Kept getting pop-up in Breitbart re: 4 virus vulnerability. Norton Mobile Security Premium running shows no malware, apps safe. App advisor Breitbart safe no intrusive ads. Norton Halt previously showed NO quadroot vulnerability but NOW Shows IT IS present. Tried detection of malware other apps , found none. Belarc Security Advisor also shows no vulnerabilities. Question: New false positive in Halt vs. no detected vulnerability in Norton Security..
Hi peterwebb, (1) Device non-rooted, Moto G 2nd gen. (2) This is only about the detection of the Quadroot vulnerability OVER TIME in HALT as present initially, absent post Norton Security and security upgrade, and (you raise an interesting point here re: OS change) Possibly positive after OS upgrade to Marshmallow 6.0 Perhaps better to know vulnerability there but protected against - than to have a sense of false invulnerability. OS upgrade yes should mitigate vulnerabilities - as I said none shown in results.
I was just concerned others may have this question, and should rest assured they are protected - by Norton Security.
What you said was key: Halt shows vulnerability in this case, not an indication of a successful attack or compromised device.
Thank you for helping me work this through.
Greatly appreciate your thoughtful analysis.
Will close thread.
Regards.
My point about the chipset was specifically referring to the Quadroot vulnerability. Not all vulnerabilities. Each vulnerability that Halt looks for has a description of why the device might be vulnerable before you tap on the Check button. After you Check, it lets you know if your device is vulnerable to that specific item. Again, it is not saying you have been attacked, just that your device could be if left unprotected, or you are not careful about where you get your apps.
As to why you have seen changes to how things have been detected....Have you updated your OS during that time? Could be an OS update mitigates the specific vulnerability.
Is your device rooted? All bets are off if it is.
Hi peterwebb,
As this is Motorola G 2nd gen it does have the Qualcomm chipset. The vulnerability existed in Halt before the August 2016 security update. Then NO longer showed. The Belarc Security Advisor, in agreement with Halt, showed 23 separate vulnerabilities - including Quadroot BEFORE the security update, then and now showed none. Not to beat a dead horse here, but your point that Halt shows vulnerability based on chipset alone fails as WHAT IT SHOWS SHOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED over time.(caps emphasis only not shouting). I checked HALT after the security update and NO vulnerability was there. This has changed over time. Also now upgraded to Marshmallow 6.0
I do understand as an orthodox paranoid to only use Google Play with Norton Advisor for apps, no third party, etc.
I believe I am secure. Everything scrupulously updated & reviewed.
The issue now is this change in Halt as outlined above, which may or not be experienced by others, as a false positive or app issue.
Thank you very much for your extremely rapid response. Your attention and consideration is greatly appreciated here as in other areas of the Norton community.
Regards.
The Norton Halt app shows if your device is vulnerable to a specific attack. It is not saying you have been infected.
Often the vulnerability is related to an older OS version or in the example you give, the Quadroot vulnerability is for devices with Qualcomm chipset. It would appear your device fits that description so it is vulnerable. But your other scans show your device is clean.
You have to remember that most vulnerabilities are exploited by rogue apps or rooted devices. Just be sure you only use normal channels to get apps. Do not use 3rd party download sites. And keep your anti virus app up to date.