Symantec update bricks some PCs

Symantec, the maker of anti-virus software, has confirmed that an update to its popular Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 and Norton anti-virus software for businesses has caused some PCs to be bricked (inoperable) without servicing.

The update, for users with Microsoft Windows XP, caused an instant "blue screen of death," one that could not be fixed with a reboot.

So far, the company admits over 300 corporate customers have been affected and 60 consumer customers have seen the deadly BSOD.

Angry customers say it took Symantec hours to identify the bug, and that the company needed to send their own techs to fix the issue unless customers manually removed the software via a time-consuming process.

The company says the glitch was due to "software compatibility issues that arose after an update was released late on Wednesday." Symantec says it will "compensate" users.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 15 Jul 2012 22:30

JST1946

I never use Norton any more. I don't think I've used it in about 5 years or more.I also have free Mcafee with my ISP and don't use that either.The free 60 day trial version of Norton caused my PC to stop connecting to the internet after it expired.It took me all day to find what the problem was.Everything started working after I un-installed it.

20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

15.7.2012 22:36 #1

ROMaster2

The best Anti-Virus still is and forever will be common sense.

That, and using VirusTotal when in doubt.

15.7.2012 22:59 #2

ZippyDSM

I like Kasversky off Ebay :X

Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy!
Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/

16.7.2012 00:21 #3

Semperfipal

Originally posted by JST1946: I never use Norton any more. I don't think I've used it in about 5 years or more.I also have free Mcafee with my ISP and don't use that either.The free 60 day trial version of Norton caused my PC to stop connecting to the internet after it expired.It took me all day to find what the problem was.Everything started working after I un-installed it. Your story is almost identical to mine. I dumped Norton ages ago, and don't use McAfee either.

"Do not underestimate the power of an enemy, no matter how great or small, to rise against you another day." - Atilla

16.7.2012 09:47 #4

LordRuss

Originally posted by Semperfipal: Originally posted by JST1946: I never use Norton any more. I don't think I've used it in about 5 years or more.I also have free Mcafee with my ISP and don't use that either.The free 60 day trial version of Norton caused my PC to stop connecting to the internet after it expired.It took me all day to find what the problem was.Everything started working after I un-installed it. Your story is almost identical to mine. I dumped Norton ages ago, and don't use McAfee either. Symantec & McAfee... Both really just need to pack it in, piss on the fire & go home. Like you guys, 5+ years & never looked back. Any one of the top rated Free scanners, a good dose of common sense and most disasters can be avoided.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

16.7.2012 10:11 #5

ZippyDSM

I don't mind spending 30$ a year for kaspersky, I have nothing but trouble from freeware firewall stuff.

16.7.2012 10:12 #6

JST1946

Yeah it's worth it to spend a few bucks once a year than have a bunch of headaches.

20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

16.7.2012 11:31 #7

21Q

I'd have to agree with the other users. Norton and McAfee are just rubbish. And so long as you arent an idiot on the internet you'll be fine with any free antivirus.

Check out my "PS2 Slim Internal HDD" Its a slim ps2 with an internal hdd! Here
Also Check Out My "Pc In An Xbox" Mod. Theres a whole Pc inside of it! Here

16.7.2012 11:36 #8

JST1946

I have a free corporate edition of Norton when I worked for the Government and never use it.I wasn't impressed.

20 Year U.S.Army Veteran.Vietnam 1969-1972 101st Abn.Div.

16.7.2012 11:42 #9

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by 21Q: I'd have to agree with the other users. Norton and McAfee are just rubbish. And so long as you arent an idiot on the internet you'll be fine with any free antivirus. I dunno the free stuff has so many false positives its best for nubs to go with a cheap retail product.

16.7.2012 11:53 #10

lamain

I have always disliked Norton. I used AVG for a bit until they expanded the program to much now I use Microsoft Security Essentials. I have never been happier.

16.7.2012 12:21 #11

LordRuss

Originally posted by ZippyDSM: I dunno the free stuff has so many false positives its best for nubs to go with a cheap retail product. True, very true... I really want to tear what little hair I have left right out when i start getting the 'dinks & doinks' over virus' that aren't really there. But I'm also tired of getting of getting nickel & dimed to death by the annual purchases that seem to come a moth earlier each year as well.

Kind of like buying a new car. When was the last time you bought a (for instance) 99 that was actually built in 1999? Or in current events; a 2012 that was built in 2012. 2013s are rolling out & we ain't even close yet. Kinda leaves you wondering what kind of psychological game 'they're' playing.

Nothing to do with antivirus software, but 'what the hell...'

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

16.7.2012 12:27 #12

molsen

Originally posted by LordRuss: Originally posted by ZippyDSM: I dunno the free stuff has so many false positives its best for nubs to go with a cheap retail product. True, very true... I really want to tear what little hair I have left right out when i start getting the 'dinks & doinks' over virus' that aren't really there. But I'm also tired of getting of getting nickel & dimed to death by the annual purchases that seem to come a moth earlier each year as well.

Kind of like buying a new car. When was the last time you bought a (for instance) 99 that was actually built in 1999? Or in current events; a 2012 that was built in 2012. 2013s are rolling out & we ain't even close yet. Kinda leaves you wondering what kind of psychological game 'they're' playing.

Nothing to do with antivirus software, but 'what the hell...' My 2011 Truck was built in Jan of 2011. I agree. Norton had it's place, mostly with the utilities.

16.7.2012 12:40 #13

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by LordRuss: Originally posted by ZippyDSM: I dunno the free stuff has so many false positives its best for nubs to go with a cheap retail product. True, very true... I really want to tear what little hair I have left right out when i start getting the 'dinks & doinks' over virus' that aren't really there. But I'm also tired of getting of getting nickel & dimed to death by the annual purchases that seem to come a moth earlier each year as well.

Kind of like buying a new car. When was the last time you bought a (for instance) 99 that was actually built in 1999? Or in current events; a 2012 that was built in 2012. 2013s are rolling out & we ain't even close yet. Kinda leaves you wondering what kind of psychological game 'they're' playing.

Nothing to do with antivirus software, but 'what the hell...' Go to ebay and buy kaspersky for 20-30$, it beats doing anything else as far I can figure.

16.7.2012 12:44 #14

LordRuss

Originally posted by ZippyDSM: Go to ebay and buy kaspersky for 20-30$, it beats doing anything else as far I can figure. Gotta love that ebay...

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

16.7.2012 13:14 #15

empulse

Malware-Bytes, best antivirus ever. And if you get a virus that needs serious removal, then use Kapersky Boot Disc (i prefer 2008 version).

Norton has had it's source code stolen. So it no longer even matters if its on your PC, plus its just bloatware, same with Mcaffee.

16.7.2012 16:12 #16

Zoo_Look

Personally, I think that Norton and McAfee should be classified as virii themselves.

Prevent PC from functioning correctly ... check!
Phone home without informing users ... check!
Stealth install ... check!
Browser homepage/search-engine hijacking ...check!

20.7.2012 09:44 #17

Virgil_B

Originally posted by Semperfipal: Originally posted by JST1946: I never use Norton any more. I don't think I've used it in about 5 years or more.I also have free Mcafee with my ISP and don't use that either.The free 60 day trial version of Norton caused my PC to stop connecting to the internet after it expired.It took me all day to find what the problem was.Everything started working after I un-installed it. Your story is almost identical to mine. I dumped Norton ages ago, and don't use McAfee either. Same here, when Peter Norton sold his company it was all downhill from there.

20.7.2012 10:47 #18

ZippyDSM

I love my kaspserky I just hope they haven't sold out to the Russian mob desu. 0-o

20.7.2012 10:59 #19

ChappyTTV

Originally posted by empulse: Malware-Bytes, best antivirus ever. And if you get a virus that needs serious removal, then use Kapersky Boot Disc (i prefer 2008 version).

Norton has had it's source code stolen. So it no longer even matters if its on your PC, plus its just bloatware, same with Mcaffee. MBAM is not an AntiVirus product, never has been and never claimed to be such a thing. Maybe you should go to their forums and find out exactly what MBAM is. There you'll find myself and many others telling people just like you that you do in fact, need to have a proper AV product alongside of MBAM.

BTW, I use and HIGHLY recommend Eset NOD32 AV (not their ESS suite) and Comodo firewall.

20.7.2012 14:41 #20

Mr-Movies

Originally posted by JST1946: I have a free corporate edition of Norton when I worked for the Government and never use it.I wasn't impressed. That's funny because that is the better version to use but like you I don't care for it or McAffee.

Free packages don't protect you enough, which is why they are free, so I always pay for a good firewall-antivirus myself.

21.7.2012 01:01 #21

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