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Nice try, Symantec! Cheesey video warns against free antivirus
The spot starts by mentioning love. Yeah, that's free, right? Sure, except for weddings says the straightman - those could cost as much as *gasp* $10,000! I'm not sure what year Symantec thinks it is, but I'm pretty sure many weddings run well in excess of three to five times that amount.
What about kids, those are great - and free! No, jackass, that's another bad call on your part. They're expensive too, says Unfunny Guy. Really? Thanks for pointing that out.
Actually, those are two great reasons to use free antivirus, Symantec. I mean, since we're all saving up money for that expensive wedding and the cost of raising children, why should we blow $50 a year on your antivirus when we don't have to?
Security Essentials has gotten rave reviews and plenty of other free antivirus apps - like Avira, Avast, AVG, Panda Cloud AV - have a solid track record despite what Norton claims.
By the way, as for making the firewall sound like a difference maker - it's not. Windows has included a firewall since XP. And there are plenty of third party options available if that's not good enough for you. The only real difference in your video? Tech support. And I don't remember when the last time was that I heard a customer give glowing reviews to Symantec's consumer tech support.
You know what else isn't free? Acting lessons and a quality ad agency. But Symantec probably already knows that.
By the way, if you're looking for free antivirus for Windows: Microsoft Security Essentials drops today, and there's a big list of other options on our site as well. Or you can go pay for Norton. Your call.
[via Digital Inspiration]
Comments
29
Subscribe to commentsTomSep 29th 2009 10:25AM
That guy's face at the end is so smug it's difficult to resist shouting at the TV and vomiting at the same time.
We're beginning to think that tech firms are releasing bad videos on purpose because they often turn out to be more viral. What other reason could explain Microsoft's most recent campaigns, and now this fresh horror.
Lee MathewsSep 29th 2009 10:27AM
It's true, Tom. Everyone loves a video trainwreck!
rokicSep 29th 2009 10:30AM
Actually, Avast! scans mail, IM, web-sites and P2P. And it's free, so I'll be buying some beer for the $50 which I won't be giving to Symantec. Also, Windows firewall is the main reason for abandoning Zonealarm's behemoth. Regarding customer-support; one can't really expect Rajiv explaining on-boot virus scan to someone who doesn't even know what "boot process" is. People who know that, don't call customer support.
dXm99Sep 29th 2009 10:28AM
I have found this on-line:
Many states have laws against false advertising, which vary by state. The main federal laws governing false advertising are the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act and the Lanham Act. Under the FTC Act, false advertising includes advertisements that make representations that the advertiser has no reasonable basis to believe, even if the representations turn out to be true. Only the Federal Trade Commission can enforce the FTC Act.
Freeware do scan web pages, emails and IMs, stop hackers. Freeware do have firewall and intrusion blocking + Freeware have HIPS (which according to commercial payware security does not have :D )
Since this is obviously false advertising is there a chance that Symantec will face charges?
rokicSep 29th 2009 10:50AM
I don't believe such accusations would hold water. Symantec didn't say that AVG or Avast! don't have any of those things - they said "freeware"; download. com has 142 free antivirus programs (I didn't actually count them, so I'm not sure if there are several versions of a single program), so Symantec can say they were talking about any of those programs.
dXm99Sep 29th 2009 10:59AM
On the other side not all "Norton" products have advertised features....
StrausySep 29th 2009 10:29AM
Why exactly couldn't they talk? I'm annoyed by this type of "we are going to be cute and not say anything, but use annoying facial expressions" video.
PTSep 29th 2009 10:38AM
?
LOL Not true & Not funny
Kris120890Sep 29th 2009 10:52AM
Most people won't see this video. But still is the most pathetic video I've seen in along time. This is Norton running scared.
Drew GreenSep 29th 2009 11:09AM
People will always continue to hate on Norton and go with free programs. I for one don't find the annual fee much of a burden on my wallet and would much rather have the peace of mind that Norton has provided me for the past decade, especially with Norton 2009 and 2010. While Norton was bloated in the past, it still protected me from malware threats successfully.
AzayzelSep 29th 2009 12:57PM
If you've only been relying on Norton, then you probably need to download an AV program with a proven track record for the best detection. I used McAfee for a long time & switched to Norton when it was offered free from my company... too bad neither were catching all the malware that was floating around out there, esp. on a .edu domain.
I got tired of this crap so did tracked down and read several third-party reviews that put things in black and white with unbiased tests. Norton & McAfee scored way down with Panda, Avast & Avira up at the top. The shootout is performed several times a year to keep up with changing engines & updates. IMO in this case free is far and above better than any software subscription... sorry Norton, you just don't measure up.
Eric HSep 29th 2009 2:45PM
I can count off about 25 customers of mine who haven't been as lucky as you with Norton.
RelequestualSep 29th 2009 11:50AM
Yet another reason to hate Nortan. LIES!
JasSep 29th 2009 11:56AM
"straightman " - anything but straight.
RocketboySep 29th 2009 1:55PM
I was going to say that he doesn't have to worry about the cost of marriage, depending on what state he lives in, but alas, I'm sure that will just cause someone to bitch about something.
JordanSep 29th 2009 11:33AM
You've been protecting my computer for years, Symantec, but I think it's time we say good-bye
CamSep 29th 2009 11:37AM
I like my antivirus to not take up half of my RAM and CPU, and actually , y'know, let me use the computer...
RpbSep 29th 2009 12:44PM
Who exactly are they advertising to? The people that know about freeware will likely use it, and those that don't know about freeware already use Norton or similar.
This is to scare idiots who had their friends install anti-virus on their PC.
MonicaSep 29th 2009 11:54AM
Sortof like an Apple commercial but just that much more obnoxious and arrogant. I've never liked Apple commercials and this gos that much further with they style.
A better way to do it, is admin that free antivirus is good, but here's why we are better.
Too obvious me thinks!
MMSep 29th 2009 12:29PM
I use norton but have never paid for it. This year I got it for $9 from buy.com and $20 rebate. Effective symantec paid me $11 to use it. It is better than freeware.