Antivirus: Free vs. Paid Detection

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  1. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #31

    pparks1 said:
    tw33k said:
    i have to say that I'm a firm believer in "You get what you pay for" and I believe this is particularly true with AV software.
    While there is a lot of merit behind a statement like this, I also believe in "Do you really need what you are paying for?".

    For my own personal needs, I haven't found a need for a more robust AV solution than I have gotten from the freebies over the years. My surfing habits are safe, I don't visit nefarious sites, I don't download much software, I don't use disks and devices from others on my computer, I test most things in a VM not connected to the outside world and I use Linux quite extensively for my web surfing, etc. Thus, spending money on a higher quality AV solution for me, is like donating it to charity without the tax write-off. It doesn't benefit me in any way.
    +1 Well stated.
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  2. JMH
    Posts : 7,952
    Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. SP1.
       #32

    pparks1 said:
    tw33k said:
    i have to say that I'm a firm believer in "You get what you pay for" and I believe this is particularly true with AV software.
    While there is a lot of merit behind a statement like this, I also believe in "Do you really need what you are paying for?

    For my own personal needs, I haven't found a need for a more robust AV solution than I have gotten from the freebies over the years. My surfing habits are safe, I don't visit nefarious sites, I don't download much software, I don't use disks and devices from others on my computer, I test most things in a VM not connected to the outside world and I use Linux quite extensively for my web surfing, etc. Thus, spending money on a higher quality AV solution for me, is like donating it to charity without the tax write-off. It doesn't benefit me in any way.
    Personal opinions will always vary & should be respected even when we disagree with them.
    I too am a very safe & cautious 'surfing' computer user.
    Having used the free programs before I felt it time to "donate" & get the paid version.
    In answer to the rhetorical question you posed - "Do you get what you are paying for?" My answer would be an unequivocal "Yes"
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  3. Posts : 300
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64/x86 Windows 7 Pro x64/x86 Windows 7 Home Premium x64/x86
       #33

    I have used the free AVs, Avast, Avira, AVG. Tried several paid versions. Norton, Kaspersky, Avira Pro and others.

    ESET has always done the job best.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #34

    JMH said:
    Personal opinions will always vary & should be respected even when we disagree with them.
    Sorry, if you misunderstood me. I wasn't disrespecting anybodies opinion.

    I was saying, I have to weight the pros of the software versus the con (being the cost). For example, if I rarely see anything nasty and take extra care and caution with most things that I do, I don't find it worth it to spend $49 a year on a paid for product. However, I could see somebody else who based on their habits and interest would get $49 out of use of the product in a heartbeat.

    Here is an example. i bought a copy of Acronis True Image Home 2010 for $23.99. Used strictly to take image based backups, I would say that it isn't worth $23.99 as I can do the exact same thing for free with Macrium Reflect Free as well as EaseUs ToDo Backup. However, the function that I like in Acronis True Image is Try and Decide and I've used that more than enough to make the $23.99 more than worth it.

    Another example, but going the other way. I use Microsoft Office at work and occasionally have a need to edit a quick document or spreadsheet from home when I am not on my work laptop. Therefore, I download and install Open Office on my home computer. For me, there is no way that I can justify the cost of Microsoft Office at home for as little as I can use it.

    JMH said:
    In answer to the rhetorical question you posed - "Do you get what you are paying for?" My answer would be an unequivocal "Yes"
    Hopefully with my explanation above, you can see that I did not intend this to be a rhetorical question. Depending upon your needs...you have to evaluate whether or not you are getting your monies worth. It's not always Yes for everybody, everytime.
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  5. JMH
    Posts : 7,952
    Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. SP1.
       #35

    There was no misunderstanding re personal opinions I just stated the obvious. We are all entitled to think as we like.....
    Thanks for your further explanation.
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  6. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #36

    joel406 said:
    I have used the free AVs, Avast, Avira, AVG. Tried several paid versions. Norton, Kaspersky, Avira Pro and others.

    ESET has always done the job best.
    And if there is anything after ESET, that's avast .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,275
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #37

    THE BEST AV is the one that protects you from yourself the best. Depending on what you do, it is different for everyone. I used a free version of an AV for a few years. No viruses or anything, but I decided to pay for it for 2 years to try it, and nothing changed. I haven't had a virus for years either way.
    I now use MSE (MBAM also)simply because, with my browsing habits,and what I use my PC for, I see no reason to shell out money for no apparent reason. That said, it is different for each person, and that's understandable. What you use for a browser,browser protection, email, all of it changes what you need to protect yourself from. That's my opinion anyway. Not necessarily right or wrong, it's just the way I see it. :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #38

    MWRed said:
    THE BEST AV is the one that protects you from yourself the best. Depending on what you do, it is different for everyone. I used a free version of an AV for a few years. No viruses or anything, but I decided to pay for it for 2 years to try it, and nothing changed. I haven't had a virus for years either way.
    I now use MSE (MBAM also)simply because, with my browsing habits,and what I use my PC for, I see no reason to shell out money for no apparent reason. That said, it is different for each person, and that's understandable. What you use for a browser,browser protection, email, all of it changes what you need to protect yourself from. That's my opinion anyway. Not necessarily right or wrong, it's just the way I see it. :)
    Well said.
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  9. Posts : 1,747
    window's 7
       #39

    Avira stand tall. (for me)
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  10. Posts : 16
    W7 Prem 64 on Dell, Home Build W7 Pro 64 1drv, XP Pro 1 drv
       #40

    The link to AV-Comparatives states clearly Avast 5 Free version. The scanning engine for the Avast free and paid versions are the same.
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