Complaint Review: Symantec

Do own a Symantec product that utilizes Live-Update?
Then you may wish to check out this Rip-Off Report.

I have Symantec - Norton Internet Security 2005 installed on my system (along with many other Symantec Products). My current subscription expires on Sept 2, 2006. However, for the last month I have been getting this obtrusive little pop-up that reminds me to renew my subscription. I don't 'renew' as the fees are usually higher than purchasing the complete software package at a retail store. Note: I have already purchased NIS2006 for installation after my subscription expires.

This Rip-off Report is to inform you of the neat little trick Symantec has enacted. For the last several weeks, I have been getting a Symantec Renewal Center Pop-up that prohibits me from receiving any updates unless I renew my subscription early.

The actual pop-up states that I must "Renew your subscription to retrieve the latest protection updates using LiveUpdate."
There is an option to select 'Next' which sends you to the Renewal Center, and a 'Skip' to exit the renewal center pop-up.
If you choose 'Skip', Live Update conveniently reopens the pop-up without continuing.

This prevents you from receiving the 'Full Term' of your paid subscription and permits you to become 'At-Risk' for developing viruses, trojans, worms, etc.

Phone calls to Symantec concerning this matter were tranfered around and around. No definitive answer was provided other than "Renew your subscription." Again, this would short each customer a month per subscription per product. I am actually being shorted seven months for my Norton System Works 2006 as it does not expire until March 19, 2007. Live Update will not complete due to renewal issues for NIS2005, therefore I am not getting any updates for it either.

And Symantec states they are "Helping to ensure the security and availability of your information." Odd way of performing that by clever Ripoffs and denial of service for paid subscriptions.

David
Ballwin, Missouri
U.S.A.