Paid anti virus worth it?

khuldun · 04-14-2006, 08:35 AM

Do you think paid anut virus softwares are worth the money for you? I have heard that some of these companies show SELF made viruses and fictatious malware in your PC scan results just to give you the impression that they are working.. What is your opinion on it?

**Lyte** · 04-14-2006, 08:51 AM

khuldun,

You're listen to too many rumors!

There is FREE anti-virus software available to you. Take some time browsing the FREE software section of PC101. You'll find a lot of FREE software there...

A Varity Of Freebies !!! (Very Long List)

Lyte

-MaDcOw- · 04-17-2006, 12:47 AM

Hey lyte, he's right about there being some paid anti-virus companies showing false positives in there trial versions and not letting you fix it with out buying the full program.

**Lyte** · 04-17-2006, 07:57 AM

Hey MadCow,

Oh, I know of at least one. It's Spy something... I think... but I don't believe it's Spybot S & D. I'll have to find the name. He'd made a couple other posts talking about "rumors". It was to that I was responding.

When I find the name of the software I'll edit my post. If you know it or find it first... post it won't you?

Thanks!

Lyte

EDIT: Okay, the one I'm thinking of is Spyware Killer. Below is a HUGE list of potentially bogus spyware software... kinda scary really!

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

-MaDcOw- · 04-17-2006, 08:43 PM

Thats exactly the link I was searching for when I posted last, but couldn't find it in my bookmarks

Thanks, bookmarked!

**Lyte** · 04-17-2006, 08:49 PM

Hey MD

Happy to help!

If you're favy section looks anything like mine... it's a wonder I find anything when I need it! :eek: I'm constently bookmarking stuff to revisit later for a read or research.

Lyte

-MaDcOw- · 04-17-2006, 09:07 PM

Yep that link was probably already in there and I just couldn't find it so now its there twice.

Twice as likely to see it next time :p

Rosetta · 06-07-2006, 08:04 AM

It really depends on the program. Some paid anti-virus software is worth the price, others are not. Most people I know use Norton Antivirus, but I've found that Norton only catches some of the viruses I get and has actually *caused* problems on my system. Based on that experience, I wouldn't use Norton for free, much less pay for it.

I would look around at reviews before commiting to anything. Preferably unbiased, independant sources.

nogard · 06-07-2006, 08:35 AM

Yes it is. There's a term that states you get what you pay for. Well, is applies to Anti-Viruses also. Some paid Anti-virus program have more to it when you pay for it. I use Kaspersky Anti-Virus and it catches a lot of stuff (so others claim). You get better support when you buy an Anti-Virus. If there's a problem with your Anti-virus and you have no support, where you going get help?

**Lyte** · 06-07-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogard

Yes it is. There's a term that states you get what you pay for.

Yup, I like this one too... caveat emptor - "let the buyer beware."

AV is one of those things where I kinda which I had fewer (but quality) choices! It's like standing in front of allergy/cold medicines at your local drug store. You have to figure out which one works, which one will work for me, which one I can afford and which one won't have nasty side effects! :eek:

Lyte

james · 06-07-2006, 11:18 PM

I have used AVG, McAfee and Norton and I have to say I have not noticed a big difference.
None of them have ever caught a virus on my system, so either I have no viruses or none of them work!

Im guess its because I just have no viruses

nogard · 06-08-2006, 08:24 AM

I've use Avast, AVG, Norton, McAfee, NOD32 and Kaspersky, I settle with Kaspersky becuase it's got a high trojan dection rate. You might not have a virus bot most of the Anti-Anti virus scanners don't detect trojans that well. But you never know, you could have some kind of Malware that the Anti-Virus isn't catching.

OulZac · 06-08-2006, 12:56 PM

Well, no one has said Panda!

I use them, they offer free and paid, and I have never used a better program for anti-virus.
There free and paid versions are both IMHO better than anything else I have used, not just in terms of finding, but preventing, and thats a little more important, if the program can help catch instantly and prevent a problem then I am sold.

Ronin · 06-08-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosetta

It really depends on the program. Some paid anti-virus software is worth the price, others are not. Most people I know use Norton Antivirus, but I've found that Norton only catches some of the viruses I get and has actually *caused* problems on my system. Based on that experience, I wouldn't use Norton for free, much less pay for it.

I would look around at reviews before commiting to anything. Preferably unbiased, independant sources.

I have had the same problem with Norton! And i know alot of people do. Im wondering if Norton purposely cause problems just so their software has something to fix... hmm

Back on topic though, I cant see how free AV software can do the job of paid for software because no one is being paid to keep it up to date

dojo · 07-09-2006, 07:22 AM

I have used Norton Antivirus for some time only to realise that I wasn't able to heal some of my affected programs. I got mad and searched for something else. I heard from other webmasters that they use AVG FREE and I tried it. Am using it for 2 years almost with no problems. It's small and doesn't slow my machine like others. It's got daily updates so I know I am protected. Not to mention it's free.

fmauniverse · 07-24-2006, 06:09 AM

Hi. If you have the money, then it is worth for you if you need a professional antivirus software. But there are many free ones, also good ones, so you need to think a bit before buying one.

Regards.