Symantec's LiveConnect: Adware?

Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 10th November 2006
Comments (10) Digg Stumble
"If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck..." - Symantec says LiveConnect is not adware, despite its sneaky install.

"If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck..." - Symantec says LiveConnect is not adware, despite its sneaky install.

Users of the Symantec line of products such as Norton Antivirus got a quiet and sneaky little install last week which has had many people crying foul. The LiveUpdate feature pulled down and installed yet another background task entitled LiveConnect, which was questioned immediately as adware.

People had a bit of a right to be suspicious - the software downloaded with little warning. For those who set their LiveUpdate to confirm each install, the download popped up in a list of others, with absolutely no description. If the download was not accepted, other (presumedly) critical updates would not be installed. Those who let LiveUpdate just do its thing were not even informed of the new addition to their "Processes" menu.

Symantec was quick to deny that LiveConnect has anything to do with adware, stating that it is a "required" download because LiveUpdate is not robust enough. According to the company, the program is designed to update the user to new products and upgrades, and pull down larger-scope patches like major program updates. Symantec's VP of Consumer Engineering, Rowan Trollope, said:

"Most people don't even know they're entitled [to these major upgrades]. I would argue that customers would be angry if we didn't tell them."

Of course, people probably are more angry at the installation of secret, undisclosed software that supposedly does the exact same thing that another process is supposed to already be doing.

For those who would rather not enjoy the benefits that Symantec promises will come from LiveConnect, you will have to uninstall the software manually and without directions. In order to get the new "major updates" that LiveUpdate now cannot handle, you can go to Symantec's website and download them.

This leaves a lot of questions. First, if LiveConnect is so much better, why not replace LiveUpdate with it? And why make it such a quiet and behind-the-scenes update when even the most basic of program updates are clearly spelled out normally? Or is this just a vehicle to advertise upgrades and new products to its user base? And if so, isn't that the very definition of adware?

What do you think it's doing? Let us know your thoughts in our forums.
Quote Flibblebot 10th November 2006, 19:07
Is "presumedly" actually a word...;)
-- Why yes, it is! ;) -Da Dego

If it's such a useful install, why not shout about - something doesn't quite add up.

I haven't used Symantec/Norton for ages, because it's such bloatware, this is just another reason not to install it.
Quote Aankhen 10th November 2006, 21:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flibblebot
Is "presumedly" actually a word...;)
-- Why yes, it is! ;) -Da Dego
Not according to Oxford (it's not under presume either). :p dictionary.com is not a very reliable resource, it's just the most obvious one. :)
Quote DXR_13KE 10th November 2006, 22:34
isn't Symantec a virus?
Quote r4tch3t 10th November 2006, 23:53
Quote:
Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
isn't Symantec a virus?
I thought so too, just another process's to add to their mountain of existing ones.
Quote Tyinsar 11th November 2006, 02:38
Symantec / Norton was great in the days of DOS when only one program (and maybe a few TSRs) ran at a time but they never learned to play well with others. They still think they need (and deserve) total system control. I haven't installed it in years but I've UNinstalled many times.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
isn't Symantec a virus?
:)
Quote Shadowed_fury 11th November 2006, 03:37
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyinsar
Symantec / Norton was great in the days of DOS when only one program (and maybe a few TSRs) ran at a time but they never learned to play well with others. They still think they need (and deserve) total system control. I haven't installed it in years but I've UNinstalled many times.

:)

Couldn't agree more!
Quote plagio 11th November 2006, 09:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyinsar
Symantec / Norton was great in the days of DOS when only one program (and maybe a few TSRs) ran at a time but they never learned to play well with others. They still think they need (and deserve) total system control. I haven't installed it in years but I've UNinstalled many times.

:)

Yep, same here. Have to quote you
Quote mikeuk2004 11th November 2006, 11:33
My Sony laptops come with a free trial of norton. Problem is that I cant remove it without agreeing to its licence.

When I do a system restore on the laptop I get the pop up from norton asking me to agree to its licence. now I click disagree and it disapears until reboot when it re-apears. I go into control panel and do a remove and it wont let me uninstall it. It says I have to agree to is licence first. So there you have it. I have to agree to a licence I dont want in order to remove its software or if I disagree I have to put up with it on laptop and it chucking a notice in my face everytime I switch my laptop on asking me to agree.

It feels like a bullying tactic. Its my computer and I dont want it and they are forcing me to accept their licence in order to remove their software.


Anyone else had that??

I have been using NOD all this year which is far better.
Quote Boswell 11th November 2006, 11:40
I would just simply phone up Sony (Symantec will only say "because its an oem product you have to phone your computer producer and not us"). They should be able to tell you what to do.
Quote samkiller42 11th November 2006, 12:35
Why does this not surprise me?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyinsar
Symantec / Norton was great in the days of DOS when only one program (and maybe a few TSRs) ran at a time but they never learned to play well with others. They still think they need (and deserve) total system control. I haven't installed it in years but I've UNinstalled many times.

:)


This is soo true of many, could not agree with you any more than anyone esle has agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
isn't Symantec a virus?


This does not surprise me either.

Try and remove Norton through Add/Remove does work, to an extent, however theres still tonnes of **** left on your pc.

Sam
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