Norton users complain about hard-to-remove cryptominer Norton Crypto

Norton 360 subscribers complain about the Norton Crypto feature because it would be installed automatically and then difficult to remove. Norton has clarified in a new FAQ that the service only mines crypto with the user’s permission.

On Reddit and Twitter users complain about the Norton Crypto feature, which automatically installs as an NCrypt.exe file when updating Norton 360. Users say they have not given permission for the installation of the cryptominer. Various users, including becksalso say on Twitter that the cryptominer is difficult to remove, even if the user is an admin user.

Twitter user Chantelle explains that users should first go to the Norton 360 admin settings page, where they can disable Norton Product Tamper Protection. Only after disabling can NCrypt.exe be removed.

Norton has been offering the crypto service since June, but writes about a phased distribution. A new batch of users may have been added recently, causing a noticeable increase in the number of users complaining about it. Norton Crypto allows users to mine ethereum when the PC is not in use. The crypto is stored with a Norton storage service. This company also holds fifteen percent of all ethereum mined.

In a faq, Norton clarified since Tuesday that the service is only activated with the user’s permission. Users can also disable the service in the Norton Crypto dashboard. In the faq, the company does not explain why the miner is now installed automatically.