symantec identified as spyware by ms antispyware

This message from our IT Security people was received today by us
administrators.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------

Microsoft just released a new Beta version of their AntiSpyware tool.
This tool is used to identify 'spyware' on a host machine and remove it
at the users discretion.

The latest version of their tool, which came out Thursday, identifies
Symantec Anti Virus as spyware and identifies it for removal. If the
user clicks on 'remove', the tool will delete a critical library file,
as well as most of the configuration information from the registry.
Norton is unable to recover from this state, and in-fact, will
repeatedly attempt to reinstall and fail.

This problem has been validated by ODIN with Symantec, and they have in
turn called Microsoft. There is no current fix.

We are recommending to all sysadmins and users to NOT install MS
AntiSpyware Beta, and in-fact, if it is installed, remove it
immediately. Do NOT initiate a scan using this tool, and do NOT use it
delete any spyware found on the box. If you have concerns about
spyware, please use trusted, production tools such as SpyBot Search and
Destroy or AdAware.

If you have already run MS AntiSpyware, and Symantec is not
functioning, please call your system administrator or ODIN
representative to resolve the issue. Be aware that your host will be
vulnerable during this period and you should restrict your usage of
e-mail and web browsing particularly until it's resolved.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Paging File Size
    ... During the process I get a window indicating that the Paging File ... check for and clean up any spyware from your computer. ... While this is a Beta product, with all of the attendant uncertainties ... Some people do have concerns that Microsoft, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)
  • Re: CA vs. Symantec vs. Microsoft
    ... > beta testing and Spysweeper has been able to remove spyware that was not ... I suspect that virtually all third party antispyware will find ... more false positives than Microsoft -- after all, ... the Microsoft is a beta in name only (it is a slightly modified ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: A question about MS Antispyware for use in Network environment
    ... > a final product or Release Candidate or another Beta period ... > information about the direction Microsoft is heading in the Antivirus ... newsgroups set up specifically for the Beta MS AntiSpyware app. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: symantec identified as spyware by ms antispyware
    ... | Microsoft just released a new Beta version of their AntiSpyware tool. ... | Symantec Anti Virus as spyware and identifies it for removal. ...
    (alt.comp.anti-virus)
  • Re: MS Antispyware
    ... >> user has the knowledge to deal with beta software. ... > AVERAGE USER, but a WAY BELOW AVERAGE COMPLETE COMPUTER DUMBASS WHO ... spyware would bring his computer to its knees every two ... >> detection, and clean up of spyware, and you say that MS Antispyware ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
Loading