It’s not often that we openly sympathize with the virii writers, but this time, it’s too good to be true. Rinbot Generation 7 is targeting Symantec [[SYMC]] and Symantec users – and that’s a good thing.\n<\/p>\n
Anyone using Symantec’s anti-virus software from 2006 and hasn’t updated it is vulnerable to a very powerful complete remote control<\/strong> vulnerability. What does Symantec have to say about it?\n<\/p>\n Users of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Symantec Client Security should apply the appropriate update as soon as possible, Vincent Weafer, a senior director at Symantec Security Response, said Tuesday. However, because there are no known attacks that exploit the flaw, the need to patch is not urgent, he added.\n <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That’s an excerpt from a c|net article<\/a> dating all the way back to May of 2006 – a year ago now. Thanks to Symantec’s non-chalance and Turner Broadcasting Systems’ (the owners of CNN) complete disregard for standard IT procedures, they were infected earlier today<\/a> by Rinbot<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rinbot’s nothing new, it’s an ancient virus that has found a new way of entering your PC: through Symantec’s software. Instead of viruses attacking Microsoft from left, right, top, and under for no truly good reason, here’s a virus that does some good in the world: it brings attention to a billion-dollar monopoly that has been gambling with the security of its users for years now.\n<\/p>\n What kind of anti-virus product only updates once a week (on Wednesdays). What kind of company labels a complete remote control vulnerability as “unimportant?” And most importantly, what kind of security company<\/strong> lets its product remain installed without updating?\n<\/p>\n Shame on Time Warner for hiring IT Guys that don’t know how to pick a decent anti-virus solution, and for being too thick to realize they need to manually update<\/strong> Symantec’s software. And shame on Symantec for doing this to its customers. Wake up people, Symantec’s not in it for your security, only your money.\n<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Symantec released a public press statement<\/a> that they were “confident users would see beyond the price” of their new 360 system protection software…. 2 days later: Symantec labels Yahoo! Desktop as a virus<\/a> – an “honest mistake.”\n<\/p>\n “There will definitely be some price sensitivity” on the part of users, said Mark Kanok, 360’s product marketing manager. “But the breadth and execution of Norton 360’s functionality is greater [than OneCare’s]. And I don’t think anyone should undersell the intelligence of users.”\n <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If anyone is underselling the intelligence of users, it’s Symantec. Can they really believe that people will forever remain enchanted by their flourescent yellow coloring and not immediately switch to better alternatives, chief of which is NOD32<\/a>?1<\/a><\/sup>\n<\/p>\n Anyone willing to bet how long the big yellow bubble grows until it pops? Or has it already?\n<\/p>\n Update: <\/strong>According to CNN<\/a>, the authors of Rinbot don’t want it called that, but we have no idea what they would like, so that’s why we’re using that name here.<\/p>\n NeoSmart Technologies recommends NOD32 for all home and business users’ AV protection needs. It really works. ↩<\/a><\/p><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It’s not often that we openly sympathize with the virii writers, but this time, it’s too good to be true. Rinbot Generation 7 is targeting Symantec [[SYMC]] and Symantec users – and that’s a good thing. Anyone using Symantec’s anti-virus … Continue reading \n
\n