Worth it to purchase anti-virus software?

[ladylaura]

Curious as to whether I should buy the anti-virus protection that came with my laptop when I first bought it. It was a 60 day free trial, and I'm assuming it worked well since my laptop hasn't been ill, however is it worth it to buy the software? they can get pretty pricey! Is there a site where I can download it for free? Any software better than others?

[kendall.a]

This is a freeware forum. We only discuss freeware here. I'm sorry but we cannot assist you with paid AV software.

We'd suggest that you check out the free alternatives found at:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...s-software.htm

[Av_Crazy]

No need to buy any av when free ones are so powerful

[ladylaura]

Originally Posted by kendall

This is a freeware forum. We only discuss freeware here. I'm sorry but we cannot assist you with paid AV software.

We'd suggest that you check out the free alternatives found at:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...s-software.htm

I realize that this forum is for freeware, which is why I was asking a comparison of some AV software. I was also asking why people would chose to pay for something they could download for free, is there any differences among paid av and freeware? thanks!

[Concerned User]

Originally Posted by ladylaura

I realize that this forum is for freeware, which is why I was asking a comparison of some AV software. I was also asking why people would chose to pay for something they could download for free, is there any differences among paid av and freeware? thanks!

In a freeware forum like this, we do not discuss about commercial suites.

However, the free ones are pretty impressive. Like Av_Crazy said the free ones are quite powerful and Windows 7 has better inbuilt security features like UAC etc.

If you're running something like Microsoft Security essentials or Avira and practice good online habits like Safe browsing and running a non-admin account, you should be okay.

Check Gizmo's recommendations if you've not already done so:


http://www.techsupportalert.com/best...s-software.htm

[Av_Crazy]

Originally Posted by ladylaura

I realize that this forum is for freeware, which is why I was asking a comparison of some AV software. I was also asking why people would chose to pay for something they could download for free, is there any differences among paid av and freeware? thanks!

u can checkout av comparatives test results for comparison between free and paid av's

[J_L]

Paid AVs tend to have more features and better support. That's not always the case though, for example Avast Free has more features than many Paid AVs.

What is your current protection anyhow?

[MidnightCowboy]

Quite naturally the paid vendors are in business to make money. Many of these, but not all, use a dubious combination of slick marketing, unverifiable statements and scare tactics to imply that purchasing product "A" will "protect" you. This is not the case, never has been and never will be, period. The majority of modern day threats can be avoided by using a DNS filter, web rating tool and other browser addons before even needing your AV to start "protecting" from anything

As J_L states, offering specific advice is difficult unless we know what you have already and at leat some information about the ability levels of those who will be using the computer. In general terms though, everything you need to know is reviewed somewhere on this site.

This is my own attempt.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/cont...under-hour.htm

Other editors will have their own opinions and all will be just as useful.

[ladylaura]

Right now I'm using ******* AV, and my family usually likes to download movies and torrents that have caused some virus problems for us in the past

[kendall.a]

As we have mentioned before, please do not use commercial names in this forum.

I believe that we have given you plenty of links and references to check out. Have you had a chance to do so yet?