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.

pcAnywhere

Developer(s)	Symantec Corporation
Initial release	1986 (DOS), 1993 (Windows)
Final release	12.6.65 / 2012
Operating system	Windows, Mac OS, Linux[1]
Available in	English
Type	Remote administration software
License	Proprietary
Website	ca.norton.com/symantec-pcanywhere

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

• Comparison of remote desktop software
• GoToMyPC
• Internet
• Novell NetWare Access Server
• PuTTY
• Remote Desktop Connection
• TeamViewer
• TightVNC
• VNC

References

1. "System requirements", PC Anywhere, Symantec.
2. "Remote device access office from "Anywhere"". InfoWorld, February 10, 1986. 10 February 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.

External links

• PC Anywhere (product page), Symantec