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How to remove all trace of a program (Norton Internet Security)

M

mpc91

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 24, 2018
90
1
UK
i upgraded to catalina and Norton no longer works

it will not reinstall because it says it is still on my mac

i have removed the program and used the symantec tool to remove it though i still cannot install because it says it already installed.

i have contacted norton they cannot fix it either

i assume if i totally eradicate it from my computer all system files etc it will work

can someone please tell me how to do this as it will be usfull to know for the future?

thanks in advance
 
In the future, don't use garbage Symantec products on a Mac?

Sorry. Other than using their uninstall tool, I have no other idea. At this point either don't install it or do a clean install and then install it.

Honestly, I don't recommend their products on a Mac and barely on a PC. Too bloated and to prone to install issues as you have seen.
 
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jbachandouris said:
In the future, don't use garbage Symantec products on a Mac?

Sorry. Other than using their uninstall tool, I have no other idea. At this point either don't install it or do a clean install and then install it.

Honestly, I don't recommend their products on a Mac and barely on a PC. Too bloated and to prone to install issues as you have seen.
Click to expand...
im inclined to agree with you got any antivirus suggestions?
 
Malwarebytes and ClamXAV are generally considered decent. To my knowledge, they follow best practices.

If you have to remove software remains, I can recommend using Find Any File (shareware if downloaded from the website, paid if downloaded from the App Store) to look for files by developer name or product name (here e.g. “Norton”).
 
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I ran Linux and BSD for almost 20 years and never used anti-virus/malware tools. I have been running iOS since 2012 and OS X, now macOS, since 2014 and I've never used anti-virus/malware tools on those platforms either. I've never had any problems with any of the machines I've used.

Software will never be able to save the user from his or her self. The best practice is to adopt safe computing habits and you should be fine.

* Never click a link unless you know where it leads and you have a legitimate need for the resource
* Never give personal information to anyone unless you know who it is and they have a legitimate need for the information
* Never install anything unless you trust where it originated, what the app does and you have a legitimate need for the app
* Enable a firewall
* Use FileVault/encryption
* Never disable SIP
* Keep software up to date
* Use secure passwords and never reuse a password elsewhere
* Never leave your computer unattended
* Back up your data to at least two sources
 
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revmacian said:
* Never click a link unless you know where it leads and you have a legitimate need for the resource
* Never install anything unless you trust where it originated, what the app does and you have a legitimate need for the app
Click to expand...

This is good practice, but only in addition to a malware scanner. You cannot count on your strategy alone:
  1. Perfectly legitimate websites have been compromised before. So even trustworthy sources cannot really be trusted.
  2. There are examples of software pressed onto discs and sold in retail stores that were compromised with malware because the disc replication computer was infected.
  3. Sophisticated malware wants to remain hidden, so by design it is not noticed by the user. I think of this whenever someone says they never had a computer virus. I wonder how many people right now think they are malware free, but are actually infected.
 
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ActionableMango said:
This is good practice, but only in addition to a malware scanner. You cannot count on this strategy alone:
  1. Perfectly legitimate websites have been compromised before. So even trustworthy sources cannot really be trusted.
  2. There are even examples of software pressed onto discs and sold in retail stores that were compromised with malware because the disc replication computer was infected.
  3. Sophisticated malware wants to remain hidden, so by design it is not noticed by the user. I think of this whenever someone says they never had a computer virus. I wonder how many people right now think they are malware free, but are actually infected.
Click to expand...
1. Then malware scanners shouldn't be trusted either. To be honest, if I were a hacker, the first type of software I would infect would be malware scanners.. because they are popular.

2. Never trust any software that didn't come directly from the creator.

3. It really depends on the payload and goal of the malware. A virus, by its nature, is designed to replicate and do as much damage as possible, so it will eventually be detected. Keyloggers, on the other hand, are designed to remain hidden because their goal is to obtain information. But, you make a very good point.

I'm sorry, but I cannot agree on a malware scanner. I've been using computers for over 20 years and never used any type of malware scanner. But, then again, one of the first things I do when I start using a new system is educate myself about how and why it works.
 
revmacian said:
1. Then malware scanners shouldn't be trusted either. To be honest, if I were a hacker, the first type of software I would infect would be malware scanners.. because they are popular.

2. Never trust any software that didn't come directly from the creator.

3. It really depends on the payload and goal of the malware. A virus, by its nature, is designed to replicate and do as much damage as possible, so it will eventually be detected. Keyloggers, on the other hand, are designed to remain hidden because their goal is to obtain information. But, you make a very good point.
Click to expand...
  1. That's probably happened. But those people live and breath malware so are much more likely to recognize and respond quickly than other software distributors.
  2. That is meaningless when a website can be compromised and malicious file put in place of the real one. For a real example Linux Mint's website was hacked and who knows how many people downloaded the compromised ISO with a backdoor, thinking it was safe because it was from the source.
  3. No, viruses used to be designed to do as much damage as possible, but that's really old school thinking. It's not very profitable to wreck your computer. The evolution of malware requires that today it stays unnoticed. Better to put your computer to work quietly making money than it is to destroy. It can participate in DDOS attacks, slurp up your data, slowly mine coin, relay spam, and countless other things.
revmacian said:
I'm sorry, but I cannot agree on a malware scanner. I've been using computers for over 20 years and never used any type of malware scanner. But, then again, one of the first things I do when I start using a new system is educate myself about how and why it works.
Click to expand...

These best practices you list are very good best practices, but there are key flaws in relying on them alone. Maybe you can make up for those key flaws with your knowledge and experience, but I'd argue that the masses cannot. Thus the best practices alone are not sufficient for most people, and running without anti-malware is not good general advice.
 
ActionableMango said:
These best practices you list are very good best practices, but there are key flaws in relying on them alone. Maybe you can make up for those key flaws with your knowledge and experience, but I'd argue that the masses cannot. Thus the best practices alone are not sufficient for most people, and running without anti-malware is not good general advice.
Click to expand...
The greatest problem with running a scanner is that it lulls a user into a false sense of security; "Why should I learn anything about the system when a professional scanner can do everything for me?" If a person begins to learn about their computer, and then remembers that they have a scanner watching their back they will more likely choose not to go too deep into safe computing habits because they have a backup.. the scanner.

No malware scanner can save a user from their own ignorance. We must strive to remove ignorance from the equation.
 
When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:
https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash. You might need to enter your password.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!

I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.
 
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mpc91 said:
i upgraded to catalina and Norton no longer works

it will not reinstall because it says it is still on my mac

i have removed the program and used the symantec tool to remove it though i still cannot install because it says it already installed.

i have contacted norton they cannot fix it either

i assume if i totally eradicate it from my computer all system files etc it will work

can someone please tell me how to do this as it will be usfull to know for the future?

thanks in advance
Click to expand...
As you have already "uninstalled" Norton, AppCleaner unfortunately will be useless.

Your only option is to clean the leftovers manually:

1. In Utilities, Activity Monitor find (if any) "Symantec" and "Norton", Quit Process, Force Quit.
2. In System Preferences, Users and Groups, Login Items find (if any) Symantec/Norton entry and delete it.
3. Using EasyFind (look for "Symantec" and "Norton") find all entries (leftovers) and delete them.
4. Reboot.

Good luck!
 
Ulenspiegel said:
As you have already "uninstalled" Norton, AppCleaner unfortunately will be useless.

Your only option is to clean the leftovers manually:

1. In Utilities, Activity Monitor find (if any) "Symantec" and "Norton", Quit Process, Force Quit.
2. In System Preferences, Users and Groups, Login Items find (if any) Symantec/Norton entry and delete it.
3. Using EasyFind (look for "Symantec" and "Norton") find all entries (leftovers) and delete them.
4. Reboot.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
tried this and still it doesent work any more ideas? this has gone beyond norton for me know as i probably will not use it again anyway, just wondering where the hidden folder is that i cannot delete thats stops me re installing
 
you may have to manually hunt down Symantec/Norton files within your OS, some key areas to check:

/Library/
and within there check:
Application Support
Caches
Extensions
Input Manager
Internet Plug-ins
LaunchAgents (looking for something similar to com.symantec)
LaunchDaemons
Plugins
Preferences
PrivateFrameworks

additionally check similar folders in your user Library ~/Library/

I think Symantec also installs in the /System/Library/Extensions/ folder (which is probably why it doesn't also work in Catalina, that area is restricted)

and depending on what type of application settings there were, there may be Safari or other browser plug-ins.


Have you tried the uninstaller from this page:
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080427024142EN

I opened the command in Xcode and it looks like it should remove pretty much everything related to a consumer Norton/symantec install. there are a lot of hidden files scattered.

it would almost be worthwhile to just erase and re-isntall without all the crumbs behind of these security suites. honestly with macOS and especially Catalina, security is really robust and the use of these are not really needed. instead make sure your home network is secured and maybe if you want to get technical there, get a good firewall.
 
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