AV - Buy it or not?

Spiggle

Hi All,

I posted this in the Security thread a few days agao and no replies so thought it best to post today.

My Avast (paid for) AV runs out in a couple of days time. Should I purchase another AV (Avast? AVG? Norton?) Or is it really safe to just download the free MS Security Essentials and just use that please?

I have downloaded MS SE onto the laptop until some advice is recieved but the desktop is still covered by the bought Avast until Tuesday (I think).

I have Malwarebytes on both the desktop and my new lappy and have run it on full scan on both over the last few days. I have also run ccleaner on both to make sure there is nothing on the machines and also to change the start up on the new lappy (thanks for advice here as always).

Look forward to your replies and thanks in advance.

All the best,
Spigs

-TangleFoot-

You could use the free version of Avast... or Security Essentials. Whichever you choose, make sure your old AV suite is removed before you install the new one.

AVG and Norton were still resource-hogging monstrosities last time I checked, though the latter has supposedly improved somewhat in the interim.

giraffe69

I see no reason to pay provided you are prepared to take some care so MSE or Avast Free together with Malwarebytes will be as good as spending £30 or more per year IMO.

Spiggle

Thanks TangleFoot,

I suppose I'm not sure about the MS Security Essentials. There seem to be conflicting opinions on it as to whether it works well enough or not. Some say it is now massiveley improved and (if kept up to date) does give good security levels. Others disagree quite vehemently. As someone who isn't a techie, I thought I'd try and garner opinions on its suitability/useability/security.

Obviously, I'd prefer not to pay for the AV as this is MSE after all!

Thanks for your time, thoughts and advice.

All the best,
Spigs

-TangleFoot-

In my experience MSE is adequate so long as you're not running Windows XP - it seems a little slow under that environment.

Spiggle

That's good TangleFoot thank you.

The desktop is on Vista and the lappy on Windows7.

Thank you too giraffe69 for your thoughts. May I take it that by 'take some care' you mean ensuring all definitions, etc are up to date and being careful about which sites are visited and what's downloaded?

All the best,
Spigs

russell_e

MSE is all we run at work. It's fine & IMO, better than pretty much everything else out there!

closed

avast free has the same virus detection as avast paid for, and is better than mse.

http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/

victor2

Don't be drawn into the assumption that "I've paid for it, so it must be better than a free one."

russell_e

Generally, the only difference between the free & paid for versions (avast free or subscription) is the free versions get the definitions days after the paid. There may also be options that are not available in the free.

Hopster_2

russell_e wrote: »

Generally, the only difference between the free & paid for versions (avast free or subscription) is the free versions get the definitions days after the paid. There may also be options that are not available in the free.

There will be less options than the paid version but am pretty sure the definitions will be updated the same for the free version.
With Microsoft SE it makes no difference as there is no premium edition, its free for everyone including businesses.
Avast updates are daily if not hourly so a doubt they are holding back on the free version.
It was Mcafee that started the trend in the early days of giving the program away then charging for updates but so many new players have joined the AV market so its much more competitive now..

@Spiggle
A would bang in Microsoft SE and for an extra layer you might want to put this free program in for peace of mind.
http://www.freewarefiles.com/PC-Tools-ThreatFire_program_19762.html

Its PC Tools ThreatFire and its handy for general Malware.
Its free and unlike Malwarebytes free version this one comes with realtime protection..