Silly Ol’ Symantec
“I long ago gave up on Symantec / Norton. I run freeware / shareware programs on my systems which replace Symantec’s stuff. Their pricing options are insane – even for a ‘minor’ version upgrade, you have to pay a large fee. You have to pay for subscriptions to keep running your firewall, even. What’s up with that? Obviously, Symantec’s way of saying: ‘We’ll simply annoy you *every single year* until you buy the latest product.’ I’m not the only one to think this. Their tech support has been atrocious.
“Middle of last year, I tried to actually subscribe for the antivirus updates on someone else’s machine for them. After almost three hours of cycling through their site (thanks to LiveUpdate not knowing what to do – note that some of this time was spent trying to find an actual tech support email address), I finally was able to squeeze out a support email. The response to my troubles was a list of options. First, reboot and try again. Second, re-install and try again. Hah! Third, try this ‘partner site.’ Fourth, phone in the order. Anyone else notice how long it took them to get online purchasing of their subscription content? What, they don’t trust their own security products? Fifth, email my credit card information back to the tech support person, so they can conduct the transaction. Anyone else’s eyes rolling here?” [Charles Smith]
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5 Comments
Windows Fanatics
April 2nd, 2008
at 7:25pm
Symbian-Series 60, Symantec Mobile AntiVirus for Windows Mobile, and Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh. Wait a second… There’s AntiVirus for mobile devices? And you have to run AntiVirus on OS X? I would also recommend reading: McAfee CouponsSilly Ol’ SymantecGamestop Coupons Network Magic Coupons Stuffit Coupons / Smith Micro Coupons / Allume Systems Coupons
Anonymous
February 18th, 2002
at 9:14am
Just formatting the system removes the registry key that keeps track of the “year of free” anti-virus updates. Since I format my win box every six months or so I have no problems with this.
Just My 2 cents.
TheDeadWalk
Anonymous
February 19th, 2002
at 10:51pm
I also don't use symantec software, but I don't think i've ever found any virus scanner that works well. They always slow down my computer considerably with the “auto protect” stuff or they cause stability problems. I have eliminated most of the threat of a virus since I'm behind a firewall and I don't use Outlook. But I would still like to know if a decent virus scanner exists. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know. The last good virus scanner I used was AVP, but the win2k/xp version doesn't work too well.
Anonymous
February 21st, 2002
at 4:31am
I have been Using Norton Sytem Works 2000 For what is aproaching 2 Years. Live Update works beautifully, I have Never been Askedd to pay for Virus Def Updates, or any other updates. (Makes sense to Me actually – I dont have New software – But Virus evolution is a fluid Thing)
The More Usefull Nortons – Though They May be (Rather Much !) Bloated, are Extremely usefull tools to me.
Tech Support ?What on earth for ? There is a Decent Manual, and The Web Site is an information Mine. ( And although most folks don't know it, and This will rile a few — Viruses ? Hah!
There are thorough instructions Right here, for Manual fixes, and if not here three clicks away The trickiest part of the little devils is knowing they are there soon enough to save yourself a bit of work. Viruses are DUMB! And Folks like These put out Detailed and thourough info on what they attack, and how to Fix.
Dont know what the problem is with you Norton -hatin guys,
But I think they are A cut above Most. I have learned much From P Norton over the years. (And if you buy a Ready Bult- & Let someone else Throw the software in an OEM bundle…. ….Gateway, dell – whoever ….No Sympathy here…. CD cost a whole 40$ and probably My single best alltime Computer buy .
Hate to rain on the Grumble Parade !
Tom C
Questor
May 19th, 2007
at 1:00pm
Symantec Tech support is horrible! I have 1 PC where I purchased NIS 2006 and Systemworks where I have 140+ subscription days remaining. I swapped out the network card2 times & had to reinstall NIS several times in 1 week.
Symantec tech support now claims that I installed on 5 different 5 PCs and has deactivated my subscription support unless I pay an additional $10 to their customer service. They told me I have to wait 36+ hours for their Customer Support department to re-open before they will address the subscription issue caused by the Symantec software lockout. I say screw Symantec because their support sucks.
On a separate & also legal NIS subscription, Symantec also recently refused to provide me with knowledgebase info on how to clear a virus & wanted to charge me a minimum $30. Their Level 1 tech support did not even refer me to a fix that is free and available on their website, that I had to dig to find.
I complained both times and asked to speak to a Supervisor at least 8 times, which their “Anaysts” refused to do. Clearly, Symantec support sucks! I have now filed a legal complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s office against Symantec for contract-subscription fraud.