Free Anti-virus programs vs. paid

[gadgetgary]

Just got a new 2nd laptop this weekend and was wondering about the so-called 'Free' anti-virus programs. I downloaded AVG anti-Virus 8.0.

What are the advantages/disadvantages to the free or paid(like Norton) anti-viurs programs? I paid $49.99(each) for one year of Norton Anti-virus on my main computer and on my laptop.

Thanks for your help!

 

[launderess]

Searh Consumer Reports

IIRC, they reviewed a few not to long back.

There is always the danger when using any "free" software that in additon to the program, it comes with other things. At best nothing but spam and adverts. At the worst any manner and sort of Spyware, viruses, bugs and so forth.

L.

 

[snoggle]

AVG is fine, I run it on all my personal PCs

I liked AVG 7.5 version better than 8. Competing antivirus products like Norton can be difficult to uninstall, and they like to keep billing your credit card for support fees.

At work we are forced to use Norton, and it is a memory and CPU hog. It sometimes requires special uninstall utilities to get it cleaned up as we upgrade versions. One of the first things I do when troubleshooting a PC there is kill the NAV process.

 

[vulcanchef]

as a linux user its nice not having to worry
about any of these issues

 

[mattl]

Kaspersky...

I like Kaspersky, and bought a 3 pack for $0 after rebate. Does a very good job. I use it on my main computer, but to be honest I haven't bothered to load it on my other 3 computers - they are all running AVG.

If you are buying anti-virus I heartily recommend Kaspersky, got a lot of people using it and they are very happy.

 

[mattl]

consumer reports

Sorry Laundress but I have to disagree with you on this one. I don't hold Consumer Reports in high regards on computer software. I'd spend some time on CNET or any of the other high profile computer sites long before I even cracked open CR. One of my favorite techie sites is Anandtech, lots of geeks there who know too much...

 

[phillygrl]

We have been using AVG on our computers, as well as installing it on many friends computers. It has protected us better than Norton, or McAffee. In fact, have had to uninstall Norton from friends computers several times, and then install AVG to rid these computers of viruses that Norton detected, but would not remove. I have been a satisfied user of AVG for years.

Lisa

 

[j2400]

I have heard of computer experts who choose free anti virus software. So I don't see a problem, as long as you get a good product. I can't say how good AVG is now, but a few years ago, at least one computer writer I read loved it.

Past this, it's good to use some Internet browser OTHER THAN Internet Explorer and some e-mail client OTHER THAN Microsoft's. Both IE and Outlook have been targets for virus writers.

Keep in mind that AV software isn't perfect. I, myself, don't trust Windows. (Yes, they claim better security these days. But they've made any number of other claims that didn't turn out in the real world.) I, myself, would never trust a Windows computer that's connected to the Internet for anything important.

 

[toggleswitch2]

~I'd spend some time on CNET or any of the other high profile computer sites

I downloaded AVG via CNET, if that means anything about AVG!

 

[sudsmaster]

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm probably not going to renew my McAfee subscription on my new notebook running Vista, and use AVG instead.

 

[jasonl]

AVG is a good free AV/Anti-spam. It doesn't hog resources and it pretty much keeps quiet until it detects something.

Nod32 is an excellent pay AV. It's fast, silent and will only pop up for viruses/spyware.