Firefox and Norton: FIGHT!

By Davey Winder
Saturday, 06 September 2008 14:35

Technology

Firefox 3.0.1 has been around for months, Norton 360 2.0 and Internet Security 2008 ditto. For many users, however, it would appear that the two cannot live happily together. So just what is the problem?

Google Chrome might be getting all the headlines, but Firefox remains the alternative browser client powerhouse by market share if not media attention now that the Download Day nonsense is long forgotten.

Which is probably why there has not been much media focus on a growing problem between Firefox and Norton. Specifically, between Firefox 3.0.1 and Symantec security products in the Norton family which incorporate the Identity Safe feature.

Firefox and Norton have always co-existed happily enough, but the relationship started showing signs of strain almost as soon as Firefox 3.0.1 was released way back in June.

Messages in support forums at both Mozilla and Symantec quickly started to appear.

"My Identity Safe disappeared. Even quick launch does not work. I have to open "manage identity safe profile" off line, write down my log on and password, then go back to the internet. If this version of Firefox has any benefits, I have not found them" says 'Margie' writing in the Firefox support forum.

Interestingly, she concludes that "Firefox should fix this, not Norton."

Identity Safe, for those of you who approach Norton products with barge pole firmly gripped, is a Symantec password manager that is included along with Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security.

It has worked with Firefox fine until the 3.0.1 release, hence the feeling amongst users that it is a Mozilla problem rather than a Symantec one.

The mood has not been helped by the fact that Mozilla has very recently flicked the switch that turns on automatic updating to Firefox 3.0.1 for users of Firefox 2.

That explains the anger being expressed in the support forum. One user called 'Janice' summed up the sentiment by saying "I'm NOT HAPPY that my Firefox automatically updated itself...particularly because my Norton is incompatible!!! Awfully presumptuous of Firefox."

So what is Mozilla doing about it, and where do Symantec stand on the issue? Can it be fixed? Find out on page 2...

CONTINUES