Virus SW registration for updates

"FromTheRafters" wrote in message ...
> "Ludwig77" wrote in message
> > I have an older version of Norton Antivirus that Norton no longer
> > supports.
>
> I have NAV 5.0 (is that the one?)
>
> > I do not have to pay a subscription for updating my .dat files.
>
> Nor do I, evidently.
>
> > Does all of the newer Software require that users pay such a
> > subscription?
>
> That does seem to be the trend, but as to whether *all* of them
> do that, I don't know. I don't see any problem with that trend
> because it is after all a "service" that they provide, and time and
> effort go into the development of definitions files.
>
> > Would anyone have any idea why Norton still lets me receive updates
> > just because I'm using older SW? That seems very strange.
>
> I just assumed that they didn't want to aggravate users of the
> older versions. Those users will soon *need* to get a more
> modern AV program, so why alienate them.
>
> (...or it could be an error on their part hehehe ~ Shhhhh!)

I'm using Nav 4.04. I bought the SW legally, and I have registered
before, but I have since reinstalled the SW. The SW says that I
haven't registered but that's because it doesn't know about my
previous registration before the reinstall.

Why would I ever *need* to upgrade my antivirus SW?

Furthermore, how do these free AV SW providers get away with giving
away their service *and* providing what I assume are *free* updates?
 >> Stay informed about: Virus SW registration for updates 

Ludwig77 wrote:
[snip]
> I'm using Nav 4.04. I bought the SW legally, and I have registered
> before, but I have since reinstalled the SW. The SW says that I
> haven't registered but that's because it doesn't know about my
> previous registration before the reinstall.
>
> Why would I ever *need* to upgrade my antivirus SW?

because old ones don't detect newer viruses, no matter how often you
update the defs... you see they make updates to the scanning engine and
then generate defs that only the more up to date scanning engine can use
properly...

that's why you need to upgrade your anti-virus software...

> Furthermore, how do these free AV SW providers get away with giving
> away their service *and* providing what I assume are *free* updates?

generally, by only giving it away to home users - corporate customers
still have to pay... or corporate customers have to pay for the extra
features that one would want to use in a corporate environment (like
central management)...

--
"when surveys of all the world's countries are done,
canada frequently rates number one.
are we the best country? well we'll never know...
there's nowhere else we can afford to go."
 >> Stay informed about: Virus SW registration for updates 

On 28 Jun 2003 08:52:51 -0700, Ludwig77 wrote:

> Why would I ever *need* to upgrade my antivirus SW?

Your using a MS operating system, why aren't you using
their av software, MSAV? <BG>

A silly question, in response to a silly question. The
updates will not continue to be available for the current
version of any av product, indefinitely. At some point,
the software has to change, to keep up with the new
methods, and types of infection MS provides. For example,
older av sofware isn't going to be looking for a virus
that uses features only available in XP, such a raw
socket i/o.

> Furthermore, how do these free AV SW providers get away with giving
> away their service *and* providing what I assume are *free* updates?

Free for home use, not for commercial seems to be the most
common. The free for home use is almost required, for the
av to build enough reputation, to be considered for commercial
use. You have to trust the av will continue to be kept up-to-date,
or there is no point spending the time and money installing it in
a corporate environment.

Regards, Dave Hodgins
 >> Stay informed about: Virus SW registration for updates 

"Ludwig77" wrote in message

> > I just assumed that they didn't want to aggravate users of the
> > older versions. Those users will soon *need* to get a more
> > modern AV program, so why alienate them.

> Why would I ever *need* to upgrade my antivirus SW?

Assuming that you have no *need* for scanning inside archives,
you may still have to deal with runtime unpackers which the
emulation part of the AV software will need to support. When
some *new* pack/unpack algorithm is developed, the AV will
need to develop both a 'definition string' to identify it, and a
means to get the virus to display that string in emulation. I think
that this would require engine modification as well to even make
use of the new definition string.

There may also be some 'heuristic method' advances that require
changes beyong the scope of new definitions sets.

> Furthermore, how do these free AV SW providers get away with giving
> away their service *and* providing what I assume are *free* updates?

....they all have bigger fish to fry, have you ever heard what corporate
licenses cost?
 >> Stay informed about: Virus SW registration for updates