PcAnywhere

Last updated
pcAnywhere
Developer(s) Symantec Corporation
Initial release1986 (DOS), 1993 (Windows)
Final release
12.6.65 / 2012
Operating system Windows, Mac OS, Linux [1]
Available inEnglish
Type Remote administration software
License Proprietary
Website ca.norton.com/symantec-pcanywhere

pcAnywhere is a discontinued suite of computer programs by Symantec which allows a user of the pcAnywhere remote program on a computer to connect to a personal computer running the pcAnywhere host if both are connected to interconnected networks and the password is known. pcAnywhere runs on several platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Pocket PC.

Contents

History

The first version of pcAnywhere 1.0 for DOS was originally developed by Dynamic Microprocessor Associates (DMA) in 1986. [2] A few years later, in 1991, Dynamic Microprocessor Associates was acquired by Symantec and the program was renamed to Norton pcAnywhere. In March 1993, Symantec released Norton pcAnywhere 1.0 for Windows. [3]

Issues

In January 2012, Symantec, the maker of pcAnywhere, revealed a security breach and told users to stop using the software, pending a resolution of the problem and the creation of new secure code, [4] while on February 7, 2012 the software's source code was leaked and distributed through The Pirate Bay. [5] Symantec responded with a series of cumulative hot fixes to pcAnywhere versions 12.0.x, 12.1.x and 12.5.x. The hot fixes addressed immediate issues identified by Symantec's assessment of the code exposure. Symantec also released hot fixes for the pcAnywhere versions, 12.5.x and 12.6.x, bundled with Symantec Management Suites. [6] A full cumulative service pack patch was released on April 11, 2012. [7] Symantec gave out free upgrades to all customers that had a previous version of Symantec pcAnywhere dating back to the late 1990s. [8]

In May 2014, Symantec announced the end of life for Symantec pcAnywhere, and according to its FAQ "At this time, Symantec has no plans to introduce a replacement remote control product." [9] Symantec recommends users disable PC Anywhere, [10] [11] and for its standalone version Bomgar as a replacement. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows XP</span> Microsoft PC operating system released in 2001

Windows XP is a major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. It was released to manufacturing on August 24, 2001, and later to retail on October 25, 2001. It is a direct upgrade to its predecessors, Windows 2000 for high-end and business users and Windows Me for home users, and is available for any devices running Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows Me that meet the new Windows XP system requirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X Window System</span> Windowing system for bitmap displays on UNIX-like systems

The X Window System is a windowing system for bitmap displays, common on Unix-like operating systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virtual Network Computing</span> Graphical desktop-sharing system

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB) to remotely control another computer. It transmits the keyboard and mouse input from one computer to another, relaying the graphical-screen updates, over a network.

A patch is a set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update or repair it. This includes bugfixes or bug fixes to remove security vulnerabilities and correct bugs (errors). Patches are often written to improve the functionality, usability, or performance of a program. The majority of patches are provided by software vendors for operating system and application updates.

TightVNC is a free and open-source remote desktop software server and client application for Linux and Windows. A server for macOS is available under a commercial source code license only, without SDK or binary version provided. Constantin Kaplinsky developed TightVNC, using and extending the RFB protocol of Virtual Network Computing (VNC) to allow end-users to control another computer's screen remotely.

Norton AntiVirus is an anti-virus or anti-malware software product founded by Peter Norton, developed and distributed by Symantec since 1990 as part of its Norton family of computer security products. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features included in it are e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection.

Norton Internet Security, developed by Symantec Corporation, is a discontinued computer program that provides malware protection and removal during a subscription period. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features include a personal firewall, email spam filtering, and phishing protection. With the release of the 2015 line in summer 2014, Symantec officially retired Norton Internet Security after 14 years as the chief Norton product. It was superseded by Norton Security, a rechristened adaptation of the Norton 360 security suite.

Remote administration refers to any method of controlling a computer or other Internet-connected device, such as a smartphone, from a remote location. There are many commercially available and free-to-use software that make remote administration easy to set up and use. Remote administration is often used when it's difficult or impractical to be physically near a system in order to use it or troubleshoot it. Many server administrators also use remote administration to control the servers around the world at remote locations. It is also used by companies and corporations to improve overall productivity as well as promote remote work. It may also refer to both legal and illegal remote administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Remote Desktop</span> Application by Apple

Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) is a Macintosh application produced by Apple Inc., first released on March 14, 2002, that replaced a similar product called Apple Network Assistant. Aimed at computer administrators responsible for large numbers of computers and teachers who need to assist individuals or perform group demonstrations, Apple Remote Desktop allows users to remotely control or monitor other computers over a network. Mac Pro (2019), Mac mini with a 10Gb Ethernet card, and Mac Studio (2022) have Lights Out Management function and are able to power-on by Apple Remote Desktop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PC Tools (software)</span> Collection of software utlities

PC Tools is a collection of software utilities for DOS developed by Central Point Software.

Desktop sharing is a common name for technologies and products that allow remote access and remote collaboration on a person's computer desktop through a graphical terminal emulator.

A web desktop or webtop is a desktop environment embedded in a web browser or similar client application. A webtop integrates web applications, web services, client–server applications, application servers, and applications on the local client into a desktop environment using the desktop metaphor. Web desktops provide an environment similar to that of Windows, Mac, or a graphical user interface on Unix and Linux systems. It is a virtual desktop running in a web browser. In a webtop the applications, data, files, configuration, settings, and access privileges reside remotely over the network. Much of the computing takes place remotely. The browser is primarily used for display and input purposes.

In computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software- or operating system feature that allows a personal computer's desktop environment to be run remotely from one system, while being displayed on a separate client device. Remote desktop applications have varying features. Some allow attaching to an existing user's session and "remote controlling", either displaying the remote control session or blanking the screen. Taking over a desktop remotely is a form of remote administration.

This page is a comparison of notable remote desktop software available for various platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intel Active Management Technology</span> Out-of-band management platform by Intel

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is hardware and firmware for remote out-of-band management of select business computers, running on the Intel Management Engine, a microprocessor subsystem not exposed to the user, intended for monitoring, maintenance, updating, and repairing systems. Out-of-band (OOB) or hardware-based management is different from software-based management and software management agents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThinLinc</span>

ThinLinc is a cross-platform remote desktop server developed by Cendio AB. The server software and the users' main desktops run on Linux. Clients are available for Linux, Windows, macOS, and a number of thin clients. A browser client using HTML5 technologies is also available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Symantec Endpoint Protection</span> Computer security software

Symantec Endpoint Protection, developed by Broadcom Inc., is a security software suite that consists of anti-malware, intrusion prevention and firewall features for server and desktop computers. It has the largest market-share of any product for endpoint security.

CrossLoop was a remote desktop service from CrossLoop Inc., which allowed users to share their computer screens and collaborate with others over the Internet.

BeyondTrust (formerly Symark) is an American company that develops, markets, and supports a family of privileged identity management / access management (PIM/PAM), privileged remote access, and vulnerability management products for UNIX, Linux, Windows and macOS operating systems.

Norton 360 was an "all-in-one" security suite for the consumer market developed by Symantec. Originally released in 2006, it was discontinued in 2014; its features were carried over to its successor, Norton Security. However, in 2019, Symantec released a "NEW Norton 360", as a product replacement for Norton Security.

References

  1. "System requirements", PC Anywhere, Symantec.
  2. "Remote device access office from "Anywhere"". InfoWorld, February 10, 1986.
  3. "pcAnywhere remote package supports Windows". InfoWorld, March 22, 1993. 1993-03-22. p.  42.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  4. "Symantec to Users: Stop Using pcAnywhere". Frequent business traveler. Jan 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. Epstein, Zach (7 Feb 2012). "Hackers tried to extort $50,000 from Symantec after stealing source code". BGR. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. "Security Advisories Relating to Symantec Products – Symantec pcAnywhere Multiple Security Updates". Symantec. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012.
  7. "About the pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 and pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7 releases". Symantec. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012.
  8. "Symantec says that pcAnywhere is safe to use again gives out free upgrades". The next Web. 30 Jan 2012.
  9. "pcAnywhere End-of-Life Customer FAQ". Symantec. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014.
  10. Finkle, Jim (25 Jan 2012), Lewis, Matthew (ed.), Symantec tells customers to disable pcAnywhere software, Boston: Reuters.
  11. Constantin, Lucian, Symantec Recommends Disabling PcAnywhere and Waiting for Security Patches, IDG News Service.
  12. N, Andy (1 Dec 2014), PC Anywhere EOL & Bomgar, Symantec.