Have you been short-changed by anti-virus software?

I would NEVER pay for AV software. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and the outstanding AVG are available for FREE. The are perfect for 99% of home users.

Keep your money, don’t buy AV.

I rarely renew a subscription as there is usually a deal with one retailer or another for a new subscription that is significantly less than the renewal cost.

This practice is shocking. They should charge, at most, an upgrade amount proportionate to the time remaining on the existing subscription, but Symantec/Norton also charge excessively for a normal subscription renewal. They wanted about £56 to renew my Norton 360 but elswhere on their website I was able to buy it anew for about £41, a saving of £15. Like so many commercial companies they seem money grabbing and irrational

What exactly do they mean by upgrades? I’ve never had to pay extra or lose my previous subscription when upgrading my Norton product.

When I think upgrade, I think going from version 2009 to version 2011 with an active subscription, the subscription just carries over for free with Norton.

I recently bought a new Vaio laptop with Norton 360 as an option. I activated it, and use it quite happily. The license covers three machines. I also have a PC with NIS 2010 (free upgrade from 2009) and a second laptop with NIS2008.
As each of the latter 2 expire, I’m planning to swop them to the 360 license so that I end up with just one account and a common renewal date. At present I just get a renewal item on my visa bill for both which can be confusing

I’ve been using Norton Internet Security for years and have learnt the hard way that months can be lost from a subscription if you’re not careful about how you renew it. My advice is to go to Amazon or whoever is offering the best deal and buy the latest version of the product just before the old one is due to expire. Do NOT use the option offered in the Norton pop-up to renew as it will cost considerably more and could lose you up to a month of your existing subscription. Buying upgrades is also generally more expensive than buying the full product.

I think Symantec’s attitude is quite apalling and is sharp practice at the very least and possibly downright fraud. They don’t even warn you that the new version will only work for a year no matter how long is left of your old subscription.

I have suffered the opposite “problem” with Security software from another company. I renewed my subscription to Zone Alarm Security suite ( Firewall / AV / etc. ) in January 2007. Every six months or so they would alert me to download a new version of the software which I did and this reset the subscription clock back to 12 months. It was only after 2.5 years, in July 2009 that they finally asked me for renewal money again, which I happily paid. A year later though I moved onto the Microsoft Security Essentials suite because the Zone Alarm software now seemed to be causing me technical problems and that was unacceptable when I was paying for it.

There’s also some good practice around: I had to reinstall f-Secure anti-virus when I upgraded to Windows 7, and I got the new (2011) version of the software for the remainder of my 2010 subscription. Can’t say fairer than that. (I have no links with this company by the way)

I gave up on Norton years ago – and Nero – Both took over the computers which I hate. their help-lines seem useless.

I’ve used E-Set with success and which is excellent but is sadly slow on start up on machines with a large amount of information and I don’t want to wait. However their help-line is absolutely first class. So I have a multi-computer license which is excellent – If I upgrade early then the new extra I year is added on to the end of the old term. I use eight different computers on my network.

For speed I use AVG on one very fast machine that is my work horse for net access – as well as word processing and databasing. It seems first class and free.

I gave up Norton & McFee long ago – They constantly bombarded my system – and even removing the programs renewals appeared – I have used AVG sucessfully, but have become aware that renewalls are not centrally controlled. more related the you machines IP address. – All you can do is copy thre emails to a folder, along with the renewal and payments details – to monitor it yourself. Yes, it is a shbby practise, backed by poor customer services support.

I’ve used Norton for years and did upgrade on-line twice before realizing, as others have mentioned, it is never the cheapest option. I’m seriously thinking of using free programs next time because when I last used their helpline they were unable to solve the problem, but quickly recommended their £70 service. I eventually managed to solve the problem myself quite easily using on-line forums.

As suggested by Which? Magazine I’ve got the free version of AVG on my machine and I don’t have problems with it.

I was sent a”Norton Upgrade free one month trial” which I tried, not realising that my current Norton package,which expires March 2011 was deleted from my P.C. I have not taken up the trial offer but am now in the position of trying to retrieve my existing package which I cannot seem to be able to do.

Agree with several other posters. If you must use McAfee or Norton never renew your subscription. It is ALWAYS cheaper to buy a new copy from e-Bay or whatever with a years subscription included.
But really – NEVER use McAfee or Norton or anything similar. I even unistalled McAfee from the three PCs that got it for free as part of our O2 Broadband. They are just too big, too clumsy. They slow your computer down. Use the free ones – Microsoft SEcurity Essentials for example. Much lighter touch, but they do the job.

Believe me I am not defending this practice at all, as I have been hit by this in the past. But one thing that this article has failed to mention is that Norton do offer you a free upgrade to the latest version of their software if you still have a period of subscription available. So even though you may have 6 months left on your 2010 subscription you can then update to the latest 2011 version and still have the remaining time on your current subscription.

So I also wonder if you could get away with buying a new 1 year 2010 subscription at a discounted price then update to the latest 2011 version and have a full year at the 2010 price??

I have used Norton, McAffee, AVG etc over the years and found them to be resource hogging bloatware which slow down even fast machines. For some years I have used GFI (formerly Sunbelt Software) Vipre Premium. The cost is very competitive and uniquely it includes all version updates during the licence period. You can get 1, 2 or 3 year licences for a single machine or a site licence which is useful if you have several PCs.

The software is very slick you hardly know it is there unless some malware rears its head. Although US based, customer service is excellent, they have an instant messaging facility which enables you to receive real time advice if you have a problem.

I have no connection with the firm.

Kaspersky or Steganos (same engine, but Steg is faster and less bloated)
offer a sub for £16 and it is sequential – they also are more effective than Symantec or McAfee in Real World tests by leading PC magazine empires by nearly 50% in detection.

Trust me,
PC Tutor

I bought a Dell laptop with Vista last year with pre-installed McAfee and wish they would not do this – as I have had problems -a good number of which, that with my relatively limited knowledge of s/w grief solving have traced back to McAfee – I also keep getting update and subscription ‘pop-ups’ with irritating frequency. I’m an adult and can make my own choices and have used Comodo for years – it has always been ‘rock solid’ – never had any problems. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive protection programme and it is free, as are automatic updates. There is a ‘corporate’ version which costs – which is fair enough. Give it a try.

I think the problem is here because many new buyers are relatively unknowing. An antivirus programme, pre installed on a trial basis or permanent basis, will give essential protection. Those of us who are more knowledgeable might have to accept the nuisance because we are a minority.

I have used McAfee for a couple of years now and it was relatively ok until half-way through this years contract I noticed that the logo for the software on my system had changed.Upon closer inspection I found that the back up and restore facility that used to be on there had been removed without any notification. I contacted McAfee and no one could explain why and tried to state it was never there in the first place, despite the fact, if I went on their website I could buy the package I had and it listed back/restore among the facilities!!!!!! After numerous phone calls and technical support online chats, they offered to extend subsription by three monthsas an apology (which when I checked they haven’t) and give me online backup/restore. This is awful as it slowed my machine down to the point of zero and after 3 hours of “backing up” had only done about 3% of what I needed. Truly awful, I will never use McAfee again and strongly advise anyone else not to either. t’s free AV for me from now on.

I use Norton antivirus and never renew my subscription. Instead I buy oem versions at around £10+VAT each year (inc delivery).

I used Norton products all the way through MS DOS and for many years under Windows. But some years ago I brought Norton Anti-Virus and successfully installed it. After 12 months the software demanded that I buy a new licence to continue to get virus updates. When I did not do this the software refused to work any more.

Whilst I did NOT expect to get free virus updates after 12 months I did expect the software to continue to work.

If I buy a new car and then refuse to have it serviced whilst I can not expect the manufacturer to continue with the warrenty I DO NOT expect the car to stop working.

I now refuse to use any of Norton / Symantec products and I refuse to pay for anti virus software.

I use the FREE version of AVG and have done so now for some years on a variety of computers at home and at a charity that I used to work for. I have had no troubles at all whilst using AVG

I bought VIPRE Antivirus on Amazon at christmas time. They offer a Lifetime version of their Antivirus premium.
With this, I NEVER have to renew my subscription again I have updates and protection for the rest of my PC’s life span… so I dont have to be worried about the other antivirus companies scamming me each year. Plus im 63 so my memory isnt as good as it used to be, this is one less thing to worry about on an annual basis. phew!

I’ve been caught out this way as well, renewing my Norton Internet Security subscription a few weeks before it was due just so I wouldnt forget and thus loosing a few weeks subscription.
There is no warning and I didnt upgrade my software at the same time so purely a renewal.
Very sharp practice.
This year I will be waiting till the last moment before renewing.

has anyone used VIPRE before? Do you really only have to pay once and then never renew? Where can I buy it from?

Hey. I have used a product called VIPRE for years now. It is pretty cool and only Windows based. Got new laptop and as usual immediately removed Norton or McAfee from it. Then tried AVG and some of the other freebies. Not bad, but then a mate told me about their detection being pretty **** and so took a look at this VIPRE product. Tried it and loved it ever since. Now I hear they have just launched some LIFETIME service. Went on Amazon and saw it was true. Pay once and never renew for like 10 or 20 years. Thank goodness for no more annoying renewal pop ups.

What have you all found?
James.

I use VIPRE the Lifetime version.. It found a whole heap of stuff Kasperski missed…Go to Amazon.co.uk. It also made my machine run quicker.. This one’s a real winner and its got a cool name!!!!

I was caught out this Feb by Symantec/Norton, to the tune of £65 ish. Because I originally bought cover for 3 computers. I was not pleased to have the amount taken out of my account, to be told I can cancel within so many days. Tried to cancel by email but nothing happened so I left it – too busy at the time, but I certainly won’t be renewing t next year!

I have just been ripped off by Kaspersky also. They have 3 different prices for the same product Total Security 2017 x 5 devices. If you buy it from their public website you pay £35.99, from the store within your My Kaspersky portal you get charged £41.99 yet if a loyal customer wants to auto-renew they get charged £59.99. What a way to treat and retain your customers!!