In my experience you need to renew on an annual basis with Norton even if you don't upgrade to a new version of the software. I became unhappy with Norton for a lot of reasons, but the final straw was that it would not allow me to update the definitions while I still had a month to go on the subscription...at which time the daily nags to renew begin. You might consider free antivirus programs like Avast or AntiVir. Check BB's thread here for links.

 

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&thread.id=66825

what specific other antivirus programs are you talking about? 

 

norton activation is good for one year... if you still have time left on the subscription you can upgrade to the 2009 version when it gets released.  upgrades are free as long as you subscription has not expired.  once it is expired you must either get another activation or switch to something else.  I routinely see free after rebates for a number of pay antivirus programs.  Or you can go the totally free route if you want.  It's your call. 

Thanks to those of you that responded. Yes, I am aware that Symantec pretty much "forces," one to renew with live update. They frighten you by telling you, that you are no longer protected without having the subscription service. That is my "beef," with Symantec. The renewal subscription is as much as buying a new version of Norton, so one might as well just go out and get a new one ,to become automatically renewed with LIVE UPDATE. No, I let the subscription run out, so I can't get the upgrade, however, keep in mind the Live Update renewal will not be free. That is why I posted this complaint. Other pc users told me free virus definitions are available from Symantec. I do believe they are misinformed. I wanted to see who knew what out there about these so called "free," virus definitions.