Menu Bar Question

steiney · #1 October 9th, 2009, 02:21 AM

Hi All,

I just installed Symantec Anti-Virus and it automatically puts an ugly icon in the menu bar. I already have a few things up there that i like/need and don't want the symantec button, but symantec doesn't give me the option to not display the button in the menu bar.

I would like to know if there is a way to override this? I would really appreciate being able to get rid of that little button.

Thank you,

Zach

jbarley · #2 October 9th, 2009, 03:30 AM

The best and smartest way to get rid of that "ugly" icon is to remove Symantec Antivirus, plus while you are at it, uninstall any other Symantec products from your Mac computer.
You do not need Symantec Antivirus or any other Antivirus software on your OS X system.

steiney · #3 October 9th, 2009, 03:37 AM

To clarify, my question is: how do I make it so that the software is installed and working as normal, but there is no icon displayed in the menu bar?

Thanks

jbarley, sometimes windows viruses can get onto your hard disk or removable disks, and even though they don't affect you, they affect your friends with PCs. I currently have ClamXav, but I am not sure that it's database contain the windows virus definitions as well as the Mac ones. I know that Symantec has all known virus definitions. Also, the copy of the software was free from my school, so I don't see why I shouldn't have it on there.

jbarley · #4 October 9th, 2009, 10:26 AM

I'm well aware of all the very rare possibilities, if on the very slim chance what you suggest does maybe occur, it is your friends who should be worried about AntiVirus software.
And just because something is "free", does not make it a wise choice.

steiney · #5 October 9th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Hi,

I'm still looking for an answer to my question:

How do I make it so that the software is installed and working as normal, but there is no icon displayed in the menu bar?

---------

jbarley, I would sure hate to be one of your friends.

jbarleys friend: hey, i think something on that flash drive you gave me had a virus that infected my computer.

jbarley: hey, that's your problem.

jbarley's friend: oh jbarley, you're such a good friend, always concerned with the welfare of others, especially those close to you.

---------

Also, I don't remember ever saying that because something is free, it is a good choice. You just put those words in my mouth.

ElDiabloConCaca · #6 October 9th, 2009, 10:54 AM

Hold down the command button on your keyboard, and click-drag the icon out of the menubar.

I'm with jbarley, though -- get rid of any and all Symantec-branded products on your Mac. They're useless. Besides, it's impossible to give someone a Mac virus, because they do not exist. At all. Period.

Sure, you can pass on a Windows virus, but that would be the Windows user's responsibility to protect themselves... kind of like driving a car: I'm too busy driving my own car to worry about how you're driving, or, conversely, worry about your own driving instead of telling me how to drive my own car.

It's not my responsibility to protect your computer, but I'd be glad to tell you how to protect your computer.

steiney · #7 October 9th, 2009, 11:09 AM

ElDiableConCaca, the command key trick did not work. Thank you for attempting to help me though. I appreciate it.

So, besides Symantec being "useless" and not caring about your friends, are there any detrimental effects that Symantec could cause?

ElDiabloConCaca · #8 October 9th, 2009, 11:36 AM

Symantec has a long track record of incompatibilities with Mac OS X. The brand-name has suffered since then. While their current AntiVirus software may be all well and good, I won't put my trust in them with any of their Mac OS X software.

I care about my friends... deeply, but sometimes tough love is the way to go, though. Besides, what files would I be working with that would be infected with a virus that I could possibly pass on to a friend?

I'm not sure why command-dragging the icon out of the menubar won't work... it typically works for the icons up there. Can you try doing it with an Apple icon, perhaps the Time Machine, iSync, Spaces, VPN, Clock, or Battery menubar to ensure that you're doing it correctly? If it works with those icons, then perhaps Symantec's icon is just being stubborn... there may not be a way to remove it, although I'll keep digging.