Do the companies that create anti-virus software spread/create viruses themselves to sell products?

Answer 1

That is a great question. I have often thought of that myself, because they have fixes for it the day a new one comes out. BTW, I am NOT a conspiracy wacko. I am a programmer and have been one for 33 years.

Answer 2

That smells of conspiracy theory. I'd like to think that at least the large anti-virus companies are working toward eliminating viruses. There is already enough panic out there about viruses and spyware that they wouldn't need to expand upon it by investing resources in creating viruses.

Answer 3

Legitimate big name companies don't do this. Trust me, I have seen too many viruses that not even Norton can figure out. Of course, there are a lot of smaller/shadier companies out there whos anti-virus software is nothing more than thinly disguised spyware, but anyone like Norton, Mcafee, and AVG, would not benefit from this kind of activity.

Answer 4

mcAfee has had that claimed against them besides as being no longer able to do away with their utility. Its why they are no longer doing so good. you won't be able to help yet think of how else can they discover or restoration a scourge in the event that they dont comprehend approximately it yet as others have suggested aftera jointly as faster or later it may get out basically seem on the vehicle makers & their spending of the bailouts. Many agencies do hire ex hackers to be protection professionals back nonetheless jointly as attainable no longer likely.

Answer 5

I have totally thought that myself! It's a conspriracy...I have no proof, nor will expend any energy, time or money researching OUR little theory, I choose to just live in ignorance and keep my beliefs :) Ha!

You let me know would ya :)
With Love - PP

Answer 6

Do Auto makers cause accidents so they can sell more cars?

Answer 7

I think it is quite possible.

Answer 8

I believe this claim in true. I bought a brand new system a year ago. from Dell. It came pre-installed with an eighteen month subsription of the Norton '05 Security Suite with Live Updates. I was a very new computer user at the time (I have learned a great deal since) and so purchased a Help Desk from Dell. They call it Dell on Call now and is nothign like what it was when I bought my contract.

Anyway, my Help Desk was a 24/7 any issue contract so I was instructed I did not need to buy any other company's help desk service as mine helped me with any issue with any software program and covered any issue possible from the smallest like learning how to install a program or remove a program, to use of programs, to crashes and virus removal etc.

Well, about five weeks after purchace the Norton Live Update failed and I was instructed I would have to manually update the program. I was also offered a Help Desk purchase from Norton to assist with their program. I did not need theirs due to Dell's plus I was angry this company was wishing to charge for tech support I thought should be part and parcel of using their software. I turned them down.

The next day a huge virus accessed my five week old system. So huge it wiped out the re-imaging system Dell uses as its main disaster recovery system. I had to re-install my OS. The Dell Help Desk technician adviced me to remove the Norton software and make sure to use a special cleanup tool I should request from Norton. Then go and purchase a different Security Suite. Dell did not state that Norton was the cause of this virus but the technician alluded to it and I strongly suspected Noton of doing so in order to convince me I "needed" their technical Help Desk.

I removed the Norton Program, with seventeen months of subscription still attached to it, and threw it in the garbage, then went to Staples to look for a different Security Suite. Dell has suggested McAfee.

While I was looking a Staples rep came and asked if he could assist me. I told him I was looking for a different Security Suite. Before I could explain what had occurred HE began telling ME what had happened on MY system. He told me exactly the steps which led up to the event what the event was, how unusual such a huge virus had inflitrated a new system without any reports in the news or web of such a huge virus, and that it had occurred right after Norton tried to get me to buy their Help Desk. I was floored. I had not said a word about any details of why I was looking for a new Security Suite.

I had suspected what Norton had done, but this exchange convinced me of it. I purchased the Panda Security Suite and just love it. I have not had one single instance of trouble, it gets rid of spyware, even troublesome cookies which are more than what cookies should be. It updates every single day. and integrates into my Outlook and Outlook express. It also integrates into my Instant Messeging Programs and any other inbound or outbound traffic, is compatable with WPA encryption on my Router, and even has Hueristic scans for unknown malware and viruses, continually scanning my system for odd behavior then isolating it and evaluating it even if it needs to be sent to the Panda Lab in order to do so. I feel so safe with this I have installed it on several family and friends computers and am probably never going to change to anything else, including the new Windows Live Safety Center version of Security System.

I firmly believe that at least Norton sends viruses or other malware to sell their products and makes it very difficult to get rid of their programs off of systems it is installed on. For months after even using the special "cleanup" tool, I was finding broken files fragments, and other hidden files left over in my system by Norton. It was a real hassle finding it all and removing it maually from my system.

Most people do not understand or have knowlege of how deeply Security Suites need to implant into systems to properly function and that this can lead to virus activity in and of itself. They do not know they need these special tools to (hopefullly) fully remove one of these programs from their systems, that the Add/Remove Applet is not adaqute in doing the job. They have problems due to this which they do not understand the cause of and fail to realize is fixable if they go to the trouble to force Norton or others like Norton to assist in removing all traces of their program from systems. Some of these fragments reactivate themselves and cause interferance with newly installed Security Suits replacing the one the thought was gone from the system.

I think it deplorable of these company's to get away with such business practices. I know that many virus writers write for the largest and most popularly used Security Suites, as some form of game in outsmarting these programs. I suppose they don't have anything better to do with themselves than wreck havoc upon unsuspecting users computers.

Panda also keeps out programs such as the Smily Central, which is a spyware program disguised as as "fun" application. Back when I was less educated I attempted to install Smily Central, and it told me I may have to deactivate my Security Suite in order to successfully install it. That should have been a warning! Panda kicked it out of my system as soon as I reactivated Panda, so I even removed Panda and installed it, then right after I re-installed Panda, Panda kicked it out of my system! Cool deal if you ask me, it protects idiots from themselves!! Ha-Ha! I realize now that other Security Suites would have allowed that program to stay on the sytem, but mine is a super power!

I am glad you posted this question as it may help others to become knowlegable of how at the very least Norton does do this sort of thing and they may watch out for it. They will also know they need a special tool to correctly and fully (hopefully) remove Security Suites, even good ones like Panda. When I have had to work on my system I sometimes needed to remove Panda, so Panda gives me a special tool. Then it is really gone without any traces left to muck up my system. Panda also has free 24/7 technical support for any reason help is needed. Free, not a single charge and there is not a long wait on hold either. Plus, you can actually understand what the technician is saying which is a strong point for me for any tech support team. I just hate it when I can't understand what the person on the other end of the phone is saying, especially when in desperate need for help.

Answer 9

i think so