Linux Netbook Bundled With Norton 360

[ Thanks to An
Anonymous Reader for this link. ]

Reader Mark Scott submitted this interesting variation
on Linux OEM netbooks: this one is bundled with Symantec’s Norton
360.

Symantec’s Norton 360 is an all-in-one anti-virus anti-phishing
anti-spyware anti-botnet pro-firewall, backup and restore, the
kitchen sink, and much more. Annual subscriptions cost $79.99.

Comet sells a nice-looking
Toshiba NB100-11R netbook that comes with “Linux”. It does not
say which Linux, but the customer reviews reveal that it is Ubuntu
Netbook Remix.

Now check out the Accessory tab. There is it, helpfully checked
for you as a Pre-selected Accessory, an option to include Norton
360 for only 59.99 pounds:

“Pre-selected Accessory
This item will be added to your order so your machine can protect
itself against viruses, spyware and online threats. Norton 360 also
allows you to backup files and tune up your computer optimising its
performance.”

I’m sure you fine readers are way ahead of me– no, Norton 360
does not run on Linux, even if you did want it.

The product pages for Norton are interesting in several ways.
One, they’re messes of bad scripting and overlapping text, and they
take forever to load on every Web browser I tried (Opera, Firefox,
Konqueror.) Two, they work very hard to make “PC” mean “Windows
PC”. Three, check out their pitch
for Mac customers, “What is “iBotnet”?”:

“Are Mac users under attack?
The short answer, no. Users of Macintosh computers continue to have
little to fear from viruses, trojans and worms so long as they take
reasonable precautions. However…”

I love yes-buts. So the moral is, watch out for those helpful
extras!

Complete Story

Editor’s
Note: Desperation, Scare Tactics, and Happy Memorial Day!(May
22, 2009)
Malware
found on brand new Windows netbook(May 22, 2009)
Microsoft
Wants to Make Something Out of Nothing to Fight GNU/Linux(Mar
09, 2009)
Follow up:
How to write a Linux virus(Feb 12, 2009)
How to
write a Linux virus in 5 easy steps(Feb 11, 2009)
Kaspersky
confirms hack with fingers firmly in ears(Feb 09, 2009)
Kaspersky
database exposed(Feb 09, 2009)
Virus
Hits Nearly 75% of Systems on Afghanistan Military Base(Dec 02,
2008)