I want to first say that I've been using your 30 days trials for about 3 years ever so often to remove viruses from other peoples systems (I am a technician) and have found Kaspersky to be the absolute best application for virus and Trojan termination. I have even removed trojans and viruses from computers running popular competing programs. When that happens I introduce the owners to Kaspersky and I don't get any complaints after that.
The main reason for this post is to let you be aware of one of my real beefs with these other applications. Aside from their inability to remove or detect some viruses the registration process is a real killer. If Kaspersky ever implements this scheme used by others I will cease to use your product and I'll tell you why.
It's a bit lengthy but bear with me. By the time you get to the end you'll understand my stance.
I just left another client's home where they are running a virus app beginning with M. The PC is less than 2 years old and the virus program came with it. So you understand that it is not very outdated. They were infected recently and I was summoned.
The Virus app beginning with M indicates that there is a problem and you should click to fix it. Does not say what the problem is. Except that protection is disabled and the PC is not protected. Trying to find details yields a blank wall. Can't find nothing.
So I click fix. At this point the application tells me I must register. Ok.
I am then informed that my account does not have permission to install files (Windows Vista so I understand)
So I log in with an admin account.
I click register now. Where I am asked to create an account or log into existing.
The dialogue box pre-populates the registration information and I supply the password and click next.
I am told a registration exist and I should log in with the existing account and password. Click here if you bought this computer from..... Click here if... (I thought I did that)
But I do it again using the log into existing account link
Same result - existing account exist please use username and password. Click here if you bought this computer from..... Click here if....
So I say perhaps the owner gave me the wrong password so I click forgot password
The M application manufacturer faithfully sends the password which I see is different from what I was told.
I then try to register again and the application beginning with M will not update or do anything else unless I complete this.
I try to log in again using the password sent in the email. This yields the same response.
Hmmmm.
I then use an account which I created when another user bought another PC with that particular program on it.
I even log into my account on M manufacturer's webpage to see my profile.
Then I try logging in with my username and password shown there.
The blasted thing tells my that a registration already exist. Click here if you bought this computer from..... Click here if... I flipping-well know that so log me in!!! For crying out loud!!
There is another manufacturer whose application begins with N who also uses the username and password system to create an account on their server.
Sometime later today or tomorrow that application will be removed and replaced by Kaskersky. The other account I tried with; that person's PC is also destined to have Kaspersky.
I have been removing both the N application and the M application quite frequently. and it's not that they do not work most of the time. My problem usually is trying to get the damm thing to update. Because that requires a login or some other nonsense they implemented that makes no sense. Like for example blocking DHCP request!!! and the owners of the computer DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!
Understand
a - the persons who registers the antivirus application may not be the user
b - the person who registered the PC may not remember the password he/she registered with. They may not have that email address anymore
c - your registration process may be broken as clearly that one was
d - the users PC may have a infection that disables internet browsing by fake DNS entries or disabling the browsers which makes the need to register before you can scan or fix the person's computer a major issue.
e - if the registration or update was never done as these new PC are not. Then the application is useless a year later as the definitions may be 2 years old!! And if it gets an internet disabling virus .......
f - All computers are not connected to the internet all the time. They may have been registered online initially but some companies have firewalls that block net access. Even for virus def updates.
There are all sorts of complications that can ruin the ability of an antivuris program to function effectively. So...
KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid
People want to surf the net and read email safely that is why they buy your application. They do not want anything else from you. They don't want to hear from you except that the subscription is about to expire. They don't want to join any club. They really don't give 2 hoots if the password they registered with is about to expire cause they either did not give it to you, can't remember doing it or don't think that is important. If they click on an infected program they want you to deal with it. If an unsafe website loads they want you to block it. They want your application to be updated. That is all.
This registration nonsense leads to frustration for technicians who are responsible for multiple PCs which means that under that crap program they will have to register multiple times. If you want to know how many users have your application do it simple. When the app is installed let them click a registration button to send the product key and perhaps a location to your server. Bingo!! registration complete.
I complement Kaspersky on the update process. They gave me the option to schedule it or do it automatically. Furthermore the update and registration are easily done during the install.
Another thing; a username and a password does nothing to stop piracy. If I give them my CD with my key. Don't you think I'd give them the username and password too?
I was so mad after leaving that client just now because I have other things to do today. Going back there to install Kaspersky was not in my plan for the day. I have other things to do. And just because of a blasted registration!!! So M can see who I am!! I paid for the damm thing already!!! I don't give a shit if you need to know who I am or not. I paid to have your application on my system and it does not work!!!
So to be clear.
The day that I find Kaspersky implements this system to control the use of their application is the last day I will install it. I am running Kaspersky 2009 now and look forward to 2010. It sits in the corner and does it's thing. I get my prompts when something happens and it updates itself quietly when it is supposed to. That's all I want it to do.
Keep up the good work and remember stay away from user accounts and passwords at all cost. The current registration/update system works and it works great don't change a thing and you are guaranteed continued purchases and renewals from all of my clients.
DBeckles
A+ CCNA, CCDA, MCP
Barbados