It's not just the program itself you're purchasing, after all. Every program's database must be updated on a regular basis to handle the latest virus threats. Although some companies offer free rebates to their customers, most charge a subscription fee. And when you purchase the software, you often pay up front to subscribe to updates for a specified period of time. Throw program upgrades into the mix, and you've got a long string of fees and charges that add up over time. It pays to look beyond the price tag when selecting an antivirus program, especially if you're working under tight budget constraints and need to cut costs wherever you can. Comparing the charges for some of the major antivirus programs on the market reveals some interesting facts about the actual cost of the software. The up-front costs of antivirus programs can vary considerably, and as member Kmwade noted, you have to do a little calculating to determine what they really cost over time. "Check the fine print first," Kmwade warned. "You may be surprised at the cost of the "low cost' programs." So what are you really paying? Trend Micro's PC-cillin costs $39.95 for home users. This entitles you to free updates for one year. At the end of that one-year period, you're forced to upgrade. The current upgrade price is $19.95. This means essentially that you pay an introductory price of $39.95 and then a yearly renewal fee of $19.95. After two years, you've paid nearly $60 for the product. Of course, you're getting a little more than virus update renewal for that $19.95. You're also getting an upgraded product that may offer improved functionality, although you can't know that for sure until after you've purchased it. Panda Software's Antivirus Platinum is $29.95 for home users if you choose to download it vs. purchasing the boxed version, which, oddly, costs nearly double at $59. This fee entitles you to free updates and technical support for one year. I couldn't find any information about discounted upgrades. Symantec charges a hefty $49.95 for Norton AntiVirus 2002, and the purchase price includes one year of free updates. You can either download it or receive the product by mail. Unlike Panda, Norton does not charge a different price based on delivery method. If you already own Norton AntiVirus, you can upgrade to 2002 for $29.95. The fee for subscribing to yearly updates is $9.95.