Symantec Refutes Adware Charges Against LiveConnect

Customers of the Symantec product line like Norton antivirus received a surreptitious install, leading to public outcry. The LiveUpdate feature downloaded and then set up another screen task titled LiveConnect, which was directly challenged as adware.

Failing to discover any further details about the package even after browsing Symantec's site, clients were forced to think that it was not a poorly masked advertising software that they had not agreed to take.

"It transferred and established itself yesterday evidently from LiveUpdate," wrote a client on a blog. Did Symantec just compel me to transfer and install an advertising device for them, that don't even inquire whether I want it? It simply installs itself?"

"Let me presume that it's some kind of adware Symantec forcing upon clients and that Symantec's strategy is to set up adware on clients' computers without their prior consent."

The list for LiveConnect would surface on customers' LiveUpdate dialog box, but without offering any hint about the package. Clients who installed LiveUpdate to run without user interface didn't receive any message about the software update.

Symantec swiftly refuted charges that LiveConnect had any link with adware, saying that it is an "essential" download since LiveUpdate isn't sufficiently strong. As per the firm, the software is planned to inform the client about latest wares and upgrades, and download varied patches like key program updates.

Rowan Trollope, the VP of Consumer Engineering at Symantec said: "Majority of the people are oblivious that they're eligible for these key upgrades. I don't think that clients would be furious if we didn't inform them."

"We're not attempting to market an adware," he said. LiveConnect is kind of an apprisal system that warns clients whenever a key upgrade is accessible for their Symantec package.

LiveConnect is going to become a permanent feature, so Symantec utilizers will simply have to adjust to the new-found software. Those incompatible to the thought of another program executing on their PCs can uninstall it and download the software updates themselves from Symantec's site.

» SPAMfighter News - 16-11-2006

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