When I started my computer today, NIS reported I had one day left of my subscription. OK, no surprise. I ran Live Update normally and everything was fine. I realized that I would have to enter a new product code tomorrow and start a new subscription (I already bought a new boxed copy of NIS2012 at a store, so no problem).
Several hours later, however, a NIS message popped up that stated I have 0 days left (I guess the last day is only two hours long). OK fine, I already updated so I was not worried about it. Subsequently, I happen to check the NIS status icon and discovered that NIS had disabled both the firewall and the antivirus protection and would not let me turn them back on.
I understand that updates should no longer be available, but disabling the protection is another matter. If Symantec designs the software to do this, then its behavior is really tacky and demonstrates little regard for its customers.