Any of you guys actually buy the anti-virus/spyware proggies?

[dr_ml422]

I'm just curious. I've been using Avira free and Spybot s&d free 4 a while now. No problem whatsoever. I'm sticking to if it ain't broke don't fix it. The reason I don't buy them isn't necessarily that they're free, but that the additional options are mostly provided for by my isp. IE: e-mail spam and virus protection. Any of you guys see any real xtra reason to buy into any of these free anti-virus spyware proggies? Like to know several takes on this. Thnx.

[blutach]

That's what I've got and I supplement them with Malware Bytes Anti Malware, AdAware, Rootkit Revealer, HijackThis and Secunia PSI.

Regards

[dr_ml422]

I haven't googled those proggies of yours yet. I'm guessing they're free also? I'm not even close to interpreting rootkits yet. AdAware I've heard of. The others don't seem too difficult.

[blutach]

All freeware. When using rootkit revealer, don't play with your machine - at all.

Regards

[ed klein]

Mine are all freeware, antivirus, firewall, and register clean-up

Malware Bytes Anti Malware
Zonealarm (sometimes Microsoft version)
AVG 8
high jack this
CC cleaner
JV 16 power tools

[BR7]

I use all freeware
COMODO Fiewall
Avast Ant vi
Spybot
Malware bytes
spywareblaster
CCleaner

[doctorhardware]

I have nortons, I get it from a rep for free. Yes I know that it is a resource pig.

[atifsh]

i had nortons, now i think iv wasted my money..

got avast and S&D now all free

[copyless]

I still use Norton 360, there are some drawbacks, but I usually buy it every year when they have it on sale and with rebates, so I end up getting 3 new licenses for $10-20, instead of having to pay the renewal fee. this way the cost is a lot cheaper than renewing it, but still not free. I have always used Norton products and have been satisfied with their service and reliability.

[atifsh]

I have always used Norton products and have been satisfied with their service and reliability.

i was using norton 360, norton antivirus 2007, and have access to one system with endpoint protection. was happy till one virus able to pass them and nortons cant even knew system is infectd. norton 360 crashed, norton antivirus 2007 and endpoint keep prompting about virus attack has been blocked, but couldnt tell any more nor can find and clear it.

only when i put my usb in another computer which have avast found and clean couple of viruses that i get to know bout them.

[dr_ml422]

That's good to know guys. Guess the consensus is more or less the same. The freeware does the job and buying the additional options just doesn't make sense.

@doc & atifsh. That norton is a resource hog and really not that great. Avast is a hog also but it does a great job.

So rule of thumb is yes you could have 2 spyware proggies, but not 2 anti-virus ones correct? The spyware proggies seem to all be manually started so no complications I guess. The anti-virus proggies are always on and automatically update themselves like avira. At least I think that's what I read here in the forum in one of the posts regarding this. Thnx.

[paglamon]

The anti-virus proggies are always on and automatically update themselves like avira.

Not necessarily. You can always choose NOT to start an antivirus automatically or NOT to update automatically.
BTW, I use Avira Antivir Personal
MBAM
Super Antispyware
PCTools Firewall(free)
HijackThis
Trojanhunter(occasionally)
CCleaner
Advanced WindowsCare Personal.

[blutach]

@Fast Eddie - thanks for the info on jv16 - for those who are interested, there is an (older) freeware version, if you google it.

Regards

[dr_ml422]

Not necessarily. You can always choose NOT to start an antivirus automatically or NOT to update automatically.

Isn't it better to have it on at start-up so it can catch something aqap? I would like some clarity on this from some of you guys as this seems to probably have a more clear cut approach than our own personal preferences. I feel it's a whole different ball game as opposed to other software or hardware choices. Thnx.

[paglamon]

Isn't it better to have it on at start-up so it can catch something aqap?

Ofcourse yes. I just said that it is not necessarily "always on" automatically. In fact some will prefer even to load the antispyware(especially those with real-time protectio) at startup. I personally load the Avira Antivir and PCTools Firewall at startup.