Prompt's TechBlog
Symantec uses malware cloaking technique in its own software
12 January 2006
Posted by Sean McManus
As Sony BMG settles a class action lawsuit for its use of rootkits on computers, another company admits doing the same. This time, it's antivirus vendor Symantec, who should know better. We expect antivirus companies to protect us from stuff like rootkits, which can be used to hide malicious software on PCs. In the story at Eweek, Symantec claims it used a rootkit to stop people accidentally deleting files.
As Mark Russinovich, the discoverer of the Sony rootkit, points out: "When you use rootkit-type techniques, even if your intentions are good, the user no longer has full control of the machine. It's impossible to manage the security and health of that system if the owner is not in control."
# posted by Sean McManus at 10:17 AM 
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