Really?

[STV0726]

Do you guys really need to advertise to paying customers? Really?

Save the advertisements and storage promotions for Identity Shield free version, please.

Advertisements of ANY sort are a no-no for security product GUIs because they have the potential of confusing simple-minded, non-tech savvy users into upgrading something they do not need, and then the person that manages the software for them has to deal with the consequences. Besides, we all paid for WSA, we don't need advertisements please.

UPDATE: As soon as I can reproduce the issue again, I will definitely post a screenshot. Meanwhile, the advertisement message I am referring to shows in the bottom of the GUI where it normally says "Want to learn more about Webroot?" The advertisement message promotes upgrading your storage for Backup & Sync.

2nd UPDATE: YES! I CAUGHT THE DEMON! SEE...I am NOT going insane!

[pegas]

Hmm, am I missing something? Can you please elaborate a bit. I don't see ads in my WSA Essentials installation.

[sturgess]

STV0726 Define for me if you would "simple-minded, non-tech savvy users" ?

[fax]

The OP seems to be speaking to himself. Probably received an e-mail from webroot about WSA?
I guess he/she will need to look for the unsubscribe hyperlink

[Muddy3]

Hey, give STV0726 a break! OK, I cannot recall having seen any stuff in my Inbox advertising Webroot products (though I may have). But I seem to be getting constantly hammered by their emails, telling me all about Webroot (last time it was about some of them having their heads shaved LOL!!) and all kinds of other stuff about apps, new threats etc...even cooking recipes. What next?!?

How I yearn for the good old Prevx days! No emails, no nothing. But if you wished, you could always (at your own convenience) look at their website blog and learn all kinds of things about malware and new tactics by malware writers. But that was your choice, and when you wanted—which is the right way round. No harrassment, as with this constant avalanche of emails.

Signed: an unashamedly "simple-minded, non-tech savvy user". And hey, I'm not offended by STV's use of that description.

[pegas]

I am still quite confused as regards STV0726's complaint. Originally I thought, reading "... Advertisements of ANY sort are a no-no for security product GUIs ...", that he is pointing to any ads being displayed in or by means of WSA GUI. Though I may be wrong as english is not my native language ...

[Amit]

Originally Posted by STV0726

Advertisements of ANY sort are a no-no for security product GUIs

I don't see any advertisement on wsa gui. Can you kindly post a screenshot?

[ProTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by pegas

I am still quite confused as regards STV0726's complaint. Originally I thought, reading "... Advertisements of ANY sort are a no-no for security product GUIs ...", that he is pointing to any ads being displayed in or by means of WSA GUI. Though I may be wrong as english is not my native language ...

That's the way I understood STV0726's post. Now I'm

[pegas]

Thanks to ProTruckDriver and ams963 I know that I understood correctly

[Dark Shadow]

I used the trial and not once ever seen any ads and dont think It would have been any different if I shelled out the cash.Can you please elaborate a little more of what your refering to.thanks.

[Amit]

Originally Posted by pegas

Thanks to ProTruckDriver and ams963 I know that I understood correctly

you sure did

[PrevxHelp]

The only advertisements I've heard of are for discounts on renewal as you're about to expire, which I'd personally not consider to be something negative. Could you let me know specifically what you're referring to?

[Amit]

Originally Posted by PrevxHelp

The only advertisements I've heard of are for discounts on renewal as you're about to expire, which I'd personally not consider to be something negative. Could you let me know specifically what you're referring to?

I think discount ads are exactly what he is trying to refer. If so, I think it's not something negative either as every software I've used does that.

[Techfox1976]

Playing Devil's Advocate here...

I rarely see anything at all that doesn't advertise if there's a way to try to encourage people to pay more money. I mean, if you have Complete for three years and 100GB of storage space, well, there's nothing o pay more for... But I doubt any marketing system is smart enough to say "You have the bestest thing evar, so I won't try to sell you anything else, because there is nothing else I can sell you."

Honestly, given that Webroot (and any company) needs to make money in order to keep providing the stuff, it's an issue. People buying $5 old keycodes that were supposed to have been destroyed (Which translates to "Webroot makes no money off those sales and loses the cost of supporting them for a year"), horrendously deep discounts, and a buyer attitude of wanting something for (almost?) nothing really puts companies in a bind. Some of the best security products that were out there are ten seven just because they couldn't monetize sufficiently to stay in operation.

So, I haven't seen these ads at all, so I have no idea, but if it comes down to "Make extra money from 100,000 people at the cost of losing 1,000 who are annoyed with the ads", then any smart company will put ads there.

Edit: If the ads are specifically for upgrades or renewal discounts or whatever -for the company- (first party ads), fine. If they start sticking ads for third party stuff on there, that's just tacky. I don't want to get advertisements for Flea and Tick control on my security software. Could you see that happening? "Your computer may be bug-free, but how are your pets doing?"

[Muddy3]

Footnote to my above post: seems I need reading lessons or reading glasses. I missed the word "GUI"

But as fantastic as WSA is, I wish they wouldn't send me so many emails. I feel like I'm being spammed!

[Triple Helix]

Originally Posted by Techfox1976

Edit: If the ads are specifically for upgrades or renewal discounts or whatever -for the company- (first party ads), fine. If they start sticking ads for third party stuff on there, that's just tacky. I don't want to get advertisements for Flea and Tick control on my security software. Could you see that happening? "Your computer may be bug-free, but how are your pets doing?"

I agree if that's all it is I see no problem for discounts on renewal ads when your license is about to expire!

TH

[Triple Helix]

Originally Posted by Muddy3

Footnote to my above post: seems I need reading lessons or reading glasses. I missed the word "GUI"

But as fantastic as WSA is, I wish they wouldn't send me so many emails. I feel like I'm being spammed!

Did you sign up for newsletters? If so at the bottom of each email there should be an unsubscribe link!

TH

[PrevxHelp]

Originally Posted by Techfox1976

If they start sticking ads for third party stuff on there, that's just tacky. I don't want to get advertisements for Flea and Tick control on my security software. Could you see that happening? "Your computer may be bug-free, but how are your pets doing?"

That made me literally laugh out loud Rest assured, we won't be cross selling that aggressively

[Muddy3]

Originally Posted by Triple Helix

Did you sign up for newsletters? If so at the bottom of each email there should be an unsubscribe link!

TH

Point taken!

I’m never too eager to unsubscribe from mailings I receive from legitimate organisations, as the next one might actually have some information important to me. On the other hand, if I am the goof that signed up to them in the first place, then I suppose your point is pretty persuasive that I have no-one other than myself to blame...

[STV0726]

Sorry, I would have thought more than just me would have noticed the sneaky little "Learn More About Webroot" area at. bottom of GUI covertly, occassionally turning into "Upgrade to 100GB now."

That's an ad. I don't care what you say. Let's get real here. You paid for whatever version you paid for. No need for advertisements.

And by simple-minded I mean you install WSA for grandma and she clicks that thinking she needs that because her security program is telling her to buy something.

I don't like to be solicited. If Microsoft can offer a 100% ad-free free product, I think Webroot can offer an ad-free paid product.

EDIT: If you are concerned ppl aren't aware they can upgrade storage, make that more apparent somewhere else without making it look like an ad, because that's exactly what it is. Maybe put a link to upgrade storage permanently in the My Account tab, instead of showing it in the Overview tab which makes it more of an eye soar.

[Triple Helix]

@ STV0726 - I have never seen that can you post a screenshot? Maybe I don't see it is because I don't use the Back Up & Sync feature?

TIA,

TH

[TonyW]

Originally Posted by STV0726

Sorry, I would have thought more than just me would have noticed the sneaky little "Learn More About Webroot" area at. bottom of GUI covertly, occassionally turning into "Upgrade to 100GB now."

I haven't seen that, but then I'm not using Backup & Sync. I already have backup strategies in place so have no need for the Essentials offering or the option to upgrade to more backup space in the Complete version.

[STV0726]

I don't use backup/sync either. I'll post a screenshot when I see it next. It cycles between that and the standard "Learn More"

[Baldrick]

It may cycle but if it does then I have never seen it...ever...oh b*gg&r...now I am going to have to stay up all night looking at the GUI trying to catch it 'sneaking out'.

[Triple Helix]

Originally Posted by STV0726

I don't use backup/sync either. I'll post a screenshot when I see it next. It cycles between that and the standard "Learn More"

Honestly if that's all it is it's small compared to some other paid products! Just as long they don't advertise any crapware or add the ASK Toolbar and any other Toolbar, Browsers or what not! And I don't mean the Re-branded LassPass Toolbar in the Complete version for Password Management! IMHO I don't even open the WSA GUI for weeks at a time once I'm set.

TH