Anti virus....Free for a reason

mattyg

mattyg

mattyg

Soldato
Joined
17 Jun 2007
Posts
9,475
AAAARRRRGGGHHHH


Just bought my son a laptop from the black/purple shirted baffoons. To be told it doesn't come with any anti virus software and they have a deal on mcafee at the moment.

I said its ok I've never had any issues using the free ones like MSE or AVG or AVAST to be told well they are free for a reason..
 
Don't belive them. They just want your £££.

MSE is adequate. It's rare to get hit by a virus. If it does make it past your protection, then it's reformat time any way.
 
They do it so you can buy an antivirus package from them, meaning more profit.

Nothing wrong with free ones, MSE and Avast are my top choices even over the paid ones.
 
They are right to some degree, but people who get viruses will still get viruses(i can't remember the last time i had a virus, it's been that long), and then it's a question of which program will protect you adequately.

If you can't trust yourself or another user to use the web safely, get something good, Kaspersky or Eset (Nod32) would be my top two recommendations. I just don't use free AV personally, so i can't speak to those, specifically because i don't like any apps dragging down my system and the aforementioned AV are two the most efficient on the market(ie. i game and use my system as if it's not even there, except when i need it of course).

Not sure i would trust my system's security after being invaded by a virus or viruses, i'd likely just do a clean install(it's dead easy to streamline), it's more of a brute force solution, but i feel better settled in knowing *for sure* it's clean. This aside from when Nod32 saves my butt, that app nails everything i've purposely chucked at it and it's not quite as intrusive(and in your face) as other AVs, also has a silent mode(which i always use) to make it even less bothersome(ie. you won't see anything until there's an immediate threat).
 
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bought a tablet off them, refused the av on the basis what i was using it for it'll never get hacked in a way where i'd care about any lost data.

got told 'no these things really need av these days', i pointed out that they were talking a big game about my security on a tablet thats going to be used for viewing uni pdf's and yt videos whilst storing my credit card details on an xp system.

the hypocrisy eh?
 
Bought an iPad Mini of them last year for my mum and they asked do you need McAfee to go with that otherwise it will be vulnerable to viruses :D

Not had a virus/spyware in many years, must be over 10yrs. Been using Avast along with SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search & Destroy. I do a monthly scan with Malware Bytes Anti Malware, system always remains clean.
 
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More effort on education and safe procedures (like actually updating and scanning regularly) will prevent infections more than any malware package branding hype (x is best over y).

However as they are reactive by design they will never prevent all malware.
 
AVG is awful these days, it used to be good but now it's bloatware!

I used to used ESET Nod32, that was fantastic. But now I just use MSE, I've not had a virus since running XP many many years ago.
 
gothic_hobbit said:
AVG is good enough.
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If you look at somewhatdamageds link AVG is pretty shocking if you are putting all your trust into security.. just saying. What's worse is the paid version is no better which makes me believe they are not as good as people are making them out to be.

If you shop about thoroughly there are some big hitters like bitdefender and noprton that can be had for around a tenner which is worth the hit over something like AVG or avast.
 
You'll often find you get provided with an AV subscription by your ISP. BT is McAfee, which has been steadily improving since their acquisition by Intel.

I'd want decent antivirus on any computer on the home network that wasn't used solely by myself. Some people do the darnedest things on their computers. Like Th0nt says, education is a key part of the solution. Minimise your risk by not frequenting sites likely to perform a 'drive-by' and don't open up random files out of curiosity or for 'free' stuff.
 
Registry cleaners and 'speed-up' software seem to be commonly installed by people. Downloading and installing rubbish is the biggest culprit not viruses. I wont complain though, seems to be bread and butter these days on top of the faulty component replacements.
 
Th0nt said:
Registry cleaners and 'speed-up' software seem to be commonly installed by people. Downloading and installing rubbish is the biggest culprit not viruses. I wont complain though, seems to be bread and butter these days on top of the faulty component replacements.
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Yup I get this no end when fixing friend's laptops etc.
 
Th0nt said:
Registry cleaners and 'speed-up' software seem to be commonly installed by people. Downloading and installing rubbish is the biggest culprit not viruses. I wont complain though, seems to be bread and butter these days on top of the faulty component replacements.
Click to expand...

True, however its not all rubbish and its a very common and deceptive industry practice to bundle bloatware carp with legitimate products and services. iirc even the java installer defaults to install the ask toolbar, with a deceptive opt-out option. I can catch these because i know what to look for, but the average user hasn't got a chance.
 
Barclays online banking customers get Kaspersky Internet Security for free - 3 pc licence i think. Check out the website. As mentioned, ISPs may provide similar offers and other so may other banks.
 
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