Symantec, McAfee upgrade security software

October 24, 2008 By Andrew D. Smith

Security software has improved every year, but it has always operated on similar principles. Until now. New releases from Symantec Corp. and McAfee Inc. challenge fundamental assumptions about how security suites work.



Content from McClatchy-Tribune Information Services expires 90 days after original publication date. For more information about McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, please visit www.mctdirect.com .

Similar stories from PHYSorg:


Microsoft to release free antivirus PC software

created Sep 29, 2009 | popularity 2.9 / 5 (22) | comments 10

'Phishing' drops; are scammers switching tactics?

created Aug 26, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

A few pennies for your thoughts -- and credit card

created Apr 14, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Symantec Adds SMB Disaster Recovery Services

created Apr 18, 2007 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Don't fret about Conficker: Here's what to do

created Mar 31, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - 3.6 /5 (28 votes)

Rank Filter

Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

  • Ausjin - Oct 24, 2008
    • Rank: 3 / 5 (2)
    I usually go without virus protection and get rid of viruses myself after my system is infected, but I like this way of thinking. I will wait a while to see what others think through consumer reviews, but I may revisit the idea of having an anti-virus program on my computer in a year or so. Perhaps by then, there will even be free third party programs that operate the same way.
  • frajo - Oct 24, 2008
    • Rank: 2.3 / 5 (3)
    "And you will encounter malware."

    So I've been told for 15 years now.
    But I never have encountered malware - on my eComStation (aka OS/2) system.
  • paulthebassguy - Oct 24, 2008
    • Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
    "rather than repeatedly scanning unchanged files on your computer, it looks only at the tiny fraction of files that have changed since the last scan" - so, basically, all a potential virus writer would have to do is devise a way to make a file appear as though it hasn't changed for a while. Seriously, how hard could it be?
  • YouAreRight - Oct 24, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    Pathetic excuse for an advert.

    McAfee and Symantec have never been in the top anti-virus spots because they are and have always been useless.

    Enter NOD32, BitDefender and Kaspersky.
    The top three.

    "Even if you eliminate all delay between first spotting a virus and updating your database, there's still no way to protect against many unknown viruses"

    What a crock, that's what anti-viruses are meant to do, it's called Heuristics.
  • pravuil - Oct 25, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    Enter NOD32, BitDefender and Kaspersky.
    The top three.


    I agree with Kaspersky. When I used to use Windows, it was one of a couple of security apps I used to speak highly of. Problem I had with Norton was compatibility with the OS it was meant to be installed on. Too much bloat but at least they're trying to improve their product towards that direction.

    Pathetic excuse for an advert.


    meh, they have to inform their consumer base I guess.
  • Modernmystic - Oct 25, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    "And you will encounter malware."

    So I've been told for 15 years now.
    But I never have encountered malware - on my eComStation (aka OS/2) system.


    That's because if you're a crook or an agitator you don't write software that's only going to effect about a percent of the population....
  • CWFlink - Oct 27, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    I wonder to what degree these vendors are making noise now is because of the impact on OneCare on their revenues. ( onecare.com )

    I've been using this software for nearly two years now, monitoring the security of the desktop, media center, and two laptops at my home and my daughter's desktop 1200 miles away. It is cheaper than subscriptions to the other services if you have multiple PCs to secure.

    It seems to be a well integrated and virtually automatic system... the one annoyance is that I only need to be reminded about what it's done ONCE a day, not every time I log in!

October 24, 2008 all stories

Comments: 7

3.6 /5 (28 votes)
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this

  • hide
  • Related Stories

  • Netbooks start raising the stakes
    created Dec 18, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • US fixed drones hacked by Iraqi insurgents: Pentagon
    created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Microsoft, Google in battle to win over students
    created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Raytheon turns iPhones into battlefield tools
    created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Launch of first operating system for smart grid home automation
    created Dec 16, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0



  • hide
  • Relevant PhysicsForums posts

  • Vacuum Systems
    created 12 hours ago
  • non linear curve fitting
    created 21 hours ago
  • Importing form Proengineer to Ansys and or Comsol
    created 22 hours ago
  • COMSOL Help! Reflections of Thin film on the slab
    created 23 hours ago
  • More from Physics Forums - General Engineering

Other News

Google has a digital foothold in France

Google gets digital foothold in France

Technology / Internet

created 11 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Despite fierce resistance to Google's plans to digitise the world's books, observers say it is well placed to start scanning Europe's cultural treasures -- beginning in France, where the US giant got a digital ...


Hollywood adds money, talent to made-for-Web shows (AP)

Hollywood adds money, talent to made-for-Web shows

Technology / Internet

created 11 hours ago | popularity 2 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(AP) -- Web sites that buy original video clips often pay so little that "The Bannen Way," a flashy crime thriller debuting online, looked destined to be made poorly if it could be made at all.


The high speed train named Sapsan moves along the tracks at a station in Saint-Petersburg

Russian railways enter modern age with new express

Technology / Engineering

created 11 hours ago | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Famed for the legendary trains that clank across seven time zones on its Trans-Siberian railroad, Russia this week entered the modern railway age with its first high-tech express train.


Australian government to introduce Internet filter (AP)

Australian government to introduce Internet filter

Technology / Internet

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (19) | comments 9

(AP) -- Australia plans to introduce an Internet filtering system to block obscene and crime-linked Web sites despite concerns it will curtail freedoms and won't completely work.


Nissan Leaf

Electric cars rolling out

Technology / Energy

created Dec 16, 2009 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (14) | comments 6

(PhysOrg.com) -- Electric vehicles are far from new, but we are still a long way from electric cars being the norm. Now two new electric cars may bring that goal a step closer.