Cheap Internet Security Software

Rorie · Post by **Rorie** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:31

i am looking for cheap anti virus and internet security software. i am currently using avg free anti virus but i check out the prices for full avg software and it is expensive. but i check out avast and it is reasonable pricing like i can get 3 years protection for around A$90 avg does not even offer that. can anyone recommend some cheap internet security software but will not break the bank?

KeenEmpire · Post by **KeenEmpire** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:55

Spybot
malwarebytes
linux
disabling javascript and plugins by default
common sense

Honestly, to some extent, you're just bleeding money for solutions whose effectiveness are not very clear. I wouldn't pay for such a thing - but that's just me.

Roobar · Post by **Roobar** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:02

MS security essentials.

Rorie · Post by **Rorie** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:12

KeenEmpire wrote:Spybot
malwarebytes
linux
disabling javascript and plugins by default
common sense

Honestly, to some extent, you're just bleeding money for solutions whose effectiveness are not very clear. I wouldn't pay for such a thing - but that's just me.

so you are telling me that using malwarebytes and avg free (which i currently use now is good enough?) and that i am just flushing money down the toilet if i go for paid solutions?

Post by **Levellass** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:45

I secure my firefox browser with adblock, flashblock and noscript. (I also disable java. Not javascript, Java. See here for why: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense ... _now_.html )

I use Avast Antivirus for my computer which is free and pretty darn good.

KeenEmpire · Post by **KeenEmpire** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:56

Rorie wrote: so you are telling me that using malwarebytes and avg free (which i currently use now is good enough?) and that i am just flushing money down the toilet if i go for paid solutions?

Damned if I know. Maybe you just happen to be some sort of edge case where free vs paid antivirus really does make a difference.

The problem is precisely that we don't know. And when we don't know, we tend to throw money at the problem assuming that, because we're spending extra money, it must be making a difference! But, in reality, perceived increased effectiveness may just as easily be placebo/security theatre of the type you see in airports. I'm not willing to spend money on something that (I can't tell) could just as easily be a placebo.

In reality, if you get an updated browser, disable javascript and plugins, your internet is probably already more secure than most out there. Firewall to make sure no crap is being pulled behind your back.

Rorie · Post by **Rorie** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:31

Levellass wrote: I use Avast Antivirus for my computer which is free and pretty darn good.

is avast better than avg? i have been considering making the move and if it is worth it

Nospike · Post by **Nospike** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:02

I'm using a paid version of AVG. I must say, it's fast, doesn't eat up system resources, always up to date and minimum false alarms. As fast as free programs go, I'd go for Avira AntiVir. There are many positive reviews and IIRK even the paid version is cheap.

Rorie · Post by **Rorie** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:34

Nospike wrote:I'm using a paid version of AVG. I must say, it's fast, doesn't eat up system resources, always up to date and minimum false alarms. As fast as free programs go, I'd go for Avira AntiVir. There are many positive reviews and IIRK even the paid version is cheap.

i can have 3 years of avast's best protection for A$90 avira is asking over $100 and i do not even know what currency avira deals with, the exchange rate makes a big difference even if it is USD/AUD

Nospike · Post by **Nospike** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 14:16

Well try the free version of Avira instead of AVG for a while, see if you like it, then you can decide. I really liked it, too bad the free version only offers antivirus, antirootkit and realtime protection, so no firewall or antispyware. It's your call obviously. Avast isn't bad either but I don't really like the newest versions. And as for AVG, I'm subscribed to a pretty good computer magazine which has a 1 year or so paid AVG security pack license on every DVD so I can have it for free. It's one of the better antivirus programs for sure, as I said it's not that slow and I often forget that I even have it, that's how silent and unobtrusive it is.

Post by **Levellass** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:46

Can't comment on Avira, but I prefer Avast over AVG. On the other hand,my browsing habits aren't that dangerous. I had a friend furious at Avast because it kept saying all her free cursors she got online had Trojans in them, so she deleted it.

chrissifniotis · Post by **chrissifniotis** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:34

I had Norton a couple years ago; solid defense but massive when it runs, slows the computer right down. It was also pretty expansive for its most secure package, avast by contrast is cheaper and with safer browsing the security is just as good and scans don't slow it down so much.

1000 points to avast.

Nospike · Post by **Nospike** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:15

Chris is right, Norton isn't actually bad either but it's insanely slow, it feels like your computer is about to die.

chrissifniotis · Post by **chrissifniotis** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 0:50

Nospike wrote:...Norton isn't actually bad either but it's insanely slow, it feels like your computer is about to die.

Oh yea, the box was coughing, the monitor was bleeding, and between you and me-
>>
<<
I thought I heard Mortimer laughing in the distance.

Norton's alright if you want so much security that you don't mind waiting ten minutes for a five minute video to download on YouTube.

Post by **Levellass** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:31

Very few people realize that Norton works by making your computer so unattractive that other viruses don't want to run on it.