Norton Services

[Crgky127]

Norton is offering phone and online computer services, such as malware removal, PC tune up, and greenifying. I have the opportunity to test out the tune up for free. I am going to image an XP machine, (maybe do a clean install,)mess it up, test the service, then image it back. What should I do to mess it up?

This is from the brochure (4x10 card folded to 4x5):

Front:
Talk with an expert who gets your computer running like new.
Norton PC Tune-up Service
FREE (reg. MSRP $69.99)

Inside top:
Expert 24x7 diagnoses of issues affecting your PC's performance
10-point performance service conducted by your Norton expert to repair your PC over the Internet
Personalized help tailored to your needs from the leader in computer security and performance
Service takes about 30 minutes
Call xxxxxxxx

Inside bottom:
There's a card stuck to it with phone number and promo code

So, what performance problems would be worth 70 bucks to fix in 30 minutes? A big plus would be if I could see precisely which registry changes etc they made.

First up I'll set every IM client I can find to start up upon log in.

 

[nonchalant]

Visit heaps of porn sites w/o an antivirus installed

Seriously though, I wouldnt use norton...

 

[Crgky127]

I don't trust them either, which is why I am going to image the machine back after I have analyzed their results. But I'm going to check out the service all the same.

 

[TimeCode]

Need Viruses?

I don't trust them either, which is why I am going to image the machine back after I have analyzed their results. But I'm going to check out the service all the same.

I think we'd all like to see what you have to say about the results... Should we send you .zipped virus infections? Though up to now I haven't saved any, I certainly can if it would help you.

 

[koonter]

use vmware

 

[NYJimbo]

Definitely infect it with virtumonde and smitfraud. Try to install any programs that load crap into the system tray or remain resident like AOL instant messenger and RealAudio with ALL options turned on. Also try to install APPLE's itunes and turn on anything to let it eat up memory. Turn off write caching on the drives if it has them. Set the system security in the browser to as low and lame as you can. Go into services and turn on (automatic) anything that is manual or disabled. Really load the hell out of it.

 

[abe]

HA HA HA i would install norton antivirus and uninstall it without using the removal tool ofcourse

 

[Crgky127]

No malware, as that wouldn't be covered under the 30 minute tuneup, it's under the more expensive malware removal service which I don't have free trial for.

So basically I'll turn on as much crap as possible. I'll look up some XP tweaking guides and do the opposite haha.

Thanks for the itunes tip NYJImbo.

 

[Bryce W]

Awwww. I would have liked to see Antivirus2008 installed and see how they handle it.
Anyway, how about some host file entries that direct everything back to 127.0.0.1?

 

[Crgky127]

Hehe be my guest.
I think that would probably be covered under the spyware department, plus it needs to connect to symantec servers.