A very small number of customers have used these terms to describe what is done during the Panther Tune-up even though we are always specific to explain the process before you agree to have the work performed.  Though the number is small, we felt we should further explain and provide you directions on how to deal with the misperception, and how - if you insist - to go back to your previous anti-virus software.

First, we do not steal at all or we would be in jeapordy of not only our reputation, but of our liberty as well.  What is done is the existing anti-virus and spyware protection that obviously doesn't work, or your computer wouldn't be with us for the tune-up, is uninstalled.  Home users get free replacement software that we have determined is the best protection against current security threats.  You can find the software we are using listed in the FAQ "What's in the Panther Utilites Folder" on this site.  If you agree to the tune-up, you agree to this proceedure.  Business users are urged to use the professional version of the AVG products, and if they agree, then they specifically approved the removal of the old anti-virus.

Stealing suggests that we have taken something of yours without your permission.  You gave permission to uninstall when you agreed to the tune-up.  Additionally, we are not in possession of your anti-virus.  It was removed, virtually going into thin air.

Many systems that come through our doors that have anti-virus installed is out of date.  Either because you only had a 60 day free trial with your computer, or that it is old enough for the subscription service to have run out.  You have to pay yearly for purchased anti-virus software to keep the software up to date with the current threats.  For those that have current subscriptions, 70% are within two months of (our experience) being expired.  This leaves about 30% of you that recently purchased or renewed your anti-virus subscription.

Some customers express a keen determination that they must get every second of value from the anti-virus they bought.  The reality is that just becuase you paid for something, doesn't mean it should continue to be used.  If you buy a hammer that won't drive nails, would you insist on trying anyway.  No, you'd take it back for a refund, or throw it away and buy a better hammer that would.  In this case the hammer we give you is free (for home users) and you should either get a refund or throw away the anti-virus that you purchased that didn't protect you.

I will be writing more on the specific problems with the two main anti-products on the market today, but suffice it to say that we perform hundreds of tune-ups a year on machines protected by the two big guys, McAfee and Norton.  We have had as many as 28,000 viruses on one of these machines.  Doesn't sound like they are doing their job.

So if you still feel warm and fuzzy about your previous decision and can't stomache the AVG products, you have the right and ability to have AVG removed and your choice of anti-protection software installed.  For recent purchases, use the CD's that came with your software purchase.  If you bought on line, you were given codes, and emailed information on how to download and install your product and should repeat the process.

"But I deleted the email."  "I didn't order the CD."  "I didn't pay extra for the download forever service."  "I lost my original CD"  Take a look at the principle cause in each of these statements - the I is you and you made a choice when you purchsed to do so online, to not order the back up cd, or to not pay extra to download it whenever you needed.  You agreed to the tune-up, and all that it entails.  So if you made this many decisions, we'd appreciate it you took responsibility for your decisions and refrain from suggesting we stole your anti-virus.