Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 now RTM

Today, I was checking the Symantec Endpoint forums [since I was beta testing SEP 12.1 CLIENT-only on a spare PC running XP Pro] and I read this post made by a Symantec employee named Paul Murgatroyd:

So, I suppose that all those companies that happen to have service agreements with Symantec will be able to get their hands on this new SEP version that now happens to be in tandem with Norton home user products since it includes nearly all the features that Norton has.



Regards,



Carlos

 

I think most people dont realize how much has changed with this product. If I had to compare it with the Norton products, its like comparing a Norton 2005 product (which was crap) with a Norton 2011 product. Day and night difference.

My favorite features would probably have to be the Reputation-based lockdown and ofcourse everyone's favorite SONAR.

I miss the password manager in the Norton products too much, else I would have tested Symantec EP longer.

 

Finally, was wondering when they were gonna implement their key features of their newest home product-line, though I'm more than sure the answer is stability.

 

Just to be clear, the 12.1 release is not yet shipping - the above announcement was an internal milestone. . . .

Yes, all customers with active subscriptions will be eligible for a free upgrade. The upgrade process from SEP 11 to SEP 12.1 will be a lot easier than it was for SAV 10 to SEP 11 - the experience will be closer to that of our maintenance releases.

Daniel Schrader
Symantec

 

The answer was more Manageability. Corporations tend to want to manage their clients more than home users.

 

So... it was not about FPs but the possibility for companies to keep track of their employees? I'm sorry but I don't quite understand hehe.

 

Looking forward to this product.

I just switched to SEP in anticipation of this upcoming version.

I get this software free based on my employer.... and now I'm finally going to take advantage of it.

It looks to be a very good product.

http://www.symantec.com/business/theme.jsp?themeid=sep12-beta

 

My favorite feature would have to be the ability to control what EVERY user in the enterprise is able to download using Insight reputation.

If I dont want anyone downloading something less than 1 week old... DONE.

If I dont want anyone downloading something that has been used by 1000 other users.. DONE.

If I dont want anyone downloading something that Symantec things hasnt built a good enough reputation.. DONE.

LOVE IT!

 

i am wondering if this include any of the new features in Norton 2012.

 

12.1 is now in the official released version list

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=releasedetails&key=54619

Release notes for 12.1
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=DOC4332&key=52788&actp=LIST

What's new in 12.1
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH163413
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=HOWTO55189

 

What's the exact version number of this release? Some say it's 12.1.601.4699 like the previous public beta. If that's the case I won't bother waiting for the trial.

//edit
The final version is supposed to be 12.1.671.4971 so I'll wait for the trial and try out.

 

Yes, you are right, it is 12.1.671.4971 for RTM
http://aka-community.symantec.com/connect/forums/sep-121-release

 

Sometimes i wonder why such a huge release dont have get a new version number bump to 13.

 

Press Release: Symantec Endpoint Protection 12 Provides Best Protection, Performance in Virtual Environments.

 

Should I be getting 12.1 when I hit "LiveUpdate" or do I need to do more?

I'm ready to get the benefits of all the new protection goodies..

I'm at version 11.0.5002.333

I'm a little worried now that my employer group might not get the new version...



Thanks,

-FTP

 

@Frank the Perv
No program updates do not come through LiveUpdate.

 

Yes. If that happened, it would be a disaster for some organizations who tightly want to control what is installed on their machines for regulatory and support purposes.

 

Is there a Symantec rep in this forum?

I'm stuck between my large organization and their implementation of SEP 12.1 for home use, and the Symantec call center.

My guys don't seem to know what they are doing, so maybe I can help them or go around them...

 

If you are using SEP as part of an organization, you should not upgrade your client before the org's SEP manager is upgraded. SEP Manager 11.x cannot manage SEP 12.1 clients.

No, you will not get the upgrade through liveupdate - the SEP administrator has to distrubute the package.

 

Hello,

To be able to download SEP 12.1, first your company may need to have “essential support renewal” contract with Symantec.

Secondly, you will not see SEP 12.1 on the list of downloadable software for your company at Symantec FileConnect site when you input your SEP 11.0.6 Serial # because you've got to upgrade that serial number from SEP 11.0.6 to SEP 12.1 using the Licensing Portal. [See a demo here that explains how to accomplish this: http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-upgrade-your-sep11-license-sep12-online ]


Once you do the steps outlined above, you may download SEP 12.1.
There, they have the full installer which includes SEPM [manager console which is meant to be installed on your Server, be it Win 2003 or Win 2008] and the SEP clients [SEP x86 and SEP x64]. The whole installer is 1.5GB size, thus it's huge and takes some time to download even through cable because it looks that the Symantec servers are overloaded.

Since I do not own a license for this software and my employer, right now is using McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.7i patch 4, I downloaded the SEP 12.1 TRIAL and installed the CLIENT ONLY. In one sentence: it's awesome ! I have to admit it even when I'm not a Symantec fan myself. I tested it against some exploits, fake AVs, trojans, and rootkits and it blocked everything I threw at it using SONAR and Insight.

I would be using it on some of my main home computers if I had a license, because you do not have to renew it annually as you would do with home user AV packages, and it updates automatically virus signatures everyday. Right now, I have it on my old test PCs only.


Hope this helps,



Carlos

 

I am wondering since it has all Norton's protection minus the consumer stuff, would it actually uses even less resources? ( Not that there is going to be a huge difference... just wondering )

 

There is a Endpoint Security.Cloud, What is that?

 

Its a managed version of NIS.

 

Thank you for your responses -- Carlos & dschrader.

My organization has a large contract with Symantec.... I'm guessing that we have their largest contract (but I dunno).

But I'm not sure if we have “essential support renewal.”

I sent dschrader an email offline... so hopefully he can assist me in getting to the bottom of this.

The 12.1 does look very good. I hope this works out... and I'll give a full report on the product if I do in fact get it.



-FTP

 

New Symantec Web Gateway 5.0 Stops Malware In Its Tracks

WEBWIRE – Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Integrated DLP protects sensitive information from leaving organizations

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – – Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) today announced the release of Symantec Web Gateway 5.0, a Web security solution that protects organizations against all types of Web-borne malware. Web-based attacks are a primary vector for malicious activity and a leading source of malware infections in the enterprise. With an integrated ability to act as an enforcement point for Symantec Data Loss Prevention, Symantec Web Gateway customers also have the ability to monitor and protect sensitive information being communicated across the Internet. In addition, customers have the flexibility to deploy the solution as either a virtual appliance or on physical hardware.

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Quotes

“Symantec Web Gateway provides so much more than just URL filtering. By blocking malware from entering our environment, we better protect our network and reduce downtime due to attacks coming in through the Web. In our beta testing, we are seeing the solution block dozens of threats per day.”
-- Mark Feeney, principal IT systems engineer, AMETEK

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http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=141323