Computer Geeks, I need your opinion.

My virus protection is about to expire. Today Best Buy has "Titanium Maximum Security" on sale for $19.99. Regularly $89.99. We have used Norton for years.

Any thoughts on why I should or shouldn't switch? I'm not that familiar with this service. Pros? Cons?

Thanks.

why not use a free Antivirus?

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) have done me just fine so far.

Free antiviral is what I've always used. MSE, Malware-Bytes, Avast, those are all good options.

Specifically about TMS, don't go for it. I'm looking it up now, and there are a lot of complaints, and very little positive reviews. On the Trend Micro forums, there's a lot complaining about the av taking over firewall control and blocking EVERYTHING, as well as how it exerts way too much control over windows. I just read an account of a guy who had the entire system shut down and restart because TSE had an issue with his DVD Burner.

I just use the free crap and malwarebytes.

Necer ket me down

Hmm... I always thought you get what you pay for. So by that thought, free = garbage.


I may be wring. If so, how do I get free protection?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download

Still have norton on mine but only because my dad had an extra copy, will be switching to this after.

I'm a computer tech idiot. There has to be a reason why people pay for protection over the free protection.

I am not 100% sure but i havn't heard anything bad about it from people in the know.

-Waits for Tom-

Almost all paid virus protection is 100% garbage. You are guaranteed to be better off with what these guys have suggested.

Not trying to be difficult, but why are they garbage?

They use an incredible amount of resources that end up "bogging down" your computer way more than the viruses they're protecting you from would. They're generally pretty awful at catching viruses anyways.

I use Avast for free.

Really if you have the Web of Trust toolbar you don't need too much. It lets you know what sites and links are shady before you go to them.

Objectively, paid antivirus programs always try to work off of the most successful business model. So they tend to copy eachother often. Wheras free ones often have more incentive to innovate.

The reason people pay for protection is because they either buy into the stigma that free stuff is awful, or they don't know about freeware.

Makes sense.

its a better idea to use a free AV program, then spend the money saved on a recovery disk for your OS, or a large enternal hard-drive to back your entire PC up on.

that way, if a virus completely decimates your system, you can wipe your computer and reinstall your OS, or restore from the backup

Personally I use Malwarebytes. The free protection you get with it is very good, but if you want to schedule automatic scans and stuff like that you can buy the full version for a one time fee.

Use AVG free for background protection and scanning for viruses.
Use Spybot Search and Destroy to scan every week or so for spyware.

Microsoft security essentials failed its last certification test iirc.

Just don't go to any free download/porn sites you're not familiar with and you'll be just fine.

Are any porn sites safe?


*sigh* Still though... gotta have it.

Well just run spybot, get rid of any spyware you've got, go to a porn site, hang around, and after that run spybot again. If you end up with spyware again, you'll know it's not a good site.

It is a funny situation now in regards to free and payed antivirus. Antiviruses like microsoft security essentials and avast are actually pretty good now, at least compared to free programs offered in the early 2000's. There is one caveat with MSE though, it is not the best antivirus software out there by a long shot for actually detecting viruses. Avast and Kaspersky are generally considered the best. Honestly though, if you are smart about what you do on the internet, you do not need anything more than MSE. Also Malwarebytes is not an antivirus, but you should have it along with an antivirus. It is a very good anti-malware tool.

Edit: Seems my info is a bit outdated for MSE. Don't even bother with it now, just get the free versions of either avg or avast.

ZOMBEE wrote:
I may be wring. If so, how do I get free protection?

Pull out?

I use Comodo firewall/antivirus and spybot and I've never had a problem. Spybot has saved a few friends computers when they were being stupid and scammed online or on pron sites

hear avast is good.


I'd never pay for an anti virus man,you'd be better off with any of the free options listed here.

web of trust (WOB) is an AWESOME add on/extension everybody should have for the browser,as well as ad-block lol