Why no update notifications?

I've been a NOD32 user since the 1.x days. One thing that's bugging me is that every single major version update has happened without ESET notifying me AT ALL. I went from 1 to 2 to 3 and now to 4 by having to trip over the new release on their website. No e-mails to my account. Update in the current product tells you NOTHING about the new client version.

Why am I not being made aware of these major upgrades?

 

The best way to find out about program updates is by visiting this forum.
It is also possible for a moderator to set up a thread regarding program updates and have forum members subscribe to the thread if they desire. An email could then be sent when that thread is updated. A moderator could explain the subscription process better.

 

It was the same when I was using BitDefender. I would usually find out about a new version when I would contact tech support about something, and they would tell me about it and ask me to install it.

As it turns out, their upgrades weren't always an improvement. In fact, my dissatisfaction with the changes inplemented in BitDefender's latest version (along with some support difficulties) is the main reason I started researching other AV's and ended up with NOD32. So far it looks like I made a great choice, with the BIG exception of the irreversible, no-advance-warning-given advertising added to scanned emails per the default settings.

 

I like to add that we even had not received a notification from the program itself to upgrade from 2.7 to 3 or to 4 as of yet! So I would not worry just keep checking here or keep going to there website!

Cheers,

TH

 

Actually I received a v3 upgrade notice vie email a long time ago.

 

It's not "I" it's we. Think of the way you gasp when you run across a post in Wilder's that spills the beans that a new version of NOD32 is out, and you are like a kid on Christmas morning. Checking the ESET site you shout, "it's true"! and do your download. Now isn't that more exciting than getting an e-mail with a url to click to the download window?

 

Spamming email notifications is history, RSS is the future.

 

Why isn't alerting me by the very tool I ALREADY have installed being looked at as the right choice? Are you kidding me? Nearly every other utility I use let's me know there's a new major version and offers to upgrade me without my having to go jump through other hoops to find out. I get RSS feeds but, come on, MOST people have NO idea what an RSS feed is or how to access them.

This is the future? Yes, let me have to sources for something that only needs one..... There's a whole section in the program that refers to auto-updating and yet it doesn't work between major versions. Go figure.

Next up NOD32 can avoid all mention of anything it finds. It'll send you an RSS feed or require you to come here to find out you have a virus. Won't that be novel?

 

If there was a program component update (PCU) released, a pop-up window would appear telling you that a newer update is available and asking you if you want to download it. Since NO PCU has been released for v3 nor v4 yet, a notification about available PCU hasn't appeared yet.

 

I don't ever recall seeing these at any time in the past. Perhaps I have for minor updates but I know I've never seen one to move from one major point release to another and in some cases we're talking about going a year or more with the older version. My mother was still on version 2 until last week. That's just not right.

 

As soon as a PCU is made available for download, you'll get a prompt window like it was with v2:

 

Unless you have it configured to automatically install component updates.

 

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I agree-> I do not understand why Eset cannot send out a notification email to all of us loyal subscribers ( I have a 2yr. subscription for 4 computers ) - OR - get notification when we up date our definitions.

I am self employed & I not have the time to check every week ( or every day ) to make sure that I have the correct & most current program.

This kind of thing was the final straw that drove me away from Norton - It seems like a very arrogant & condescending attitude towards us (up to now) loyal subscribers.

Due to me there are 4 family members that are now subscribers to NOD 32 - so not only do I have to take time to check for myself now I have to take the time to notify my family members to make sure they are protected.

This seems especially bad timing with this CONFLICKER virus ready to break.

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From the High Desert of New Mexico . . .

Terry -> sturgisrun

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That is EXACTLY what brought me here (Conficker). I find 6 different family members that I got to use the product and they're all WAY behind on major versions. Why? Because ESET can't do what 95% of other solid software products manage with ease--Self-updating.

My mother was still on Version 2. So where was this "PCU" message that was mentioned that I've NEVER seen? We pay ESET to gain a sense of security. This leaves a gaping whole in that both literally and mentally.

If this doesn't get addressed I will have no recourse but to look at other competing solutions that do remove this unnecessary concern from the equation. I like this product a lot but this is just silly to make excuse after excuse for something that should be so obvious.

 

Since newer versions included only fixes to certain issues, there was absolutely no need to risk serious problems by pushing a program update to, let's say, 95% of users who have never encountered any issues. As it's been said numerous times, a program component update is being prepared for v3 users who will be updated automatically to the latest v3 version. This won't happen before we are sure it won't cause more problems to current users. I don't think you'd wish to deal with new unnecessary issues.

I don't understand. Both v3 and v4 versions are able to detect and block Conficker fine. If a module update is required to improve detection of certain kind of malware, this is done through a module update together with virus signatures. Hence I don't understand mentioning Conficker in connection with program versions.

 

V3 and v4 protects you against Conficker variants proactively. If the Conficker's code changes to such an extent that an update of the program modules is necessary, a module update is issued AUTOMATICALLY together with a virus signature update. This has nothing to do with minor program updates which are supposed to fix minor issues. Most of major issues can be addressed in an automatic module update.

Pushing a newer update to millions of people at once without the update being out and tested for a long time would be nothing but jeopardizing the safety of our users' computers and exposing them at high risk.

 

Marcos, it's clear you're not understanding this. The point is the perception. People FEEL more secure by having the latest version of a program. The program TELLING us that there's a newer major release (and optionally installing it at our direction) cannot be a bad thing here.

Telling us there's a release is not forcing it on 95% of users. It's letting them work from a position of knowledge instead of ignorance. Furthermore, from a business perspective it makes sense. My father-in-law (who was also still at version 2) was ready to drop you. Why? Because in the years he's been using you (and paying you), you don't FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE, support your product. Years have gone by and the same product still sits there. How can it, IN HIS PERSPECTIVE, still be doing the best possible job? Surely in the course of all this time a competing product must have come along to be better. How would he know unless he's a techie fanatic (and he's not) that the answer is that his own product has had TWO major releases in this time? All he knows is that you keep asking for more money and that's it.

Letting customers know that there's a major upgrade benefits everyone. It gives people peace of mind that you're on the job and it maximizes your revenue.

If you're saying that you put out major versions and don't have the faith in them to be widely used--well, that's another situation entirely.

 

=================
Agrajag:

AMEN - Brother !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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From the High Desert of New Mexico . . .

Terry -> sturgisrun

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I think part of the problem here is of ESET's own making. They have a product that, to be frank, wasn't initially designed for the masses. It was originally far too complicated for anyone but the most technical among us to fool around with it but the fact was that it was worth the trouble.

We then learned that it was the answer to a lot our OUR (our being technical connectors who help out lots of others) problems with those other people whose systems were bloated with Norton or McAfee.

ESET has been mainly dealing with nerds who think RSS is just great and who live on forums like this sucking up every ounce of info there is to be had. Meanwhile most everyone else has other things to do and can't be bothered to find out what RSS is let alone how it works or what they need.

They clearly have not made the leap from dealing with their old customer base to dealing with the quiet majority out there who are not going to be represented on forums like this. It's a classic problem that many companies fall into that don't know better. Can't see the forest for all the trees.

 

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I think you are right- I had never thought of that aspect.

I first tried NOD32 on one machine for a year while I ran several other AV on my other computers- I liked it well enough to put it on all machines & renew for 2 yrs.

It seems to work good- though I have never caught anything- I do almost all my surfing via Sandboxie which may be the reason it has not caught anything.

Even though it has not caught any infections I want to MAKE SURE I am doing EVERYTHING I can to increase my security.

I got my first computer in 1995 (Windows3.1 OS) and have gone with Windows Machines ever since. My next computer purchase is going to be an iMac, with security being one of the top reasons I am going to try Mac.

But I still don't understand why Eset does not make it eaiser to find out there is a new version available.

I do believe you last post has it nailed . . .Take care---


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From the High Desert of New Mexico . . .

Terry -> sturgisrun

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Hello All,

For those who read this thread and are looking to protect themselves against the Conficker threat or remove it please see our Knowledgebase article here: http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN2209

For further information, you can read our various blogs here: http://www.eset.com/threat-center/blog/

Thank you,
Richard