Norton AV-2007 disables ODBC in Access 2007

[David John]

I recently installed Norton Anti-Virus 2007 upgrade. Bad idea, here's why.

Much to my extreme annoyance, I found that I was no longer able to link to
newly created SQL-Server tables or views using ODBC (existing linked tables
seemed to work OK). In other words the ODBC feature in Access 2003 was
disabled (I verified all this with another computer in my office with a
similar configuration as my own.).

I couldn't find any way to shut down NAV-07 and turning off its various
levels of protection didn't work either so I had no choice but to uninstall
the program. Norton's technicians in India had no clue (big surprise) and
wanted to charge me an additional 40 bucks to diagnose my network
connections (screw that) so I dumped the program even though I am a long
time user.

Now maybe deep in Norton's help files laid the answer but everything about
it seemed counter intuitive and the program itself appeared terribly
invasive and disdainful of the average user so I would NOT recommend getting
this upgrade.

So if Norton is complaining that Microsoft is shutting them out of the
security features in the upcoming Vista then based on this upgrade I think
that's probably an excellent idea.

DJ

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

The corporate additions of Norton AV seem to run OK since the setup we use
blocks viruses from the outside at the server level. The firewall, gets most
of them before they even get a look at the server. I've had trouble with
most of the AV programs at one time or another except for 1. That one is
AVG.

http://www.grisoft.com

I've used both the free edition and paid edition and both have worked
trouble free. I have never gotten a virus since I began using it about 4
years ago. I can't comment on tech support because I haven't needed any.

It is important that you do run an AV program and a firewall if you expect
to be connected to the Internet for more than a few minutes. It is estimated
that malware of one sort or another will find an unprotected machine in an
average of 4 minutes 20 seconds. Some people are lucky for weeks, others get
zapped almost instantly. Don't take a chance. Either of Granny Spitz's
solutions should work and I would certainly use Norton AV before going
unprotected.

 

[David W. Fenton]

It is important that you do run an AV program and a firewall if
you expect to be connected to the Internet for more than a few
minutes. It is estimated that malware of one sort or another will
find an unprotected machine in an average of 4 minutes 20 seconds.
Some people are lucky for weeks, others get zapped almost
instantly. Don't take a chance. Either of Granny Spitz's solutions
should work and I would certainly use Norton AV before going
unprotected.

I think only stupid people get infected with viruses.

These include:

1. people who don't have some form of firewall (a NAT router is 90%
of the battle).

2. people who insist on using substandard software, such as Internet
Explorer and Outlook Express.

I have not use full-time AV scanning on my home PC for about 8
years. I have not had a single virus infection of any kind. This is
because:

1. as soon as Mozilla was a viable browser, I switched to it (from
Netscape), and never used IE.

2. I never used a Microsoft email client -- I only used email
clients that could not execute code in email messages.

My clients don't use MS email clients and don't use IE for their
browser and they have had no virus infections. They do use AV
software, but it hardly ever finds anything, in any event.

AV software is a huge scam enabled by Microsoft's lack of attention
to security. Anyone having virus and spyware problems is not taking
care of their computer.

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

I think only stupid people get infected with viruses.

There are plenty of folks who get infected who are not stupid.

These include:

1. people who don't have some form of firewall (a NAT router is 90%
of the battle).

Most people who have only a single computer in their home, do not posses a
router.

2. people who insist on using substandard software, such as Internet
Explorer and Outlook Express.

I have used Microsoft IE and mail clients for years and have had only 1
virus and that was more than 5 years ago. I received that from an infected
client (a trusted source)

I have not use full-time AV scanning on my home PC for about 8
years. I have not had a single virus infection of any kind. This is
because:

1. as soon as Mozilla was a viable browser, I switched to it (from
Netscape), and never used IE.

2. I never used a Microsoft email client -- I only used email
clients that could not execute code in email messages.

And since I have automated invoicing and purchasing on almost all of my
apps, I require mail clients that can be automated with code.

My clients don't use MS email clients and don't use IE for their
browser and they have had no virus infections. They do use AV
software, but it hardly ever finds anything, in any event.

AV software is a huge scam enabled by Microsoft's lack of attention
to security. Anyone having virus and spyware problems is not taking
care of their computer.

I think Microsoft software is the primary target of virus writers because
there is so much of it. The SendMail virus in Linux went undetected for
months and took at least 5 months to be fixed because there wasn't much of a
problem. Microsoft software is usually patched before the viruses start and
they are propogated mostly by unpatched machines. You are blaming the
victims for the problem instead of the perpetrators. I believe you and I had
a discussion similar to this years ago in c.d.m.a. It is my contention that
viruses are written by those who are either morally corrupt, or spoiled
little computer brats with no sense of responsibility. If they were severely
punished, much of the problem would stop.

 

[David W. Fenton]

I think Microsoft software is the primary target of virus writers
because there is so much of it.

No, MS is the primary target because it created unsafe software that
was easily exploitable. And they still haven't fixed it.