To think that we should not have to pay £40 for computer antivirus protection ?

[redandblacks]

I have been quoted around that amount for this year. There are free downloads available but someone with my lack of IT ability would find it impossible to cover all bases. Is it not possible to install a few free products which will also cover online shopping (my main use of the computer)?

I was using AVG (free version) with no problems for years, then my pc got a devastating trojan virus. DH reckons he can narrow it down to an online shop he used, but the AVG didn't save it.

just get rid of windows it is awful,get linux.

We pay £74.99 to protect 5 laptops with McAfee.

I'd rather do that than have my laptops buggered TBH.

Get a mac ;)

I use AVG & Spybot and have done so for years.

I use Avast, and did upgrade to the paid version. It was very efficient when I inadvertently activated a virus, and cleared it quickly. I buy it on a multi-year discount, and for approx £25-£30 per year, it's a lot of peace of mind for a small price.

thanks for your insights - I have installed zonealarm, malaware and avira and it seems slower getting started but faster once you are up and running - \i could not get the other one beginning with A as my windows is apparently not authentic even though I paid over the odds for it to some local IT guy (see what I mean?). I will dutifully run the Spy Bot unless it duplicates one of the three I have already.
I used to have a mac actually but nowadays I am told that the protection and functionality is more and more similar to \pcs????

my PC had Kapersky until this week and I am feeling a bit vulnerable without it just because it was a paid product (irrational, I klnow). Other dilemma (now that I have a tech thread up and running but is also AIBU) is that my father has given my old Mac to a scrap dealer without my knowledge (hard drive inside) - am I screwed and if so, what can I do to protect myself other than changing passwords etc?

One thought for those on windows machines - make sure your user account is not an admin account. Have an admin account that you only log into to install things, then run as non admin for your Day to day stuff. Then it's much harder for a virus/Trojan to install itself.

This is not instead of antivirus but every little it helps!

I don't think £40 is that bad. I used the free versions of AVG and then Avasti for years and got viruses but only when I forgot to update. I then got a trojan thing when my Avasti was updated (by clicking on a photo on Twitter from a sleb I used to follow - go figure). Don't have much faith in the free ones so I got Norton, tempted by the half-price offer (it's always half price...). Completely bloats my Windoze laptop of course but I feel safer...for now.

Can't wait to chuck the ,laptop out and get a MacBook this year so all this faffing should be a thing of the past!

I use Avast, and before that AVG (wasn't compatible with a game I play which was the only reason for changing). I've never - touch wood! - had a problem.

Norton however, that was a nightmare. Totally gummed up my system and made it slow as treacle, and really difficult to uninstall. It practically fits the definition of malware in itself imo, and charges you for the privilege .

McAfee is diabolical - don't touch it.

Another endorsement for Windows Security Essentials (free). If you are really paranoid about viruses, I recommend Prevx. The free version killed a virus for me that nothing else could touch, so now I use it all the time. It's about $20 a year.

I bought AVG from the hut website for 9.99. I've used it for past 4 years and thankfully never had a problem.

Another Avast (free version) user here. I've not had a single virus in the 8 years I've used it.

avast does look good - how would I de-install avira which I am not impressed with so far?

Control panel - Add/remove programs - Uninstall it.

I'm on mac and haven't looked back

norton is renowned for clogging up computer

redandblacks go to your control panel and install/uninstall and just follow instructions. And, i'd guess your IT guy has an 'off the back of a lorry' copy of Windows with a generic activation code (i.e a university/college license code) I will add that I wouldn't worry about it - I doubt Bill Gates can be bothered chasing you - he has bigger fish to fry than 1 personal computer [wink )

i've never yet paid for antivirus (pre mac) and have never yet had a virus and can't understand why on earth anyone would want to waste money on it. Millions of people rely on the free ones and never have a problem and to be perfectly honest, when a new virus is programmed it'll get through ANY anti virus until you've scanned - either automatically or independently. Thats the aim of a virus. There's no point in them making a virus that they know the virus protection will block now is there...

Stick with the freebies and save yourself the cash, be sensible on the internet - don't open attachments if you don't know the source, only access secure sites etc.

Another vote for Avast antivirus and Zonealarm (free version) firewall.

Touch wood have never had any issues.

Also run Malwarebytes once a month.

I agree McAfee is useless. I had it but I still got a virus.

I wouldn't use McAfee on principle.

Kaspersky is worth the money in our experience. You can often get it at Costco for a reduced price.

Forget Windows and use Ubuntu Linux. www.ubuntu.com. Everything is free, it actually works, you can run it on cheap hardware and virus infectiins are unheard of.

£40 is hardly unreasonable for software than can cost millions to write. But it's not difficult to get for free, several banks will give it to you for free with their internet banking (Barclays/kaspersky, HSBC/McAfee).

Antivirus and anti-malware is part of computer science/software development that is ever changing, and each and every product needs to be constantly updated.

Behind each product, there is a team of developers, technicians, virus and malware researchers, and anti spam technicians, and coders that work all hours, shifts spread throughout every 24 hour period. That is just the back end. Then you have the people working on the user interface to make it as easy to use as possible, and fast! The product testers, who ensure it is bug free so your system does not crash, and that it "communicates" with every known program that could possibly be installed on your pc.

The team that keeps on top of every new piece of malware whether it spreads on malicious websites, on links through emails, on Twitter though direct messages or tweets, or on Facebook through funny pictures of puppies and kitten that people spread, heck through charity causes saying "if you Like me I might hit my target of cancer treatment in America" etc etc.

People who keep up to date on every single development in the world of email and web threats. People who make it their job to know every new worm, every new trojan, every new security threat, networks with black hatters and white hatters alike.

The team that markets the product, updates the websites with every new feature, so that you know what to get and that you can stay protected.

This is the surgical team that protects your PC, that knows your pc like a doctor knows your body, and knows all the internet threats like a doctor or specialist in new and emerging health treats.

And you expect it to be FREE?

And you know what, most of the best solutions for home users are actually Free.

But, you should not take it for granted, there is a whole team of people working their socks of worldwide to ensure your pc is protected, whether you chose to educate yourself or not.