I guess I agreed to particiapte in the Community Watch, but I noticed some interesting files getting sent from my machine to Norton, e.g.
What determines which files get selected?
I'd prefer not to open up my entire machine to be a "hunting ground" for "sample files", if you know what I mean :)
bq1
It takes a while for images to be cleared by the moderators and until they are we can't help ... Meanwhile here is my boilerplate:
To get you the best advice, would you give us some more information about your system:
What version of Windows are you using including Service Packs and whether 32 bit or 64 bit as well as the Name and Version ID of the Norton product that you are using -- Help / About is where that is, in the format of nn.nn.nn.nnn
If you have the COMCAST version of Norton 360 / Security Suite and not the normal commercial version please be sure to tell us.
Normally these submissions are to check .exe files as you have here. I've seen a lot of .dll files submitted as well. These are files frequently associated with both good programs as well as malware. It helps to both identify malicious files as well as preventing false positives.
As delphinium points out, Symantec uses submissions to improve our products and protect our users.
The option to particpate (or not) in Norton Community Watch shows up with the "Agree and Install" button in our current products. You are certainly welcomed to opt out of Norton Community Watch at any time.
Steps:
Main Product UI | Settings
Miscellaneous Settings
Norton Community Watch --> OFF
OK
How long do you keep these submitted files?
Do you resubmit them elsewhere?
And do you maintain any uniquely identifying information on where you got the file from (e.g. source IP address, etc)?
If I choose not to participate in Community Watch, is my level/quality of protection diminished in any way?
Hi bq1
Here is a link to the Community Watch Privacy Policy.
http://www.symantec.com/about/profile/policies/ncwprivacy.jsp