Too large Updates with NIS 2013?

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

Hi to all,

 

Since I installed NIS 2013, through LiveUpdate I get about 10 mb per day for updates of which almost 8 MB concerns

"Norton Virus Definitions 2013" that in previous version of NIS 2012, the updates rarely exceeded 1 MB per day, an average of 600/900 KB each day.
In both versions "Smart Definitions" I always set to Off.
I checked the folder size VirusDefs "C :/ ProgramData/Norton/NIS_20.1.0.24/Definitions/VirusDefs" and is 424 MB, is not too large?
1. Someone else has encountered this difference?
2. It's normal?

 

A Reply will be appreciated.

 

     Sandro

 

Specs. Win7sp1, NIS 2013 20.1.1.2, IE9

2

I monitored the VirusDefs folder for a couple of days and remained at 424 mb, I guess the size of the folder will always remain the same size and that it was created during installation and updates of the software by default.

However, I have not received any answer on the request #1 and #2.

 

Thanks in advance for any reply.

      Sandro

3

You have the Smart Definition turned off. That will actually download larger definition files.

 

See this Norton KB article.

 

I'm not sure of a difference between 2012 and 2013 versions.

 

You could try turning Smart Definitions ON, to see if there is a difference.

 

 

4

Thank you for your reply peterweb.

 

I had already tried to set Smart Definitions ON, and updates were more small.

The fact is, until a month ago I had NIS 2012 with Smart Definitions set to Off and definition updates were significantly lower as size, as already described on my first post.

My opinion is, or there was an error with NIS 2012 or there is an error with the new NIS 2013 that install 7/8 bm of Virus Definitions each day.

Symantec probably knows exactly how things really are and maybe they could explain.


Sandro

5

I think it's because LiveUpdate download full virscana.dat during update process. It's not quite large but after compression it takes about 3.2MB of overall update size. It could be better if Symantec will start generate update delta(set of differences between latest version of that file and version that you have)

6
Sandro_cm wrote:

Thank you for your reply peterweb.

 

I had already tried to set Smart Definitions ON, and updates were more small.

The fact is, until a month ago I had NIS 2012 with Smart Definitions set to Off and definition updates were significantly lower as size, as already described on my first post.

My opinion is, or there was an error with NIS 2012 or there is an error with the new NIS 2013 that install 7/8 bm of Virus Definitions each day.

Symantec probably knows exactly how things really are and maybe they could explain.


Sandro

I never paid attention to download sizes. I guess once I was off dial up it did not matter.

 

It is possible that with the 2013 version, there are more types of definitions that need to be updated more frequently.

 

As you hoped, maybe someone that knows for sure can chime in here.

 

7

I only use my home PC at weekends and I have noted that each saturday on NIS2011 I usually get a 10mb(ish) download of definitions.

 

These days that sort of size is expected I suppose. Only takes a few seconds to download anyway so no big deal.

8
Nerimash wrote:

I think it's because LiveUpdate download full virscana.dat during update process. It's not quite large but after compression it takes about 3.2MB of overall update size. It could be better if Symantec will start generate update delta(set of differences between latest version of that file and version that you have)


According to my knowledge I'm not able to confirm what you explained, but if what you say is correct, perhaps Symantec should review the method by which the virus defs are sent and applied.

I used several security software and none of them except NIS / NAV goes crazy during the application of that updates.

When NIS update virus definitions, memory grows about 500 mb ram for at least 30 seconds and during this time the PC is heavily slowed.

I do not think this can make happy users who expect to get always the best from Symantec.
However, I remain with you Symantec hoping that all problems listed in the various posts that still persist with NIS 2013 will be resolved within a short time.

 

9

Sandro_cm wrote:

When NIS update virus definitions, memory grows about 500 mb ram for at least 30 seconds and during this time the PC is heavily slowed.

It's because they're rebuilding defs indexes and applying different encryption keys.

10
Nerimash wrote:

It's because they're rebuilding defs indexes and applying different encryption keys.


I understood what you said and it is not a good thing.

Since these are simply updates of virus definitions, they should settle in a less invasive and more comfortable way, we're not

talking about a software upgrade ...
This is my point of view, I don't know what other people think about this matter.