Switching Security Solutions

whs said:

JMH said:

Currently running AVG Version 2012.0.1873 [ Paid } on all computers here.
Have used it on XP, Vista & & now Win 7 computers.

We have NEVER had any problems with it.
That is the very reason we have been loyal paying clients.

{You will find the vocal minority will not recommend it.}

Life has been good to you. Maybe the paid version is better. But the free one brought 18 of our systems down. What a mess.

AVG like all AV programs can only cope with so much stupidity / irresponsible exposure to undesirable sites.

I am looking into AVG IS 2012 or VIPRE IS 2012. Looking at all reviews and comments on these products to decide.

Strictly from a BSOD perspective The only app that doesnt seem to crash some systems is Microsoft Security Essentials,

Your best bet is to go with the one that you will use religiously.


As a disclaimer, I dont use MSE.

I don't use too many free solutions. I am more comfortable buying the product for a reasonable price, and as long as the product works and the company behind it is reputable.

As I said I dont use MSE.

If it is a choice between AVG and Vipre, go AVG.

codyw said:

I am looking into AVG IS 2012 or VIPRE IS 2012. Looking at all reviews and comments on these products to decide.

I'd go for VIPRE. It includes a HIPS.

Hi, codyw.

Everyone's mileage will vary depending on their management of third-party software, surfing habits, operating system, and other security products installed. As you've seen, opinions vary and are often based on personal experience and favorites. My personal favorite is ESET, which is having a 2 years for 1 sale over Cyber Weekend.

wow nice spread. I did a lot of research many years ago
(5=many to me) and had found that AVG was far better than most other common apps/suites. And that the difference between the free and paid is slight at best. You do not get "ID secure" and theres a ad banner, to name most of them. So I have advised it to clients for ~5 years and installed it for them. There IS a very noticeable pull on system resources, but for great security, I looked past it (myself I have never used antivirus/antimalware scanners or protection on an average of 5-6 personal computers around the house, I did use Norton in win 3.11 for a year, then trashed it - I would be lying if I said I had ever had a known infection on one of my computers - I just practice active awareness, thats for another thread - back on topic. A client had a full breach by AVG by a nasty rootkit, AVG recognized every viral/malicious component and logged it as they passed by for him. I can say thanks to SF and 2 weeks worth of man power the infection is believed to be clear. So I read up and spoke to those with more knowledge than myself on the various softwares available, and learned that AVG ranked LAST in several reputable studies. I now am transferring everyone to Avira (or Avast if the prefer) and so far so good, highly improved web performance. Many people love ESET - I have enjoyed the (financial) fruits of this software's occasional quirkiness, on a good deal of vista and win 7 systems, where they seem to suddenly experience changes in settings, even intermittent firewall protection, but just on some systems it seems. Finally any MS app is an opinionated type decision for people to make, more political based IMO than value-based. Regardless of what software you use, I will assure you to assume it is there, protecting you, is the biggest mistake people make, don't use it as a crutch..practice active avoidance, look for red flags, trust is quite a realistic looking mirage online. The actual software is not nearly as important as that advice can be. Take from my rant what you like! or not.

Best of luck!
Mike

codyw said:

I don't use too many free solutions. I am more comfortable buying the product for a reasonable price, and as long as the product works and the company behind it is reputable.

Re Paid versus Free.
I too always choose paid.

Generally, free apps have less-frequent malware-signature updates than paid products do, which can leave a window of opportunity for brand-new baddies to evade detection. Most of the free apps we tried update their signature databases only once daily.

Can You Trust Free Antivirus Software? | PCWorld

......there are some differences between the paid and free versions of security software of the same company with regards to the protection components offered.
In other words, the engine components available in the products are what you are paying for. Thus, free apps may have antivirus or anti-spyware capabilities, but a paying customer definitely receives increased protection for the system through a bunch of components (such as email scanner, web shield, behavioral analysis, etc.) not included in the free edition of the product.

Antivirus: Free vs. Paid Detection - Softpedia