News

Norton Is Bundling Cryptomining Software With Its Antivirus

While the feature is turned off by default and can be enabled only on computers that meet certain hardware requirements, it’s not exactly easy to remove it entirely.

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2022

David Morelo

norton is bundling cryptomining software with its antivirus

Many users install an antivirus to protect themselves from cryptomining malware, such as KryptoCibule, which silently hijacks system resources and uses them to mine various cryptocurrencies.

The users of Norton 360 don’t have to wait for cryptominers to infect their computers because the company behind the popular antivirus software has generously included one with the application.

Called Norton Crypto, the cryptomining tool has been available in Norton 360 since June 2021, allowing users to painlessly mine Ether, the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum.

norton crypto status dashboard

“As the crypto economy continues to become a more important part of our customer’s lives, we want to empower them to mine cryptocurrency with Norton, a brand they trust” explained Vincent Pilette, CEO of NortonLifeLock, the company that owns the Norton product line. “Norton Crypto is yet another innovative example of how we are expanding our Cyber Safety platform to protect our customer’s ever-evolving digital lives”.

However, not all users of Norton 360 welcome this innovation, and some have already canceled their subscriptions to put some weight behind their disapproval of the new feature. One common complaint users have is that the presence of a cryptominer could make them juicy targets in the eyes of cybercriminals, who have been actively going after cryptocurrency owners ever since Bitcoin became a well-known name.

Also Read: Young Arabs Are Embracing The Fintech Revolution

While the feature is turned off by default and can be enabled only on computers that meet certain hardware requirements (the presence of a capable NVIDIA graphics card is one of them), it’s not exactly easy to remove it entirely. To do that, it’s necessary to temporarily disable the tamper protection feature Norton 360 uses to prevent malware from disabling it.

What’s more, Norton Crypto is a blatant cash grab because it charges a fee of 15% in addition to the cost of Ethereum’s transaction fees. To put the number into perspective, most other Ethereum mining pools, which anyone can join without much effort, charge just 1 or 2%.

Clearly, someone at NortonLifeLock has decided to pursue what they must believe is a terrific opportunity to join the cryptomining mania, and they’re willing to see how their user base will react.

Related Topics:Cryptocurrency Norton Symantec

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News

Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip And Updated iPad Air

“This is the biggest day for iPad since its introduction,” said CEO Tim Cook in a video posted to Apple’s website.

Published

2 mins ago

May 8, 2024

Nour Nasir

Apple

Apple’s latest updates to its popular iPad Air and Pro models were announced on Tuesday, May 7. These are the first changes since 2022, the longest stretch between new models since the iconic device was revealed in 2011.

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro have received a huge design overhaul. The most noteworthy change is the move to OLED screens, with the 12.9-inch version receiving a small bump in size to 13 inches. Apple claims the new tablets are brighter and more vibrant than outgoing models, thanks to a technology it calls “tandem OLED” or “Ultra Retina XDR”.

The 13-inch model now measures an astonishing 5.1 mm in thickness, which Apple says is its slimmest device ever. (The 11-inch version is 5.3 mm thick.) For those who prefer the look of a matte display, a nano-texture coating will also be available for the first time on the Pro models.

Finally, the new iPad Pros have received a processor bump to the latest M4 chip, which Apple says is an “outrageously powerful chip for AI”, offering an example of its ability to quickly and efficiently isolate subjects from backgrounds in videos.

The iPad Pro 11-inch starts at $999, and the larger 13-inch version starts at $1,299 with 256GB of storage.

Updated iPad Air In Two Sizes

The sixth-generation iPad Air didn’t receive as many upgrades as the iPad Pro but significantly does now come in two sizes. As with the Pro models, buyers now have the choice between an 11-inch and 13-inch screen, meaning they don’t need to invest in a Pro version just to get a 30% bump in display size.

Apple kept the same design for the iPad Air that it first revealed in 2020, complete with a USB-C port and Touch ID in the top button. The only difference is the front camera placement, which has been moved to the center of the iPad when in landscape orientation.

The 11-inch iPad Air is priced at $599 for the entry-level model, while the 13-inch version starts at $799.

Also Read: How To Clean Your Apple Watch Like A Pro

New Magic Keyboard Case

Apple also announced an updated (thinner, lighter) Magic Keyboard for its Pro iPads. The refreshed version now includes a function row (with controls for screen brightness). An aluminum palm rest and large trackpad with haptic feedback also help the premium case feel more like a Macbook.

The new Magic Keyboard is available for both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros and will be priced at $299 or $349, respectively.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil, named Pro, at its event. The new model looks exactly the same but adds a “squeeze” function that opens a new tool palette. Meanwhile, a built-in gyroscope sensor lets you alter the orientation of the tools you’re using as you twist the device, offering finer control. Finally, the new pencil gets support for Apple’s Find My network, which should keep minds at rest at the prospect of losing the $129 device.

Finally, to round off Apple’s series of announcements, the entry-level iPad was reduced to $349 — a $100 price cut.