I think that's what happened when I resubscribed to a Norton product in 2007.

Thanks I think I'll install that on a neighbour's laptop.

Use Linux
Problem solved

Ignorance is bliss.

In reply to a post by ARD:

I�ll be buying my first Window 8 system before the end of the month. I think it will ship preinstalled with a 60-day trial of Symantec�s AV and security suite. I used Symantec products for almost ten years until a paid-for annual update crashed an XP system, necessiting a clean install. Moreover, by that time the product was hogging resources. I don�t want to go for it again. I like Zone Alarm�s firewall but lack faith in its AV. What to go for? At he moment I�m looking at the following:

· BitDefender
· Panda
· Eset

I�d welcome your opinion of these products and alternatives

You might as well ask which religion is best. Everyone has their own opinion and of course their choice is the one to run with. No amount of research automatically points to the most effective software product to keep your PC free of unwanted intrusions. However when things inevitably go wrong you want the best support to clear the mess up. My company uses the offering from one in your shortlist on over 80 PCs and have no intention of seeking an alternative software suit. Support is first class when needed. I'll leave you to discover for yourself this gem. Remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

I only use Eset product these days. Been doing so since ditching Norton years ago, and had no problems whatsoever since.
It is a paid for product, but it works well.

In reply to a post by bobble_bob:

I use MSE and Windows firewall on my Win 7 machine. Found from experience that 3rd party AV programs can have bad definition updates that list a critical windows process as a virus and breaks your machine.

Actually it was a bad Win7 update from Microsoft that caused a few problems several months ago particularly with Kaspersky. Kaspersky "system watcher" wouldn't allow the OS to fully boot because it saw a potentially hazardous corrupt file. I'm pleased that it did since it showed that it was actually doing the job that it was intended to do. A day or so later Microsoft sent another update to correct that previous corrupt update and then all was well

In reply to a post by clyde123:

I only use Eset product these days. Been doing so since ditching Norton years ago, and had no problems whatsoever since.
It is a paid for product, but it works well.

I have to say that for critical Windoze machines I use ESET too. It doesn't seem to have any adverse performance impact on the machines. I know that Symantec products, especially the Norton ones used to clog up resources horribly but I am told that this has now been sorted.

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-8/...

I highly recommend ESET Smart Security - ESS Version 7 is in beta ATM but from what I have quickly seen ESS v7 has revamped its features with some really powerful and flexible rule based options. HIPS and more.

Also, Symantec�s had a security breach with their Source code which had been leaked by lulzSec and Norton AV 2006 SC had been pasted online..
IMHO, I would keep away from Norton/Symantec lulzSec breach Norton 2006 - Read here