It seems that computers were invented so I would have to look at my own orneriness.

You know how often I have accused my computer of being obstinate. I know, I know, what I’ve really been looking at and finding fault with is a mere reflection of myself.

That being said, my latest computer battle is with the free AVG virus protection program. Years ago someone put it on my computer for me. It works well. It main advantage, as I was told, is that it automatically updates and scans for viruses every day. You don’t have to remember to tell it to.

Although AVG is free, they offer upgrades and naturally, they want us to buy them. Nothing wrong with that.

But the way they go about it is fiendish.  They have a plot to try to MAKE you do it. And that’s why I refuse to get an upgrade, and never will, because as soon as I feel forced, I won’t.

Here’s the story:

The AVG automatic scan goes on at 8 a.m. Of course, I’m always working on Heavenlettersâ„¢ at the computer at 8 a.m. You’d think a Godwriter could have a little peace. When the AVG scanning goes on, it works well but nothing else does. The scanning takes about 45 minutes. During this scanning, for example, my computer takes almost 45 minutes to open an email. All right, 3 minutes. I try to be ready for AVG to go on at 8 a.m. so I can outwit it, but usually I don’t realize AVG has gone on until I’m already wondering why everything is so slow.

Oh, I need to explain, with the free version, you can’t change the time your computer scans. If you buy an upgrade, you can choose midnight or 3:01 a.m. if you want, but not with the free one. With the free one, you’re stuck at 8 a.m. I feel like AVG is telling me: “If you don’t want to be annoyed, if you want peace and a fast-acting computer, well, then, you’d better upgrade.â€?

Do you see why I feel they are trying to force me to buy an upgrade? I won’t have it.

Am I the only one who balks at being bullied? I believe another name for it is extortion.

Long ago I discovered a way to pause scanning, and after my initial cursing, I do pause it. However, I am convinced that while AVG is in the background, it is still messing everything up.

At this point, I press Stop Scanning. After AVG asks me ten times if I am sure I want to stop scanning and be unprotected, it will go away to come back another day when I ask it to.

For years this scenario has been going on.

Eureka! Finally, yesterday I found a way to turn off AVG so its scheduler won’t bother me anymore. AVG isn’t turned off permanently. It’s just that now I can tell it to go on when I want it to. And that’s what I’m doing from now on. Ah, a little peace.

AVG, no computer program is going to tangle with Gloria.