Norton Plans to Go Beyond the PC
By Harry McCracken | Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 12:40 am
Symantec’s Norton product line has been all but synonymous with utilities designed to fix PC problems since Peter Norton himself wrote some of the first utilities shortly after the IBM PC was released in 1981. Now the company’s announcing a big initiative to bring its software and services to devices other than Windows PCs and Macs–phones, set-top boxes, and just about anything else that connects to the Internet. It’s calling its plans Norton Everywhere, and they involve a variety of new releases.
Today’s Norton is best known for its security products, but Symantec isn’t contending that malware presents a major threat to post-PC devices–at least not yet. So Norton Everywhere involves a bunch of different offerings designed to give people more control over their data and gear.
The initiative is kicking off with:
Norton Connect. This is a utility for iPhones and Android handsets, that provides access to files backed up using Norton Backup on PCs and Macs.
Norton Security for Android. Another Android app–one that does include a malware scanner, but also has a remote wipe utility that lets you destroy data on a lost or stolen phone, a call-blocking utility, and a program to prevent you from accidentally incurring roaming charges.
Norton DNS. Symantec will compete with OpenDNS and Google Public DNS by offering a free Domain Name System (DNS) service that you can configure as a substitute for the one used by your broadband ISP and/or wireless carrier. The company is partnering with DNS specialist Dyn to offer the service, and says it’ll be faster than default DNS options and will filter out dangerous sites (such as ones infested with malware or used for phishing) and potentially objectionable ones. Since the service sits in between the Internet and Internet-connected devices, it’ll work with computers, phones, and anything else that connects to the Internet; Symantec plans to offer configuration utilities for PCs and Android phones when the service launches.
All of the above will be available in June. Symantec also says it’ll work with a company called Mocana to put the technologies from Symantec’s Live Update service into devices such as smart TVs, game consoles, and e-readers that receive over-the-air firmware updates.
One of the nice things about mobile gizmos and consumer electronics products is that they tend to need less of the troubleshooting, repair work, and general babysitting that’s been Norton’s stock in trade for so long. That’s why earlier attempts by PC utility companies to go beyond the PC usually haven’t gone much of anywhere. (Anyone but me remember McAfee’s anti-malware for Palm OS from a decade ago?) Symantec’s moves aren’t super-ambitious, but they sound logical enough. It’ll be interesting to see where they go–and may the day never arrive when we need to run Norton 360 on our phones, tablets, and TVs.
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May 27th, 2010 at 1:49 am
I am probably one of a large segment of the market that will still not buy or recommend a norton product as for me it would be like returning to an abusive relationship.Norton branching off into other categories when they still haven’t got their core product right , well , good luck with that , and good luck for prospective purchasers.
May 27th, 2010 at 2:07 am
To Richard Pascoe: You’re not alone!
David Freer (VP, Symantec Consumer Business Units – Norton, APJ) is a BIG LIAR! He lied to me for more than two and half years for my true feelings, time, and money. Also kept saying I am the only one in his life. Even this year on Feb. 2, he used company line to lead me to have phone sex with him. Until I found out there’s some other woman, he made up another lie and finally admitted he’s been living with her for a year. Later, I realized they were all lies. He actually has married March 2009. And now he just totally disappeared and not answering any phone calls, acting like “hit & run” irresponsible baby. Can you trust someone like this, with no ethics and integrity? The more unbelievable things are David Freer newly-wed wife – SUZY WALSHAM, she shamefully admitted she was the third person who broke up David Freer & his ex 12 years relationships, and mocking at me as the 3rd “unsuspected” person, as she agreed with his husband’s behaviors!!!!!! SHAME ON both of you, DAVID FREER & SUZY WALSHAM!!!!!!! (THEY BOTH WORK FOR SYMANTEC)
May 27th, 2010 at 2:08 am
As I have reported to Symantec Ethics about David Freer’s (VP, Symantec – Norton, APJ) misconducts (fraud, having dissented sex with me as he lied, using company resources for personal benefits – hundreds hours phone calls, hanging out with me during office hours, negative impacts on Symantec corporate image), what they do surprise me too. They basically ignore – never process the investigation, covering the serial lying & cheating criminal up, then threaten me. As Warren Buffet said when he decides which company is worth to invest, he values the CEO’s ethic and integrity the most. Being a senior management, David Freer shall walk the talks, instead he has set up a terrible example. How dare Symantec always campaign the company itself as defeat cyber criminals, but in the real world, Symantec acts just like robbers, mafia, & criminals. How ironic!
May 27th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Besides, do you know how hurtful it is? I’ve been thinking about committing suicide everyday and every second. Not to mention, crying all the times. 30 pounds loss. can hardly walk to the outside, and all the humiliation & harshness I have been taken behind the scene. I can survive till now, only because I took lots of medicines everyday. Can you understand the suffering?
And I have no ideas how he can get pastor wife’s email address? through hacking into my email account? Did he sound sorry? or threatening? How dare of him to talk about God now. And what a sneaky liar! “IF I FLIRTED?” What does that mean? He said “I am hard. Are you wet? I like to use my tongue to lick you ……….
And I don’t even have the chance to slap him or yell at him on the face or through the phone. They are the ones who made the mistakes, also the ones yelled at me and threatened me. There are no three of us needed to pick the pieces of the mess. ONLY ME. He totally recovered and has been doing lots of publicities. It seems like he’s doing this to @#$%&! me off or to hurt me more by saying “see, I am OK. The company didn’t mind. Suzy didn’t mind. If you wanna die, it’s not my business.”
寄件者: David Freer
主旨: RE: this is the way you say sorry?
副本: lily
日期: 2010年2月16日,二,下午2:20
Firstly I apologise to both you and the pastors wife for having dragged you into a very large mess in my life.
I again very sincerely apologise for the hurt and damage I have done to you. I understand that your trust in men and your feelings are destroyed.
If I flirted with you on February 2nd then I did not mean to do that, I also apologise – it was never my intention to do that.
David
From:
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:00 PM
To: David Freer
Cc: lily
Subject: RE: this is the way you say sorry?
Have you thought from the beginning all i want is a sincere apology? but you wouldn’t give it to me.
If i want a revenge, i would do it a week ago – to tell suzy, to tell janice, to tell people who work at symantec.
— 10/2/16 (二)，David Freer 寫道：
寄件者: David Freer
主旨: RE: this is the way you say sorry?
收件者:
副本: lily
日期: 2010年2月16日,二,上午6:14
God talks about compassion, if you have any it is time to allow all three of us to pick up the pieces of this mess and move on with our lives.
David
From: Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 11:34 PM
To: David Freer
Subject: this is the way you say sorry?
i don’t know what you told suzy about to let her believe you & even say @#$%&! off on me. it shall be me to say @#$%&! off on you!
May 27th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
???: Suzy Walsham
??: RE: Our common friend – David Freer (you deserve to know the truth & facts)
??: 2010?2?17?,?,??2:30
He lied then – he left Kristina for me. We started dating straight away, in August 2005. We broke up a few times when I realised he was still in regular contact with Kristina, but we have been together non-stop since August 2006. I am sorry to say, but he had an affair with you – he didn’t want you to know about me because he was scared you would try to contact me. I am very interested in seeing the emails that he wrote to you – seeing as he is making out he was never serious about you. ________________________________________
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 2:26 PM
To: Suzy Walsham
Subject: RE: Our common friend – David Freer (you deserve to know the truth & facts)
i questioned him about this too. he denied you are the one who broke up his previous relationships. I am 3rd unsuspected one? So, you can tolerate this, then I have nothing to say. good luck!
— 10/2/17 (?),Suzy Walsham ??:
???: Suzy Walsham
??: RE: Our common friend – David Freer (you deserve to know the truth & facts)
??: 2010?2?17?,?,??2:18
By the way, you were the 3rd unsuspecting person from the beginning. David broke up with Christina to be with me. We have been together many years. He asked me to marry him in July 08 and we got married in March 09.
May 27th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
???: ethics@symantec.com, Taryn_Bogonovich@symantec.com, Rebecca_Ranninger@symantec.com, Janice_Chaffin@symantec.com, symantec@alertline.com
??: dfreer@symante.com
Besides, who are you? Why would you cc copy the letter to the same email account? isn’t it weird? How would I know you are not a fake one.
Regards,
— 10/2/27 (?),
??: RE: or something even worse!
???: “Ethics”
??: 2010?2?27?,?,??11:52
To whom it may concern,
I believe I have the right to know the results of the investigation and the approiately steps you’ve taken as you mentioned. Then, only in that case, I would call it the final communication on this matter.
???: Ethics
??: RE: or something even worse!
???:
??: “Ethics”
??: 2010?2?27?,?,??7:04
This is to notify you that in regard to your complaint to the ethics hotline, the Company has completed its investigation, taken appropriate steps and considers the matter closed. Additionally, we consider this to be the final communication on this matter.
Thank you.
The Office of Ethics & Compliance
May 29th, 2010 at 10:42 am
yeah, Norton bloatware on more devices. /sarcasm
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:54 am
@strelaoz
Might I suggest some therapy?
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:29 pm
To Jbarrie,
Thank you. It’s very kind of you. I’m touching…
I am seeing a therapy & take 7 pills already (two anti-depressions to prevent me from taking suicide).
Actually, I’m tearing now, while I saw your message. God bless you, you must be a very nice & warm person. Thanks a lot.