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Symantec NAV makes Macs less secure

updated 09:10 am EST, Thu December 22, 2005

Symantec NAV exploit found


After attempts earlier this year to encourage Mac users to that all versions of Norton Anti-Virus (NAV), including the version for Mac OS X, contain the security vulnerability and has yet to issue a patch to fix the issue; however it has updated its scanning signatures to look for applications that try to exploit the vulnerability, according to the report.

The columnist, however, considers the irony in the 'protection' offered to Mac users against a perceived set of security threats: "As the owner of a Powerbook I am faced with a dilemma. Do I pay AU$118.15 for a flawed 'security' application that is designed to protect me from threats that do not seem to exist; or do I take sensible precautions like keeping my computer behind a firewall and staying up to date with OS X patches?"


by MacNN Staff

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Comments

  1. ajbaker

    Registered User

    Joined: Mar 2001

    0
    12/22, 09:28am | report spam | Reply |

    oh the irony

    oh the joyful irony

  1. Peter Bonte

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    12/22, 09:40am | report spam | Reply |

    Great

    What to do when the first virus or exploit hits the Mac, install or remove NAV ? choices choices :/

  1. jhorvatic

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2005

    0
    12/22, 09:42am | report spam | Reply |

    OSX patches

    Take the OSX patches and you will definately be more secure.

  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    0
    12/22, 09:45am | report spam | Reply |

    Why bother?

    If you don't use MS Office, is there any reason for virus protection?

    Even if you do use Office, turn off automatic macro execution. Where's the threat?

  1. l008com

    Addicted to MacNN

    Joined: Jan 2000

    0
    12/22, 12:34pm | report spam | Reply |

    Everyone

    everyone knows you must avoid norton utilities for os x. that is old news. this is a very funny and ironic story though

  1. macsfromnowon

    Junior Member

    Joined: Oct 2003

    0
    12/22, 09:17pm | report spam | Reply |

    NOW everyone KNOWS...

    Perhaps this latest Symantec disgrace will serve as to make the NAV experience anathema.

    Who says there are no viruses for Macs: there's always NAV - and if you pay for it you can be sure to enjoy the uniques of the ONE virus available for OS X :D

  1. Titanium Man

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Mar 2001

    0
    12/22, 09:31pm | report spam | Reply |

    Norton s*cks

    ...for lack of a better word. All things Norton should be avoided by Mac users. None of Symantec's Mac software works right and I'm supposed to trust these guys to keep me safe? This is why I laugh whenever Symantec "warns" of an OS X "virus" or "trojan." They're nothing but a bunch of scaremongers and demagogues.

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