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The Anti-Virus Shell Game

I continue to be tormented by the Anti-Virus shell game.

Anti-virus software in stores (or on Amazon for that matter) is always on sale. Norton continues to do this, and when you “register” you are asked for a Credit Card. You can’t get updates without giving them a credit card, and that means they have got you. You must keep getting updates to keep the software working to specification.

In a year when your “subscription” is to be renewed, the renewal price is at least twice as much as you paid the previous year.

You do have a way out, you can go on line, and turn off Auto-Renew on your subscription. This is where it gets interesting.

  1. You click the Auto-Renew to “No
  2. Suddenly it asks for a reason why? I answered, “Too expensive
  3. Next the web site says, “What if we give you an Amazon $30 Gift Card?”
    • Where was this perk? This kind of bate and switch silliness I expect from Rogers or Bell. with this “perk” suddenly the cost of renewing isn’t as bad.
  4. If you just don’t like this, keep saying No, maybe you’ll get other “perks”? A set of Ginsu Knives?

I really despise this kind of product silliness, but it looks like the Anti-Virus world is becoming like other Tech Firms (e.g. Internet Provider, Cell Phone Provider, etc.,).

Conclusions

Is the Anti-Virus worth having? Maybe, I am sure folks will argue you don’t need it, or worse, they don’t work, but I will continue to play along (for now).

Feel Free to Comment

  1. Interesting (and somewhat annoying) experience you’ve had. Mine has been somewhat different. I have McAfee for my anti-virus. It came as one of those “free trial” software items when I purchased my laptop. Sure it has annual subscription fees but those have remained reasonably constant, starting out at $80/year for the first few years and rising to $90 the past two years.

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