Renew antivirus cheaper

jasonstack

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and wanted to start by sharing a tip I found out this morning.
If you use paid for antivirus (not Microsoft or AVG free) then you can save loads when renewing by not buying the renewal through the official channels.
It's legal and works - buy last year's product online and use the code!
I can't post a link to the article I read, but Google for 'renew antivirus with massive discounts' and it's the first proper link under the adverts.
Thanks and hope to learn lots here.
Js.

m5rcc

That applies to many things, like car insurance for example.

Thanks all the same

jasonstack

How can I buy car insurance for less than the insurer is selling it direct? That sounds very interesting!

With the antivirus thing, you are subscribing using an old but valid code. I don't see the connection :embarasse

krlyr

I think m5rcc means that with car insurance, it's usually cheaper to sign up to a new policy with your existing insurance company as opposed to continuing your policy with your renewal price. Certainly applied in my case, as a new customer I was quoted £200 less than my recent renewal price.
Even more money-saving in regards to anti-virus software - use free ones like avast! instead.

jasonstack

Ah I see. In this case it's a way of saving money by sticking with the same antivirus. So if I like Kaspersky (which I do) I don't have to spend the official renewal price. I can buy Kaspersky 2011 online from Amazon and use the code when my 2012 version expires. It works because the companies always allow free upgrades from one version to the next. You don't buy the software - you buy a subscription to the service through the software. Or something like that lol!

m5rcc

jasonstack wrote: »

How can I buy car insurance for less than the insurer is selling it direct? That sounds very interesting!

With the antivirus thing, you are subscribing using an old but valid code. I don't see the connection :embarasse

No, when you get a renewal from your insurance provider, you will often find that if you go as a new customer with the same provider, you will find it substantially cheaper than the renewal they've given you. They do not reward loyalty.

jasonstack

m5rcc wrote: »

No, when you get a renewal from your insurance provider, you will often find that if you go as a new customer with the same provider, you will find it substantially cheaper than the renewal they've given you. They do not reward loyalty.

Yeah, OK. Seems like two different things to me.

Insurance: get a separate quote for a possible discount
Antivirus: buy an old code for massive discount

Js.

Derivative

Buying anti-virus is a complete waste of money.
In fact, unless you have large amounts in your bank accounts that you're worried about, there's not much reason to even bother.
Active scanning software slows down your computer for no real gain, it's like having a security guard running around your house looking for burglars 24/7.

If your computer starts to noticeably slow, then run a free online scan. Reinstall Windows if it catches anything.

I've not had a virus in ten years of computing, it's really not rocket science - update whenever possible and don't download random .exe files from !!!!!! websites. Job done.

If you are worried about an executable file you've downloaded and whether it's safe to run, http://virusscan.jotti.org/en-gb is a free online scanner. It uses all the major tools and will likely catch more than you would if you just ran the one.

waddler_8

Derivative wrote: »

Active scanning software slows down your computer for no real gain... If your computer starts to noticeably slow, then run a free online scan.

Prevention - it's no use detecting malware after it's stolen your data. I've seen scores of computers with mbam logs showing files and folders removed after the fact that have contained stolen data that has been uploaded to some criminals server.

Derivative wrote: »

update whenever possible and don't download random .exe files from !!!!!! websites.

Don't do !!!!!! and you'll be ok is old news. Malware's moved out of the holes and into the mainstream, it's possible for you to get infected visiting any site - I've seen everything from forums to .gov.uk sites injected with malcode. Malware's using more and more ways to get itself installed on your computer - and lots of users fall for the tricks.

And users just don't update - just about every logfile posted here has users running outdated, vulnerable software. At least if they're runing an AV it gives them a better chance of avoiding infection and all the hassle & worry that goes with it.