I feel your pain!
While my problems have been with Norton/Symantec, I've lost entire weekends due to their software. At the time one would cheerfully go postal in their Customer Service department. And corporate offices.
The last time I was given their firewall, screening stuff. Worked will for a year, took out the HD when I tried to remove it.
And, some folks swear by, not at, them.
Sorry you had the problems.
Arf