideas?

Thanks for your consideration of these issues.

Weither or not to have automatic updates is a personal choice and we will not debate the pros / cons of that. 

 

However, if one turns this off via the parameter settings and the updates (virus definitions; not Community Watch or Insight) are still being done, then there is an error in the installation of Norton.  I can turn the virus definitions OFF in my parameters and the updates stop running imediately and stay OFF until I change the parameters manually.

dbrisendine, 

Agreed.  So, let's please everybody if we can, right? 

So, are you running 2009 or 2010?   That is what we are worried about.  I do see that somebody (several) previously took issue with her preference, though you say that she has a right to it.  I was defending her and my preference.  We have valid reasons.

 

I want to suggest that the NIS have an option to set updates to have a time setting to warn every so often (like 30 minutes or an hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, daily, etc.).  This should please everybody.  Anybody know who to talk to about this?

It would come up and say -

Ready for Norton Updates?  Yes or skip?

This would allow somebody working on a backup, or other things they don't want the possibility of being interrupted, to not be bothered/worried, and it would also allow us to know why our PC is busy.  It would also be good to flag the icon in the system tray when an update is actually running so everybody will know why there is activity.  Wouldn't even people who allow automatic like this?

Message Edited by jbwnor on 12-20-2009 11:36 AM

LisaB

 

<< I was unable to rename or delete it. "Access denied." Presumably because the program is running!  >>

 

Norton has protection built in to stop its files being changed -- the first thing that malware tries to do -- so just being an Administrator would not be enough. However you can turn this off in Miscellaneous Settings -- Norton Product Tampa Protection.

 

When you tried to stop updates, did you disable Live Update and Pulse Updates in Computer Settings?

 

 

PS -- The above assumes you are running 2010 which is what I checked the settings on and is written on the assumption that you take your own risks!

Message Edited by huwyngr on 12-20-2009 01:04 PM

jbwnor:

 

I run on automatic to take advantage of the program in every way possible.  I have seen new definitions come out literally in minutes after files were submitted to Symantec that blocked several rootkit infections.  Since the updates and scans run in idle time, rather than working time, they do not impact either my computer or my lifestyle, nearly as much as an malware infection would.

 

As dbrisendine has advised, however, when you turn the automatic live update off, and the pulse updates to off, they do turn off.  In this case, there has been enough manipulation of the Norton program itself, that it is no longer running properly or behaving as expected.  

I long ago turned off automatic updates, yet Norton would alert me weekly to download new ones.

 

It alerted me to download NIS 2010, and I did - just yesterday. Now it's running automatic updates continuously, even though I went back in and turned them off. I've tried stopping the update run, but it just immediately goes back to running Live Update. I DO NOT WANT THIS!!!!!

 

What do I need to do to stop Live Update from running? I'd prefer not to have to uninstall Norton, but I want control over what runs on my computer.

Hi

 

Since you are running still the 2008 version, things are taking longer to get updated and everything is taking longer. The 2008 versions of Norton products were very slow and heavy and everything took so much more resources to do the simplest of tasks. Not to mention the ability of the program to prevent and clean up problems more quickly. Honestly, by using the older version of your Norton product, you are not getting the same protection from rootkits etc as you would get by running 2009 or 2010 products. The 2008 engine just isn't as effective as the newer ones. Of course it is your computer and you can choose to keep the 2008 version still, but the protection that can be have with the newer versions, you won't be able to take full advantage of. If you want to continue to have weekly updates and let the possibility of new malware enter into your computer more readily, that's your choice to.

What do you mean weekly upates?  I do them several times a day.  Am I missing something about only getting something weekly?

Hi jb

 

Sorry, I was mistaken. The 2008 version started with the more frequent updates.

jbwnor -

 

You and others are fine with updating manually; I would recommend at least daily but whatever is comfortable for the user is fine.

 

 

The main point I was trying to make was that if the automatic updates were still running in the OP's system (after they had changed the settings to OFF for both types of updates), then the OP's Norton installation is corrupted and should be repaired.  Since they have left and not come back here to discuss the issue further, we will have to wait to see what comes.

Message Edited by dbrisendine on 12-20-2009 03:37 PM

dbrisendine wrote:

jbwnor -

 

You and others are fine with updating manually; I would recommend at least daily but whatever is comfortable for the user is fine.

 

 

The main point I was trying to make was that if the automatic updates were still running in the OP's system (after they had changed the settings to OFF for both types of updates), then the OP's Norton installation is corrupted and should be repaired.  Since they have left and not come back here to discuss the issue further, we will have to wait to see what comes.

Message Edited by dbrisendine on 12-20-2009 03:37 PM

Hi dbrisendine,

 

Absolutely true. If updates are still running when disabled it would certainly sound like the installation got corrupted. Sounds like it probably needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled, possibly even with the NRT.

 

Let's see how this plays out.

 

Allen

Now I find this (related to whether to allow upgrade, and surprises if we allow NUA.exe to upgrade us) on another thread..

Is this true?  No inbound firewall??  (see what was said below)

I run NIS which has NAV in it, right?  I didn't think NAV ever had a firewall in it? (see copied in post below)

Is there not a  NIS10 with firewall and NAV?

Re: What is NUA.exe? Options    Options   Phil_DSuper Trojan Terminator
Super Trojan Terminator
Posts: 3801
Registered: 06-10-2008


Phil_D 

Message 6 of 6

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You don't necessarily have to wait for the notice. With a valid subscription, you can update your NAV 2008 at any time.

 

One thing I should point out is that NAV 2010 (and NAV 2009) does not have an inbound Firewall as you currently have in NAV 2008. You should be aware of this when considering the update. You may want to explore the use of a third party firewall if you update to NAV 2010.

 

If you wish to proceed, you can go to the Update Center here and select the automated "Update Me Now" or "Choose My Product Manually".

Message Edited by jbwnor on 12-21-2009 12:14 AM

NAV2008 came with a minimal firewall. I believe one way, inbound, called internet worm protection.  NIS came with a true two way firewall.

Norton Antivirus 2008 and Earlier - don't know how Earlier - came with an In-bound Firewall, and Norton Antivirus 2009 and Norton Antivirus 2010 does not have any Firewall Protection; if you use N.I.S. 2009-2010 and Earlier, they you do have a Smart Firewall, i.e. a Two-Way Firewall.  This is why I always recommend Norton Internet Security (N.I.S.).

 

Norton 2008 Products was the start of thr lightweight products, and, at the moment (2009-2010), if you have X.P. and Newer, N.I.S. 2008 should be the Oldest Norton Product you should be using, however, I would always recommend Upgrading to the Latest Version that is Compatible with your O.S..

 

 

 

Message Edited by Floating_Red on 12-21-2009 11:31 PM