Anti virus software on new laptop

pacman_2

Got a new Sony Vaio. I need to put nati virus on there. it comes with MacFee and I get a prompt to register/update. Do I have to pay for this? I used to have AVG on old laptop and I've read that Avast is a good free one. Is it best for me to a switch to a free one?

Old_Wrinkly

pacman wrote: »

Is it best for me to switch to a free one?

Yes. .

5850matty

Free ones are OK but they are litmited in their features not in their protection - I just renewed my paid subscription on Kasperkey Internet Security 2011 with a company called "renewal buddy" and saved about 60% !! They have some cheap pricing for their switch offers but they are not as cheap as "free" !

There is a nice section on free security products at the bottom of Brian's Krebs Page

krebsonsecurity.com/2011/03/renewal-buddy-comparison-shopping-for-anti-virus-software/

gonzo127

yes move to a free one, just remember to download and use the removal tool for macafee to compleatly remove it before you install another AV

Avast is current flavour of the month - although awaiting latest independant tests for the latest version (6) to confirm its effectiveness, i however expect that it should improve due to the added features included with the latest release

dogmaryxx

Uninstall McAfee as detailed here

Install Avast free version.

macman

Kaspersky Internet Security is free if you have Barclays online banking.

milesoneill

+1 for Avast.
Free ones give you great protection, paid AV will give you extra options .... but if you get infected, do you really need to have a country by country breakdown of the infection rate throughout the world? No, you just want to get rid of it

mod81

there is also another free one called Avant (which i use) AVG and Avast are good but are also popular so virus writers and hackers are likely to try and circumvent the protection they offer where as Avant isn't as widely installed so Virus writers will prob not bother.

aliEnRIK

mod81 wrote: »

there is also another free one called Avant (which i use) AVG and Avast are good but are also popular so virus writers and hackers are likely to try and circumvent the protection they offer where as Avant isn't as widely installed so Virus writers will prob not bother.

But as avant doesnt have as good virus updates, its more likely to allow the machine to get infected

free4440273

dogmaryxx wrote: »

Uninstall McAfee as detailed here

Install Avast free version.

yep. as Mary advised/ dump it and use the brilliant Avast //

giraffe69

I get a prompt to register/update. Do I have to pay for this?

I think you get a period free and by registering you will allow updates and also nagging when the free period comes to an end. I'm sure the advice a. not to pay and b. to get the proper uninstaller is correct.

My current computer came with a free period for Mcafee and if double click the icon and select subscription in the top right hand corner I can see how long it will last for. In my opinion whilst not worth paying for it is not so bad you have to run to ditch it immediately.