True, they are owned by CheckPoint and thanks for that - I won't bother renewing my Zone Alarm subscription but will try what you suggested. However, at the Apple store today they also said that Microsoft had acquired Norton (presumably Symantec?) Does that mean they will be using that from now on in their AV programs/Firewall? I had nightmare problems with my pc when using Norton previously and am very wary of their AV now!!!

I am now in two minds yet again as I received an email from Apple saying that I could extend my original warranty for another 12 months for £39 (it is due for renewal on 9th Dec) but at the store they said that this warranty would be invalid if my computer was causing the problems that has made 4 ipod touches (so far) "fatally fail" - I haven't dropped any of them (from a climbing frame or anywhere!), haven't "misused" them or done anything other than trying to update them through itunes so I don't know what to do for the best!!! I have already spent more travellling to and from Exeter than it would have cost me to replace the ipod so it is starting to get a bit expensive now -in fact, thinking about it, I could have bought a Mac with what I have spent in travelling and parking so far!!! But I am not (really) angry, I would just like to get to the root of the problem, know what is causing the failures and then make an "informed" decision about what to do - any help would be much appreciated and (tongue in cheek and on a wing and a prayer!!) if I could convince my husband that an ipad would be better then I would be over the moon as long as the same did not happen!!!