You Don't Have to Pay for Computer Security!
This week, I made a move that I am very proud of. I finally uninstalled McAfee Security Center. I know that some of you would call me an idiot, but McAfee's software was not protecting my computer at all. I never updated it, as I was always busy when those annoying popup dialogs would appear. Therefore, it wasn't helping.
But my computer isn't completely ope n to all hackers and viruses. I now run AVG Free Edition and COMODO Firewall Pro. Sure, they might not be as good as some of the software that you have to pay for, but they work for me. I also don't worry as much about protection as an average user might, because I believe that I am more tech-savvy than most computer users (hopefully). For example, I don't believe those Nigerian 419 scam letters I get in my inbox.
So here's the deal. I like AVG Free Edition better than McAfee, but why? AVG automatically updates its database everyday, and even though it might slow my computer while doing it, it runs before I start any major task I have to do. One thing I am not satisfied with, though, is the fact that AVG does not always remind you to scan for viruses. But if you are conscious as to what could happen to your computer if a virus does infect it, then you should be able to handle scanning by yourself.
COMODO Firewall Pro might not be as good as McAfee's Firewall, but it works just as well if you aren't too picky. For example, when a new program attempts to perform a certain action that COMODO is hesitant about, a big box will pop up on the screen. This box is considerably larger than the ones McAfee used. Finding the list of programs and their security rules also isn't the easiest task in the world with COMODO. However, I do like how it also can scan for malware, and will as soon as you install it.
So there's what I will be using to protect my computer for a while. I did not cover spyware, as I am still looking for a good program to use. I currently use Spybot, but I have not read the greatest reviews about it.
I feel like ending with one of those corny writer phrases. Hmmm...let's see....
Until next time, keep on computin'...?
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I use spyware terminator...it works great for me!
AVG Free has a good rep. Certainly any time I looked through Tech Republic, for instance, concensus seemed to be that, indeed,AVG Free was better than McAfee.
IT here are Linux-happy and not pleased with all the work needed to keep Windows alive and current. That said, http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html is their recommendation for the home user who won't pay for a security solution.
I agree with joshc, spyware terminator works very well.
Why not switch to Ubuntu Linux, and forget about all those dreary, boring, resource-hogging anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-whatever applications?
Like a glass of cool mineral water on a hot day.... :-)
Greetz, Pjotr.
Totally agrre that nowadays, you don't have to pay for "all in one" security suite to get malware protection for your computer.
An antivirus that works great for me is AVAST!. Detects everything. It's interface is a little bit confusing at first, but i liked how uncluttered and different it was from the usual website-look of others. I liked the scan during boot feature, which scans your computer before windows boots completely, so that viruses can't hide/lock their files and processes. Much better than AVG (both in detection, ease of use and removal).
Also, it is MUCH better that other, paid software i used before. McAffe (looks like a collection of patches, and can't remove anything), Fsecure (doesn't setect anything), Norman (see previous), Prevx (lol), DrWeb (cheap copy of notron). Avast performs a WHOLE LOT BETTER that these 5 pieces of junk i mentioned, so make your self a favor and do NOT pay for these. I have used these 5 and got dissapointed.
Totally agrre that nowadays, you don't have to pay for "all in one" security suite to get malware protection for your computer.
An antivirus that works great for me is AVAST!. Detects everything. It's interface is a little bit confusing at first, but i liked how uncluttered and different it was from the usual website-look of others. I liked the scan during boot feature, which scans your computer before windows boots completely, so that viruses can't hide/lock their files and processes. Much better than AVG (both in detection, ease of use and removal).
Also, it is MUCH better that other, paid software i used before. McAffe (looks like a collection of patches, and can't remove anything), Fsecure (doesn't setect anything), Norman (see previous), Prevx (lol), DrWeb (cheap copy of notron). Avast performs a WHOLE LOT BETTER that these 5 pieces of junk i mentioned, so make your self a favor and do NOT pay for these. I have used these 5 and got dissapointed.
Totally agrre that nowadays, you don't have to pay for "all in one" security suite to get malware protection for your computer.
An antivirus that works great for me is AVAST!. Detects everything. It's interface is a little bit confusing at first, but i liked how uncluttered and different it was from the usual website-look of others. I liked the scan during boot feature, which scans your computer before windows boots completely, so that viruses can't hide/lock their files and processes. Much better than AVG (both in detection, ease of use and removal).
Also, it is MUCH better that other, paid software i used before. McAffe (looks like a collection of patches, and can't remove anything), Fsecure (doesn't setect anything), Norman (see previous), Prevx (lol), DrWeb (cheap copy of notron). Avast performs a WHOLE LOT BETTER that these 5 pieces of junk i mentioned, so make your self a favor and do NOT pay for these. I have used these 5 and got dissapointed.
Totally agrre that nowadays, you don't have to pay for "all in one" security suite to get malware protection for your computer.
An antivirus that works great for me is AVAST!. Detects everything. It's interface is a little bit confusing at first, but i liked how uncluttered and different it was from the usual website-look of others. I liked the scan during boot feature, which scans your computer before windows boots completely, so that viruses can't hide/lock their files and processes. Much better than AVG (both in detection, ease of use and removal).
Also, it is MUCH better that other, paid software i used before. McAffe (looks like a collection of patches, and can't remove anything), Fsecure (doesn't setect anything), Norman (see previous), Prevx (lol), DrWeb (cheap copy of notron). Avast performs a WHOLE LOT BETTER that these 5 pieces of junk i mentioned, so make your self a favor and do NOT pay for these. I have used these 5 and got dissapointed.
@Pjotr Becase some people don't like Ubuntu!! It can't play games (don't say anything about wine, it's useless in games) and it has incompatibilities with some of the compoments of some laptops and desktops (internal modem of laptops, anyone?). It can't work properly with certain usb devices (external tv cards anyone?) and it has a lousy power managment (my laptop battery last only 2 hours in ubuntu, 3,15 in xp).
So, stop bragging (and spamming) irrelevant posts about your favorite distro, because you are off topic. OFF TOPIC!
If you have a freeware security suite to recommend, I am all ears, but if you want to brag about linux, I am not.
PS: Sory for the four posts above, but PCW had a hard time cooperating with my firefox (dont know why)
PPS: I have nothing against linux, but i have against users who try to promote it to every windows user they find, negleting what his needs may be (gaming, laptop battery, video capture with external tv cards) and if linux can cover them
Avast! Works well for me at home, and will be purchasing their server package soon for the 2K3 server I maintain. I find it to be fast and light on the resources (YMMV).
I still use ZoneAlarm for my firewall. I've even gone far enough to pay for a license of the Pro version because the product just works. You can't go wrong with trying free version, though.
I gave the McAfee suite a shot because it comes as a "freebie" with Comcast ISP. The McAfee suite slowed down all net traffic by at least 50 percent. It brought my kids' computer (1.6 GHz P4; 2GB) to a crawl.
Whatever you choose really depends on what works good for you and your particular hardware. With all the free packages out there, you're bound to find something that works for you. If you find something free that works for you, consider sending in a donation or purchasing a license if you have the means.
I agree that it really not necessary to pay for security software. I use the combination of a Linksys router/firewall, Avast Anti-virus and Spyware Terminator. Of course I had to pay for the Linksys router/firewall but I needed it anyway for my home network. I haven't had any problems over the past few years using free software. I'm not sure why people would pay for this software when there are excellent free alternatives.