Hmm, rebranded Ask toolbar now too? I don't think I'm going to tolerate this. Avira is going to be removed from all customer computers because it's going to harm my reputation. It's probably going to take me a long time to sort this mess. (It took a year to get rid of the bulk of the Avast installs, but most of them inevitably came back to bite me in the ass. Eventually I heard from people even later than that. It's a more effective program now, but I still do not trust Avast).

I've actually seen the Ask toolbar get hacked (it's meant to be extended) and be the source of recurring infections. I didn't believe it at first, but it came up in a google search when I searched for some specific keywords while looking for information about an infection. But sure enough... removal of Ask toolbar was the solution. Since then, every Ask toolbar I see (whether rebranded by HP or anyone or not) gets removed.

Nice way to reinforce the new FUD ads on TV from Symantec that promote Norton 360. Where the whole world is mad at some geek for recommending a "free one" because they "still got hacked". People believe that shit too, and their antivirus will ALWAYS fail to stop all that stuff, no matter which one they have, so the advertising works.

I think the era of free antivirus programs is over, not because they aren't good, but because there is no trust. I don't want to take another hit on my reputation by recommending that people use these products, so I think I'm going to buy up a bunch of Norton Antivirus OEM licenses. I'll get them cheap (they'll just have 60 day or maybe 1 year subscriptions that they'll have to renew) and just give it to them at no extra charge, included in the cost of the labour.

A standalone Norton Antivirus isn't too bad nowadays and it's the "industry leader". I've tried to stick to my ideals, but like everyone else I'll just shift the responsibility. Why should I go out on a limb and recommend fringe products (better or not) only to have some family member or self proclaimed expert tell them it's because they don't have Norton.

I have a lot of people using the paid for Avira too and they will be replaced as well. Why do companies always have to ruin a good product?

Part of what makes Avira strong is that they act very quickly to add detections for unknown malware that people submit. I've submitted numerous samples, and by the next day they've been added, every time. With a smaller user base (which is what's going to happen if they lose people's trust) there will be less of that too.