I checked my Norton Security yesterday and saw a new download that I didnt do. It was for a setup.exe from Ask.com and I noticed that every 5 minutes I have a blocked unauthorized access trying to access that ask.com. I removed it today and tonight I get another alert that setup.exe was safe again and now the unauthorized access things are happening again. But Norton says its reliable, many users and they give it a good rating.
Im confused.... why all the unauthorized access and yet it has a good rating and its reliable.
Should I worry?
Hi
If the User didn't initiated a Program/application to connect to internet it will be considered as Unauthorized access. Ask's setup.exe is a free Toolbar which is Integrated in many Software's (like Nero CD/DVD Burner). And it is not a malicious file, so many people have it in their computer as a result of installing Some Games or through some other softwares.
If the Ask Toolbar is installed in your Computer then everytime you open up your Browser and do internet surfing, Ask toolbar will also be connecting to the internet. So if you don't want it You can remove it by uninstalling it from your computer.
Windows key + r ->appwiz.cpl->search for Ask Toolbar ->right click Uninstall
Thank You!!
I had a computer issue with Win 7 Antivirus 2012 a few weeks back and every since that moment I get a little suspicious about things. I have had a few Viruses caught by Norton and all these unauthorized access things show up as Medium and blocked.... have me worried from time to time.
Hi
When Program tries to access the Internet without the Knowledge of the user, Norton utilizes it's insight ability to check the Behaviour of that file...That's absolutely the correct way of approach alway's keep an open eye if feel something's lurking in your Computer. To make sure Run the Norton Power Eraser and post the findings with a screenshot in a Post.
Hi Ferg1945,
"Unauthorized Access Blocked" log entries refer to Norton Product Tamper Protection preventing outside programs from accessing Norton files and processes. It has nothing to do with internet access and does not indicate any threats are present on your computer - many legitimate programs, as well as Windows processes, often try to access Norton processes and in all cases they are blocked to prevent any interference with Norton's ability to protect your PC. You can disregard these entries.
Ask.com is not a virus. Ask.com is a search engine which often installs a toolbar. Many years ago toolbars were known to be malicious. Now they are just an annoyance. Toolbars,especially Ask.com get installed when a user is too click happy. You had to install or update a program which said “You agree to install Ask.com toolbar”. You can prevent the toolbar from installing by unchecking it prior to installation of whatever software you were installing. Never just click next,next,next with out taking the time to see what you are clicking or agreeing to. Its called safe habits. Hope this helps