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Are the Free anit-virus downloads really as good as the paid-for ones?

AVG, Avast etc

Norton 360 has other things to help with the running of the PC, optimising the speed etc. So are these extra things that the free downloads don’t come with? Also, do the free downloads have the very latest updates, like the paid-for versions?

There are a few components that protect your home desktop from viruses .
1. Antivirus – for basic virus protection .
2. Antispyware & Antimalware applications – for the additional security .
3. Firewalls – to block any attempts to get to your computer .
4. Browsers – Always better to get the better one .
5. Optimize your PC for Free .

************* Antivirus Software ***************
Avast – http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
AVG – http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
Avira – http://www.free-av.com/

******************Antimalware Software ***********************

Malwarebytes – http://www.malwarebytes.org/

*****************Anti-Spyware Software**********************

SuperAntispyware – http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

***********Any one of the following Firewalls – **************

Comodo Firewall – http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

*********** Be aware of malicious web sites ******************

http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html

******************** Browser ********************
Use a safer browser , for example google chrome , opera or firefox .

FireFox – http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

******************** PC Optimization **********************
Glary Utilities Free – http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html
Ccleaner – http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

So if you look at Norton 360 , it provides pretty much the same as above .
Good Luck

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 26th, 2010 at 11:54 pm and is filed under free downloads. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “Are the Free anit-virus downloads really as good as the paid-for ones?”

  1. Misc Tech Advice on June 27th, 2010 at 5:25 am

    Common sense is free.

    Without it, none of these utilities will be effective.
    References :

  2. Avast is the same thing, just free for home use.
    References :

  3. I prefer the free ones. They’re easy. And free. Obviously.

    Ones like Norton always cause me loads of problems.
    If you prefer to have the extras that come with the paid versions, then go for them.
    References :

  4. Sexy Scottish Kool Aid Man on June 27th, 2010 at 6:09 am

    I have never used a Paid Antivirus Programme before ..I have always used Avast ..It updates at least 4 times a day …I would stay away from AVG ..Avast and Avira ( both are free) offer better protection ..Also I would download Malwarebytes ( its free too) to help supplement your Antivirus Program
    References :

  5. callan chandler on June 27th, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Some of them are OK, but the majority of them are, to be blunt, poo. Ones like Norton and Symantec are worth getting, if what you need to protect is important. If it’s a childs computer, or just something to pass time with, then get the free ones. Hope it helps :]
    References :

  6. Free versions offer updates and are very good about it. I’d never pay for an Anti Virus program the free ones are just as effective. On an XP machine you would need to install a firewall, along with the free Anti Virus program as they don’t come with it…
    References :

  7. i downloaded Avast! 2 months ago and i never had a problem since(windows vista).
    just DONT download anything suspicious and u should be okay.
    by the way Macs cant get virus or any malicious software etc .there the best but quite expensive!
    the only thing i found with avast is that its a bit complicated ! hope it helped :)
    References :
    avast!

  8. "Computer Shopper" did a big comparison test this month (or last month, can’t remember). Most of the free ones came out as good or better than the paid-for ones as regards protecting you, and much lighter on resource consumption (and the wallet). Very important that you notice this was a proper real test with brand-new viruses only days old – most other reviews in the mags use test files from the manufacturers containing viruses that are months old.
    References :
    I use Avast – it updates at least once a day., more if there’s something new

  9. There are a few components that protect your home desktop from viruses .
    1. Antivirus – for basic virus protection .
    2. Antispyware & Antimalware applications – for the additional security .
    3. Firewalls – to block any attempts to get to your computer .
    4. Browsers – Always better to get the better one .
    5. Optimize your PC for Free .

    ************* Antivirus Software ***************
    Avast – http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
    AVG – http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
    Avira – http://www.free-av.com/

    ******************Antimalware Software ***********************

    Malwarebytes – http://www.malwarebytes.org/

    *****************Anti-Spyware Software**********************

    SuperAntispyware – http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

    ***********Any one of the following Firewalls – **************

    Comodo Firewall – http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

    *********** Be aware of malicious web sites ******************
    http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html

    ******************** Browser ********************
    Use a safer browser , for example google chrome , opera or firefox .

    FireFox – http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

    ******************** PC Optimization **********************
    Glary Utilities Free – http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html
    Ccleaner – http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

    So if you look at Norton 360 , it provides pretty much the same as above .
    Good Luck
    References :

  10. I was AVG free, obviously its not as good as the one’s you have to pay for. But I find its good enough. I’d only recommend it for home use :)
    References :

  11. Nearly anything is better than Norton.
    AVG is currently not good, but Avast is very good. So is MS Security Essential!
    References :

  12. No they are not. Paid versions are better!

    http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
    Full version Antivirus and free from Microsoft!
    References :

  13. Its all a matter of opinion. I use Avast , I have also got superantispyware and Malwarebytes. I recently changed to Comodo firewall which seems fine and I seem to boot up quicker. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans Hackers etc. I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps
    References :

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