Norton Mobile Security app for Android has a Chinese digital signature??

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by bmcewan, Nov 15, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. bmcewan

    bmcewan Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Posts:
    2
    Location:
    US
    I've been testing this free Google Play Signature app on my Android devices. It displays installed apps based on the information in each app's digital signatures. I was really surprised to see that Symantec's Norton Mobile Security app for Android is signed with a digital certificate from China. Given the extraordinarily long list of permissions that this app uses, the signature is of some concern.

    Does anyone know the story with software development at Symantec? Have they outsourced some development to China? Inquiring minds want to know...

    Screenshot:
    http://lh6.ggpht.com/6Dg49cWsWC0xkM75WvBUCqknDc08dliYK5zK6QYv-iG4jOtmsgNemgZ_htho0Cp7Sg=h900
     
  2. vojta

    vojta Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2010
    Posts:
    830
    I'm totally concerned! I don't want a Chinese backdoor in my device, only all-American ones!!!
     
  3. bmcewan

    bmcewan Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Posts:
    2
    Location:
    US
    LOL. Everyone probably has a different country that they are paranoid about.

    But this product isn't just an antivirus, it's a mobile device finder, remote lock, etc. So it tracks your location, can take pictures of you in stealth, read your contacts, email and text msgs, impersonate you and send email or text in your name, draw on top of other apps, etc. Like I said, the developer country was surprising, but it's the combination of country and the longest list of Android permissions that I've ever seen.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2013
  4. siketa

    siketa Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2012
    Posts:
    2,718
    Location:
    Gaia
    Are those signed by NSA?
    :D
     
  5. stuart99

    stuart99 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2013
    Posts:
    1
    Interesting find!! By the way, this is the list of Android permissions for Norton Antivirus:

    android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
    android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
    android.permission.ACCESS_LOCATION_EXTRA_COMMANDS
    android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
    android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
    android.permission.BATTERY_STATS
    android.permission.BLUETOOTH
    android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN
    android.permission.BROADCAST_STICKY
    android.permission.CALL_PHONE
    android.permission.CAMERA
    android.permission.GET_PACKAGE_SIZE
    android.permission.GET_TASKS
    android.permission.INTERNET
    android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS
    android.permission.MOUNT_FORMAT_FILESYSTEMS
    android.permission.MOUNT_UNMOUNT_FILESYSTEMS
    android.permission.READ_CALENDAR
    android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG
    android.permission.READ_CONTACTS PPP
    android.permission.READ_LOGS
    android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
    android.permission.READ_SETTINGS
    android.permission.READ_SMS
    android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
    android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS
    android.permission.RESTART_PACKAGES
    android.permission.SEND_SMS
    android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
    android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
    android.permission.WRITE_CALENDAR
    android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG
    android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS
    android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
    android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
    android.permission.WRITE_SMS
    com.android.browser.permission.READ_HISTORY_BOOKMARKS
    com.android.browser.permission.WRITE_HISTORY_BOOKMARKS
    com.android.vending.BILLING
    com.maf.ce.usage
    com.sec.android.provider.logsprovider.permission.READ_LOGS
    com.sec.android.provider.logsprovider.permission.WRITE_LOGS
    com.symantec.permission.ACCESS_NORTON_SECURITY
    com.symantec.permission.UNLOCK
     
  6. De Hollander

    De Hollander Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2005
    Posts:
    718
    Location:
    Windmills and cows

    :thumb: :)
     
  7. vojta

    vojta Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2010
    Posts:
    830
    I use a HIPS on my computer and I always grant all privileges and permissions to whichever antivirus or any other security software that is installed on my system. If you can be attacked anywhere in your system the antivirus must be able to access any part of it. It's natural that an antivirus asks for every single permission available.
     
  8. Vladimyr

    Vladimyr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2009
    Posts:
    461
    Location:
    Australia
    I was misled by the Title. I was expecting to see the digital signature in Chinese characters!
     
  9. Taliscicero

    Taliscicero Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    Posts:
    1,439

    所以你說我的防毒軟體是壞因為其來自中國嗎?你知道中國是偉大的文明正確,不應立即不信任。
     
  10. Vladimyr

    Vladimyr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2009
    Posts:
    461
    Location:
    Australia
    I was just making a joke about the title of this thread. I have no reason to distrust software on the basis of it's country of origin.
     
  11. Taliscicero

    Taliscicero Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    Posts:
    1,439
    I was making a joke, about your joke about the title.
     
  12. 93036

    93036 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2011
    Posts:
    110
    Nonetheless, I won't use it or any chinese designed software that "phones home" on an internet enabled device.
     
  13. Macstorm

    Macstorm Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2005
    Posts:
    2,642
    Location:
    Sneffels volcano
    Why the concern? Aren't we living in a globalized world? :D
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.