Another reason to hate Nortons [View All]

[canetoad]

I'm sure the only reason it's loaded on ANY machine is a result of all the free CDs they give away. Now Norton and McAfee are in strife for one of my pet hates: putting a firewall between yourself and your customers and hiding behind it.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/security/symantec-mcafee-fined-over-unauthorised-renewals/2009/06/12/1244664838787.html

Symantec, McAfee fined over unauthorised renewals

Asher Moses
June 12, 2009 - 2:32PM


Symantec and McAfee have overhauled the way they handle Australian subscribers to their anti-virus products after they were fined $US750,000 ($922,000) by US authorities for routinely charging customer credit cards without permission.

New York's Attorney-General, Andrew Cuomo, investigated the two largest computer security software companies after receiving complaints and found they were charging customers to renew subscriptions without their knowledge or consent.

The investigation also revealed that both Symantec and McAfee made it difficult for consumers to contact them to opt out of automatic renewal or to request refunds for unauthorised credit card charges. Each was fined $US375,000.

"Companies cannot play hide the ball when it comes to the fees consumers are being charged," Cuomo said.

"Consumers have a right to know what they are paying, especially when they are unwittingly agreeing to renewal fees that will not appear on their credit card bill for months."