antivirus programs

I've always been a big fan of AVG Free version, but lately I've been getting pop-ups asking me to upgrade to paid version. This happens a couple of times a day. Annoying, but hey, I'm using their free software, so I guess they're just trying to make some money.

1492 wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:

Just for the record, I don't use a free doctor, and I don't use a free anti-virus program. Norton Internet Security Suite serves be very well. I also carry good car and homeowners insurance and have used both on rare occasion.

Along the same lines, if the AV app offers a free and paid versions, why trust the paid version as the free app uses the same AV engine code base?

BTW, back in early 2000, the only time my system was breached with a virus was when I was running Norton System Suite. The malware erased my system hard drive. Not to mention that Norton was heavy on PC resources, and nearly impossible to cleanly uninstall.

Switched over to free anti-virus protection, AVG at that time, and have never had any of my systems taken down since.
Norton has made vast improvements since those days, and now rated among the top of paid AV apps.

why trust what they give away free. when they do have a paid version, they know the worth of the "free" version

Ed_Gee wrote:

Just for the record, I don't use a free doctor, and I don't use a free anti-virus program. Norton Internet Security Suite serves be very well. I also carry good car and homeowners insurance and have used both on rare occasion.

Along the same lines, if the AV app offers a free and paid versions, why trust the paid version as the free app uses the same AV engine code base?

BTW, back in early 2000, the only time my system was breached with a virus was when I was running Norton System Suite. The malware erased my system hard drive. Not to mention that Norton was heavy on PC resources, and nearly impossible to cleanly uninstall.

Switched over to free anti-virus protection, AVG at that time, and have never had any of my systems taken down since.

Norton has made vast improvements since those days, and now rated among the top of paid AV apps.

iI liked AVG Free. Used it only on my older XP laptop, which I recently sold. Right now using Norton Internet Suite on my Windows 10 computer. It's a paid program but has been very effective.

Malwarebytes is a very good program-----however it is NOT an antivirus program.

DICK

If the product is "free", then *you* are the product.

2oldman wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

I wouldn't skip using a security program any more than I'd skip my annual physical exam! :B

I wouldn't any more trust a free AV program than I would a free doctor.

Just for the record, I don't use a free doctor, and I don't use a free anti-virus program. Norton Internet Security Suite serves be very well. I also carry good car and homeowners insurance and have used both on rare occasion.

Good info for free av. ditto on post to keep this info.
cts

2oldman wrote:

1492 wrote:
You're system could be used as a remote zombie to push malware or spam to the rest of us.

maybe I'm the cause of all the downtime.

I think the outdated CF forum software has accomplished that on its own.

road-runner wrote:

The best windows anti-virus protection IMO is never running in administrator mode unless absolutely necessary, which is for some curious reason not the default configuration.

Yes, in fact, not too long ago, a report of WIN users indicated that over 90% of malware infections could have been prevented by not using an admin account when connected to the web.

However, AV software is just one layer of protection. Your first line of defense being your browser/email client for most users. Which is the reason to keep these updated, along with browser plugins and extensions.

Malwarebytes Free is one of my favorite utilities. However, its an after the fact resource. Meaning that if it discovers malware, you've already been breached. Better to prevent malware from establishing itself in your system in the first place, then having to deal with it after you're already infected?