Renewing ant-virus software

Mines can update automatically without restart computer.

moost installation software need restart computer for activity of memory. its not too bother for safety

Renewing your anti-virus software is just paying to extend the life of that old product. I prefer paying for a newer version (if not latest), or even another, anti-virus software that is maybe more powerful (or even better, based on reviews/ratings/experiences) than the old one. The problem you had encountered can be avoided in this manner.

Unless, of course, you are satisfied with the one you have. Renew it!

The software is regularly updated to the latest version - quite apart from frequent virus patches. The current issue is listed on the company's website, and my system has been up-to-date on the two occasions that I've checked - plus the software occasionally requests large downloads, which you can install at your (in)convenience. The renewal process should simply ensure that this continues - so there should be no need for any major activity on renewal. The software gets good security reviews, is at the lower end for machine loading, and I have never had any viral issues; so the only reason for change would be irritation at the renewal process.

So, perhaps my post was unclear - that we should support* anti-virus suppliers that give effective and low-overhead protection - and that value the time of their customers sufficiently that renewal etc. requires the minimum of user intervention. (Providing new keys and new license numbers that need the user to go through a full installation for each does not qualify)
*This would include recommending them - here for example

Fyz

I totally agree!

Anti-virus software suppliers should make the renewal process be as simple as possible. It's a wise and effective way of keeping their customers happy! and eventually continue using their product.

Why not try AVG Free Edition???

I have found it just as effective as Symantec and McAfee, if not more so!

Once tried Panda on my Laptop, it was the most horrible experience ever, freezing constantly, no customer support, couldn't unistall.

I finally wiped out the "stuff" I considered proprietary, hand uninstalled Panda (a few wasted hours here), installed AVG Free, bought a new laptop, and gave away the old one.

Yeah, I was running EX Pro, both Windows and Office Suite, enough memory, big enough Harddrive, etc.

AVG doesn't have on all of the Anti spam, popup, etc stuff.

I now better control my experience with a great firewall (Not MS), and other types of spyware.

I suspect that browsers don't like a lot of the Anti Virus Systems configurations and balk at their scans and such.

And, I guess it was a blessing in disguise, because I now update my Laptop every 2 years, and "Compute into History"

Just experiences throughout the years that I feel need to be shared.

I too use AVG free - on one home e-mail machine, where nothing too critical is stored. It seems to be pretty good, even though I'm running historic NT. But lack of firewall and spyware means it's not really appropriate if you need to hold any confidential data. For example, I'd be nervous about online banking without a decent firewall and anti-spy ware; and I'm not too confident about mixing firewall and spyware from different suppliers.

Today, a great bank has also initiated several levels of security to enhance our experiences.

I imagine that almost all of us here have a much better grasp on the need for security and exceed the average user.

Things such as changing passwords, deleting history, cookies, files, etc.

Working with all of this stuff through the years, I stumbled across a mix that works fine.

I suspect that most people don't adhere to the trial and error method, but it works for me.

I also encrypt if I deem it necessary.

And then, another gripe, fighting MS spell check while working on a UK English Doc.

Still running XP Pro on all of my machines. Office 2003 for the Office Suite.

MS is slowly getting better with security and runs a virus scan every time a Office Doc is opened.

The problem I anticipate is not lack of encryption, but keyboard/mouse mining. I fear (don't know) that the use of pulldowns for each letter/number of the password isn't as robust as you might wish - you might be able to extract back over a few entries (based on ranges, pauses and relative movements) even if the bank randomised the scaling of the pulldowns.

Sadly, you are probably right.

We will never eliminate the crooks, frauds, sloths, cheats, and sneaks amongst our midsts.

Being single and traveling 250 days a year, I have to take some risks.

I scan for the dialers, key loggers, and trojans daily after updating.

Have you ever tried CCleaner and asquared?

I know that there are others out there and I use them also.

Thanks - those sound hopeful.

Fyz

MajorGeeks.com has become my Security Bible.

It is the first page I Visit and Bookmark when I get a new Desktop or Laptop.

WHAT??? Software developers actually thinking about how people might use their ideas??? What a unique idea...

C'mon, not every software developer was 'trained' by MS before using their products for themselves - surely??

Some of the add on's are all ready with the main software. The key just opens the up for use.