Introduction
In January 2012, Symantec confirmed that pcAnywhere source code was exposed by hackers who posted the code publicly. At that time, Symantec responded with a hot fix to address immediate vulnerabilities. In addition, Symantec determined that the pcAnywhere security model required an update. This update secures pcAnywhere communications for the traditional pcAnywhere product as well as the pcAnywhere Solution, which is part of the Symantec Client Management Suite (CMS).
As a result of the security updates, this new version of pcAnywhere is not backward-compatible with, and will not connect to, older versions of pcAnywhere
Symantec recommends that customers install the latest version of pcAnywhere (12.5 SP4 or Solution 12.6.7) and follow general security best practices. The latest version of pcAnywhere includes all previous hot fixes and the updated security model.
For additional information visit go.symantec.com/sourcecode
pcAnywhere Access Server
Access Server is not supported by latest version of pcAnywhere. As a result of the source code being exposed, Symantec determined that Access Server is not secure for Internet-based remote control sessions. Since Access Server is not secure, the updated security model in the latest version of pcAnywhere does not allow communication with Access Server.
See the pcAnywhere Security Best Practices guide for risk scenarios and recommended security practices for using pcAnywhere and Access Server. In the absence of Access Server, Symantec recommends that you use VPN for Internet-based remote control sessions.
Upgrading to pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4
What should I do if my organization uses pcAnywhere?
Symantec recommends that customers install the latest version of pcAnywhere and follow general security best practices. The latest version of pcAnywhere includes all previous hot fixes and the updated security model.
For upgrade instructions, see the following article:
pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 Release Notes
Features removed in pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4
In pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 outdated product features were removed. The features listed below are no longer available in this version of pcAnywhere.
- Access Server
- Symantec pcAnywhere Web Remote
- Symantec pcAnywhere Mobile
- Symantec pcAnywhere CrossPlatform for Remote and Host
- Symantec pcAnywhere Gateway
- Host Assessment tool
- Host Administrator tool
- Package deployment tool
- Web deployment tool
- NetBIOS and SPX connection type support
- Support for all authentication types except pcAnywhere, NT, and AD for Windows/pcAnywhere and Apple Open Directory for Mac/pcAnywhere and Linux PAM for Linux
- Option for making passwords case sensitive on the Security Options tab of Host Properties dialog box
- Option to deploy thin host if host is not present on pcAQuick Connect dialog box
- Encryption tab on pcAnywhere options dialog box
Documentation for pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4
Document title
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Description
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URL
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pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 Release Notes
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The Release Notes contain information about what's new in this release, installation and upgrade information, system requirements, and fixed and known issues of this release.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5352
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pcAnywhere Security Best Practices Guide
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The pcAnywhere Security Best Practices Guide contains information on the enhanced security changes, how key areas of these enhancements work, and some of the steps that users should take to reduce security risks.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5475
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Technical White Paper:
Symantec pcAnywhere Security Recommendations
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The Technical White Paper on pcAnywhere Security Recommendations contains general information about security best practices for pcAnywhere.
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www.symantec.com/content/en/us/enterprise/white_papers/b-pcanywhere-security-recommendations-WP.pdf
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pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 User Guide
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The User Guide contains conceptual and task-based information on the features of pcAnywhere.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5335
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pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 Administrator Guide
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The Administrator Guide contains details about the creation and deployment of custom installation packages, using Symantec Packager, centralized logging, integration with directory services, and managing security.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5336
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pcAnywhere 12.5 SP4 Getting Started Guide
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The Getting Started Guide provides information about the tools and components of pcAnywhere and helps you get started with the installation of the product.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5347
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Upgrading to pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7
What should I do if my organization uses pcAnywhere?
Symantec recommends that customers install the latest version of pcAnywhere Solution and follow general security best practices. The latest version of pcAnywhere Solution includes all previous hot fixes and the updated security model.
Before upgrading please note that this version of pcAnywhere Solution changes the pcAnywhere security model. Security changes in this version of pcAnywhere are not backward-compatible and do not support connections to prior software versions.
For upgrade instructions, see the following article:
pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7 Release Notes
Documentation for pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7
Document title
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Description
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URL
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pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7 Release Notes
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The Release Notes contain information about what's new in this release, installation and upgrade information, system requirements, and fixed and known issues of this release.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5350
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pcAnywhere Security Best Practices Guide
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The pcAnywhere Security Best Practices Guide contains information on the enhanced security changes, how key areas of these enhancements work, and some of the steps that users should take to reduce security risks.
|
www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5475
|
Technical White Paper:
Symantec pcAnywhere Security Recommendations
|
The Technical White Paper on pcAnywhere Security Recommendations contains general information about security best practices for pcAnywhere.
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www.symantec.com/content/en/us/enterprise/white_papers/b-pcanywhere-security-recommendations-WP.pdf
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pcAnywhere Solution 12.6.7 User Guide
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The User Guide contains conceptual and task-based information on the features of pcAnywhere Solution.
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www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5394
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