Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?
"Should I run AVG, SpyBot, and other freeware, or should I pay for a supposedly better program? I read so much negative about every security program and I am quite confused about them. Some I hear are actually fakes. If they really are worth the money, I am willing to try them. Can you give me your opinion on the best anti-virus, anti-spyware and popup blockers? |
Geeks Bearing Gifts?
You are correct to be wary of downloading certain freeware "solutions" for spyware, viruses and popups. There are some excellent free anti-malware tools, but some of the freebies circulating in cyberspace are in fact rogue programs designed to open your computer to a massive invasion of spyware and viruses. One notorious example was Winfixer, which purported to fix all manner of ills on your Windows PC. More recent examples include Antivirus 2010/2011, Win AntiSpyware, and Antivirus 360.
In reality, these fake anti-virus tools are "malware funnels" that only makes things worse. If you get tricked into downloading one of these, you'll probably see popups everywhere, and new viruses coming in by the truckload. See my related article Fake AntiVirus Software for more on that.
Mixing Up a Malware Cocktail
I hear from some readers who run two or three anti-virus programs, and half a dozen anti-spyware tools. Personally, I think that's overkill. WAY overkill. In fact, anti-virus programs can end up fighting with each other, and cause system lockups. And running multiple anti-spyware tools at once WILL slow down your computer.
There are at least a dozen highly touted anti-virus and anti-spyware tools -- some commercial and some free. So I understand your confusion as to which ones are best for you. It's natural to assume that the paid-for variety is of higher quality, but that's not always the case.
Here's my personal arsenal against viruses, spyware and annoying popups:
Works For Me!
This is what works for me. They're all free, they all come from trusted sources, and they work great. Automatic updates in each program help them keep pace with changes in the malware universe, and I have to say the proof is in the pudding. I do a LOT of web surfing, downloading and email handling. And so far, so good!
If you have a set of anti-virus, anti-spyware and popup blocker tools that do the trick for you, let us know here. If you use a PAID tool or service, tell us why you think it's better. Post your comments below.
|
|
Share this article with friends! |
|
Posted by Bob Rankin on 8 Jan 2006
| Need More Help? Try the AskBobRankin Updates Newsletter. It's Free! |
 |
Prev Article: Computer Humor |
The Top Twenty |
Next Article: Convert VHS to DVD |
 |
|
Link to this article from your site or blog. Just copy and paste from this box: |
There's more reader feedback... See all 162 comments for this article.
Post your Comments, Questions or Suggestions
Free Tech Support -- Ask Bob Rankin
Subscribe to AskBobRankin Updates: Free Newsletter |
||
|
Copyright © 2005
- Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy -- See my profile on Google. |
||
Article information: AskBobRankin -- Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? (Posted: 8 Jan 2006)
Source: http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Free
Most recent comments on "Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?"
(See all 162 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Delmar G Jack
13 Nov 2010
Bob; I sure am happy with Avira Security Premium
Suite. I also have Windows Defender. Is that enough secutity. Thanks. Delmar
Posted by:
Gavreil
18 Nov 2010
No doubt there are a number of very good free anti-spyware and anti-virus programs, but for the past two years plus, and having tried a number of various programs, I settled on PC Tools Anti-spy-ware with Anti-virus, and I have yet to experience a single problem. Their software has kept my PC free of such problems, as well, they provide warnings about various sites a person may visit unknowingly is a place to stay away from. PC Tools is not free, but I don't feel their being all that costly for one year subscriptions. I will continue to place my trust in PC Tools ability to keep my PC free of hazards.
Posted by:
Brian
26 Nov 2010
Hi Bob,
Just to comment on your Anti-Virus suggestions, i totally agree with you on some of the freeware, it is better than the paid versions. having tried Norton 2005, Kaspersky 2010 and Panda, removed all of them as they really did interfere with my system. I now use Advanced System care and AVG 2011, have never looked back. My pc is Windows XP Home SP3
Posted by:
Anas
04 Jan 2011
I only use Nod 32 buisness edition. Is this a good anti virus software. Its really fast and light. Yeah I need to pay for it but I got a username and password from the torrent and it worked! Now its like free t me then. Tell me that if its a good antivirus tool or not?
Posted by:
lindy
11 Feb 2011
I had Norton on my new computer (it came free with the new computer and I assumed it was up to date. I connected my computer to the internet and while I was updating the installed Windows, my brand new computer picked up a virus!I hadn't even got a chance to surf ANY sites!
I got on my old computer and asked for help from Malwarebytes and some unknown person I remain grateful too helped me download Malwarebytes onto a disc which I put into my new computer. I followed their instructions and eventually managed to get my new computer up and running again. But I've never gone on the internet with it again. We only use our old computer on the internet.
If you know nothing about computers and viruses I would recommend Malwarebytes. It found, quarantined and fixed something that the trial version of the Norton subscription let through. If I can ever afford to splurge on PC protection I'll be subscribing to Malwarebytes because of their goodwill.
Posted by:
Wally
24 Feb 2011
I hear all of you, including you Bob, saying dump Norton. Sorry, I have to put in my 2 cents for the product. Yes, it may have its faults, but being a slouch on security isn't one of them. Recently, I've been using Norton 360, and consider it well worth the cost. Watch for it on sale, and it can be reasonable. I run at least 4 ram on all my computers and it doesn't seem to slow them. I don't want to compromise when it comes to computer security, I just want the best. Norton 360 does it for me.
Posted by:
Kendra
05 Jun 2011
Dear Bob,
You may have been happy with AVG, but my computer IT techie insisted that I run a free virus scan trial using VIPRE b/c he said that AVG is weak and I did and it found 15 harmful things on my computer that AVG and Malwarebytes ignored (incl. 2 Trojans). I knew this stuff was on my computer because of the new toolbars it would force me to use but I didn’t know how to get rid of them. I am willing to pay to have a real virus scan. Try it out and see for yourself. (I am not affiliated with this company, I am just shocked at how much AVG missed and want to warn people). http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/home-home-office/vipre/Download/
Posted by:
sam
28 Jun 2011
Very helpful your posts are Bob! Tx! One question I have is what is the difference between an Antivirus software and an Internet security software as we have both these options available in some of them, eg: Kaspersky? I would like to download Avast from all that I hear from your post & comments, but the internet security is not for free. What other free programs would I need to compensate?
EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest adding the following: Anti-spyware, firewall, and spam filtering.
Posted by:
a v samikkannu
02 Jul 2011
Of all the tech people i have interacted with so far on the net you stand alone as a very good adviser; thank you for your elaborate but quite appropriate postings on this site.
i have been a netizen for the past 5 years or so with much interest in net-browsing, emailing, net-banking etc. i have been using the Norton Internet Security all these years though , to my utter dismay, it couldn't protect my pc from hang ups & crash downs; as i am afraid of freebies i had gone for the supposedly highest rated i'net security software; the other reason is that the Norton people are quick to help you online.
Posted by:
Dave in Indy
06 Dec 2011
I've been told to dump Norton (employer provided), skip AVG and the other free AV titles and download MSE. Would be interested in your opinions of MSE. Thanks!