Real World Computing
Simple, but not stupid
Norton annoyances
Talking of post-Christmas PC gift blues, I've been at the sharp end of family frustration concerning a laptop that came with a trial version of Norton Internet Security preinstalled. In theory, this is good because consumer computers being outfitted with protection from the start has to help ward off malware infection. However, this same laptop was being sold by the high-street retailer with a special offer from another security application, which promised a huge reduction on the year-one subscription price. Unfortunately, when said family member attempted to install this security solution, for which she'd now paid real cash, the install routine decided that the presence of the Norton security software (which she hadn't asked for) meant the install couldn't proceed. No problem - my relative is clued-up enough to hit the Vista control panel and remove the trial security suite. But she hadn't bargained for the ridiculous roadblocks Symantec throws in the way to prevent users from jumping ship: you might think it was a deliberate ploy to wear down the consumer and force them to stick with the software.
Needless to say, despite the Norton uninstall process being much improved compared with earlier versions, things didn't go to plan and, although it appeared to have uninstalled, the competitor's product still refused to install, citing the presence of another security product. Downloading the Norton removal tool from the Symantec support website did the trick, but it left me simmering with rage that one should have to waste hours downloading special tools from dark corners of support websites just to remove an application that wasn't even requested. Given the calibre of the Symantec development team and the money available thanks to its position at the top of the IT security food chain, you'd have thought this company could code an uninstall routine that actually uninstalls.
In fact, the whole affair annoyed me so much that the next time anyone asks me to recommend computer hardware, I shall tell them to look for some manufacturer which doesn't insist on preinstalling security software you don't want. Heck, a Windows machine with its OS firewall up and running provides enough protection while you install the security software of your own choice. One such vendor, I note, is Dell, which has responded to demands from its business customers to provide just such AV-free machines. Look for the advertising that boasts no trialware or virus protection installed.
It might seem strange for me - as a security evangelist - to be advocating buying "unprotected" PCs, but I firmly believe that the freedom to choose one's own preferred protection, without all this hassle, is the only sensible option.
