PC Security Software - Free Versus Paid Products

There are three parts to computer security protection:

1. Antivirus [AV] - detects viruses
2. Antispyware - stops all those annoying pop-up ads and programs putting cookies on your computer so they can track your Internet behavior.
3. Firewall - stops someone hacking into your computer and downloading your files or uploading a virus

With so many free versions of anti-virus, firewalls and other pc security utilities, we did a little investigating to see whether the free versions were just as reliable as the paid vendor programs. And hopefully, less troublesome.

I have noticed over the past year that I have more problems on my laptops due to antivirus than any other aspect in my computing environment.

The memory demand of the programs is so big now that they cause continual problems with Outlook and many other programs.

The other main problem area with security programs is the firewall. If you use Windows Firewall, do not turn on the security program one as well. This causes a lot of conflict and accounts for many problems. Choose one or the other.

Considerations

Before we get into any specific recommendations it is important to recognise that:

• Most free programs are single programs. For instance, anti-virus [AV] only, or anti-spyware only. Most paid products have AV, antispyware and firewall bundled into a single security suite along with other product capabilities.
• Price is not synonymous with quality. Paid security suites may have more features, but the protection they offer is usually on par with the free alternatives.
• Free or Paid AV - check it has a good detection rate.
• None of the current AntiSpyware programs [Paid or Free] catches everything! You will find that using one of the top three paid AV programs plus use two or three free AntiSpyware programs will give you the maximum cover.
• Most new computers come with either Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus, and McAfee Virus Shield. That makes them a good program to avoid, as they are prime targets for hackers and virus makers. Lesser known programs are often safer.
• Ensure that the program is ICSA certified - look for the logo display a on the vendors website. A virus-Bulletin top 100 award is another confidence builder.
• Most Free Security Software is available only for Home/Personnel use & should be purchased for buisness use.
• Some free versions are time limited versions of the paid program.

New or Renew

One of the interesting things we found out was that you are often better off both in terms of cost and improved functionality to buy a complete new software package, rather than download an upgrade.

New programs are often on promotion, have rebates attached and generally come with one year of virus subscription updates.

Defnitely avoid auto-renew on anything. Especially if you have received any additional bonus paid services bundled with your offer. You will most likely find that your renewal with include the anti-virus AND the other services, even if you didn't want to renew them.

Recommended Free Antivirus Products

The best free products we recommend are:

Antivirus

Note: Free AntiVirus programs may require manual versus automatic update of virus definitions. They may also only scan incoming email. but not IM.

• Grisoft AVG Free- This is AV only. They have a paid product as well. Get the free edition here.
• Norton Kaspersky
• Zone Alarm
• Alwil's Avast Home Edition

Antispyware

Anti-spyware programs are newer than anti-virus programs, and spyware evolves more quickly than viruses due to the revenue generates. No one anti-spyware program is enough. Most tech advisors recommend setting up a scheduled scan of your computer with 2 or 3 different ones. This will remove most malware without slowing down your computer.

• Ad-aware Free edition
• Spybot S&D
• Microsoft “Windows Defender”

The combination of these two items should be more than adequate for most users.

Firewall

If you have a properly set up router using NAT it will act as an incoming hardware firewall.

• Windows Firewall - XPSP2 or above does not include outgoing protection to stop anything that gets in from sending data back out.
• ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall.

Top Paid Security Products

Advantages of Paid Products include:

• Vendor Product Support
• Limited Integration Suppot
• Security suties also offer privacy protection, theft & phising as additional securitycoverage.

Antivirus

• Kasperky Lab's Kaspersky Antivirus - great normal and polymorphic virus detections.
• ESet's NOD32 - great normal and polymorphic virus detections.

Further Security Tips

1. Always operate from behind a hardware router that does NAT [Network Address Translation ... they all do it). Use a router even if you are the only user and have no plans to share your internet connection.
2. Never respond to a pop up that offers to "scan" your computer for free. This is a common tactic used to sell inferior or even malicious products. Always check out the reviews of the product before allowing it to access your computer. Make absolutely certain that you know what you are getting. Check out download.com.
3. Don't install anything on your computer unless you have verified from reviews on reputable web sites that it is safe and legitimate software.
4. Only download it only from its official site or a reputable download service. There are many so-called anti-spyware and anti-virus programs that are the exact opposite and are just waiting to infect your system.
5. Run only ONE antivirus product on your computer.
6. Run only ONE firewall - Windows Firewall is not always the best choice.
7. Run 3 or 4 anti-spyware programs, but not in "real time." Run one constantly, then the others manually right after updating them at least once a week. Disconnect from the internet while running your scans manually. You can set up a schedule to run these plus a full antivirus scan and any other utilities such as ScanDisk and a Defrag program.

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