Update: Symantec has released a patch for the activation error:
(Kevin will like this...you out there Kev?)
Here's the long and short:
For the whole story read about it here:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1395948,00.asp
Symantec knows that their product activation doesn't work and is putting customers at risk because the product is disabling itself.
I understand in principle the reasons behind the need for activation (protection of intellectual property...lost development revenue....yadda yadda,crap crap...) but for something as critical as AntiVirus software you must be 100% positive customers won't have an issue. Why can they not failsafe the product and have all activation counters set to unlimited (controlled by Symantec) until the product is fixed. Why wasn't this thought of when they were building the product? Symantec has dropped the ball here and really shown activation in it's ugliest light...rendering a security product useless. Essentially they are liable (yes liable) for the DOS attack, trojans and viruses and lost productivity due to failed product that's no fault of the consumer. Sounds too harsh? They came up with activation. Shoddy programming is no excuse. In the consultant world, you would promptly be shown the door. Activation is a nice idea but ultimately flawed. There has to be another way.
What do you guys think?
(Kevin will like this...you out there Kev?)
Here's the long and short:
In case you don't want to pay Symantec a visit, here's the salient paragraph from their document ID 2003093015493306 (dated October 31st, 2003):
Situation:
You install Norton AntiVirus 2004 (NAV) and activate the program successfully. However, whenever you restart the computer you are prompted to activate the program again. If you enter the activation code each time, then after a number of restarts you see the message "The trial period has expired. This product has been disabled because you have not activated it."
Solution:
Symantec is investigating this problem. The cause is unknown, and there is no solution at this time. This document will be updated when new information becomes available or a solution is found. "
Situation:
You install Norton AntiVirus 2004 (NAV) and activate the program successfully. However, whenever you restart the computer you are prompted to activate the program again. If you enter the activation code each time, then after a number of restarts you see the message "The trial period has expired. This product has been disabled because you have not activated it."
Solution:
Symantec is investigating this problem. The cause is unknown, and there is no solution at this time. This document will be updated when new information becomes available or a solution is found. "
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1395948,00.asp
Symantec knows that their product activation doesn't work and is putting customers at risk because the product is disabling itself.
I understand in principle the reasons behind the need for activation (protection of intellectual property...lost development revenue....yadda yadda,crap crap...) but for something as critical as AntiVirus software you must be 100% positive customers won't have an issue. Why can they not failsafe the product and have all activation counters set to unlimited (controlled by Symantec) until the product is fixed. Why wasn't this thought of when they were building the product? Symantec has dropped the ball here and really shown activation in it's ugliest light...rendering a security product useless. Essentially they are liable (yes liable) for the DOS attack, trojans and viruses and lost productivity due to failed product that's no fault of the consumer. Sounds too harsh? They came up with activation. Shoddy programming is no excuse. In the consultant world, you would promptly be shown the door. Activation is a nice idea but ultimately flawed. There has to be another way.
What do you guys think?
. However I do have some issues/questions:
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