Windows 7: Renew or Change ?

Hi , On my PC I have just got (second hand) it has Vipre antivirus premium installed (Expiration Date 12/02/2011) so when the time comes should I renew and pay or go for a freeware alternative ? (I don't know a lot about Computers but now I have this one I intend finding out a lot more !) any advice appreciated

Trust me on this
Go for the free Microsoft Security Essentials
Malwarebytes, for good malware scans
and
The windows fire wall

They are among the best for Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Hi richc46 , Thank you, I have wrote down the names you said, so would you advise uninstalling Vipre and installing the products you posted now ?

Hi Ciara, welcome to the Seven Forums.

I second Rich's advice. All the products he mentioned are not only free but also really good. And yes, that's the way to do it: uninstall the old Vipre, download and install MSE and Malwarebytes, turn the Windows Firewall on.

Kari

That would be your call. If you are happy with what you have you can keep it until renewal time.

Some points to remember
Before you uninstall make a system restore point, so that you can go back if problems or you are not happy
Use the anti virus uninstall tool if one is available at their website
if they do not have one, use Revno if you have 32 bit computer

Most members here recommend the three protective software that I just gave you. They are some of the best for windows.

Hi Kari and thanks for the welcome

Yes I see richc46, I may as well get the use out of Vipre until its end date then I will install the applications you suggest

I see there are two Malwarebytes (free & Retail) what would you suggest please ?

I advise the same, but if you want a little more interactive protection, I recommend Comodo firewall. If you don't like to be bothered by your protection software, windows firewall is great.

Windows firewall is good in Windows 7, I would not say either is better, but you might wind up having a preference.

Thank you LiquidSnak , I will look at Comodo firewall.

About Malwarebytes, the free version is enough even to most of us geeks and heavy users. Simply put, IMO today we are in a nice situation were a normal Windows user no longer have to pay from his / hers virus and and malware protection or firewalls, if we don't want to.

Kari

1) If you are satisfied with Vipre's performance stick to it. At the end of the day, no AV can provide 100 % security, so a layered approach is best. So, you have one AV, a firewall and Malwarebytes. But yes, MSE is free so if you are looking for a freeware alternative, that would be it.

2) The freeware MBAM does not provide resident protection and does not auto-update. That means that its only an on-demand scanner rather than a real time one and you need to manually check for updates from time to time. The paid version also has a feature called Flash scanning that scans memory and vulnerable areas for infection.

But the free version does quite nicely. Its important to note that the AV definitions are the same.