Free vs. Paid Security Software

[puff-m-d]

I have seen the subject of free vs. paid security software brought up from time to time, so I thought I would start a poll to see what people use.

Your choices are simple:

All of the security software that you use are free versions.
All of the security software that you use are paid for versions.
You use a combination of both free and paid for security software.


And of course if you wish to list your free and/or paid security software that would be great. It would be most interesting to see what free security software that people rely on.

[puff-m-d]

I use almost all paid security software. The only free software that I use is Ghost Security's GhostWall as I also have a router and like GhostWall's lightness on my system and overall speed.

[SwordOfSecurity]

well, i put my vote in for entirely free software, since it does represent the protection i use for my other computers...however my main one uses mostly paid ones, such as NOD32, Spyware Sweeper etc. but still counts as a combination i guess since it also has free stuff like ewido, a squared, kerio pf etc.

interesting poll, however i think most of the knowledgeable antimalware users tend to stick with paid stuff, while the ones who would rather have a quick fix for protection/removal and are less knowledgeable about malware would prefer free stuff, regardless of the extra things they lack

[se7engreen]

All of my realtime protections are paid for, but I do use many freeware tools to keep tabs on what’s happening on my systems. Also use some free on-demand scanners.

[beetlejuice69]

About 90% of my security software is paid the other10% is free. ie: SpywareBlaster and stuff.

[sukarof]

I am also one of those who keeps the software industry alive :)
Most of my programs are paid for. I do feel that the paid software has more work
put into the interface so imo they are easier to understand.
I notice, now when I think about it, that I tend to buy software mostly from small software makers.....

I have several programs that I dont use anymore because a couple of months later I find some other program doing the job better so I buy them instead. Wasting money? Yes propably, but I consider them having fair prices so I can afford it. And it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling supporting the programmers :)
And I do give money to charity too :)

Paid:

Totalcommander
Processguard
Appdefend
Roboform
Look´n´stop
Firstdefence ISR
Port Explorer
NOD32
Outpost Pro (but I think I have passed the subscription date by now)
Wallpaper Callendar
3D Mail effects
Snagit (screencapturing)
Irider (IE based webbrowser)
Nero 7

Free:
Process explorer
Startup List 2.0
Hostman
Locate 32
KeePass password safe
TrueCrypt
*edit*
Forgot to add: Firefox and thunderbird of course...

[Eldar]

Most of my security software is paid versions. :)
Primary software for sure, like KAV, Sunbelt Kerio, OutPost, Ewido, SpySweeper, ProcessGuard, Port Explorer, RegDefend,
Ad-Aware & AppDefend.

Paid for Opera too, but now it's free and it's getting better everytime. 8)
Use Firefox too, but not so much as Opera.
Spybot, Spywareblaster are the free security tools, which I like too.

Since I started, I payed a lot for software. Too much to sum it all up.
Some have already become obsolete since that time.
NIS2004, anti-spam, Avast Pro, ZoneAlarm, ACDSee, ... ::)

I've been cutting back to only buy what's really necessary, although
sometimes I can't resist. ;D

On the other hand I do have Paint Shop Pro X & SnagIt & some other graphics and multimedia software too
and whenever there's an update I really don't hesitate to pay for the upgrade.
Same applies to my security software.

You could say 90% of my software is paid and 10% is freeware.
It's my choice to pay for most of it, because I like to support development on software I really like. :D

Surely wasting money, not to speak about all the Palm software I bought. ;D

[WSFuser]

i use a mix of paid, shareware and free software.

paid:

nod32

shareware:

ewido
regrun
looknstop

free:

hostsman
samurai
harden-it
bugoff
windows worm door cleaner
nlite

[Alphalutra1]

Free, free like the wind ;D

See the signature 8)

Alphalutra1

[rdsu]

Both here...

I only want what I think it is the best for my needs...

[mikel108]

I use only paid right now. It's not that I think that free programs are bad, it's just I want to support the developers. In the past I purchased AVG Pro and I can only hope that in some way this helped those who could not afford an antivirus.

[nicM]

The few softwares I bought so far are Process Guard, Ace Utilities and TI 9. I usually use paid AV and FW, but I'm using free software for few months now (except for one of my computers, running Avk 2006), mostly because I'm doing my "shopping", choosing what I like, to know what to buy.

I'm not even sure to use a paid AV for the next months; if I buy it's NOD 32, but I really like Avast and Antivir 7 :) . However there are so much good freeware in every category of security software that I'll always use some.

About freeware, the question shouldn't be "why do you use it", but "why don't you use it", indeed ;D .

Cheers,
nicM

[Notok]

I think you ought to add "Mostly paid" and "Mostly free" software to the poll options :)

I would have to go "Mostly paid", although the majority of paid software I have I got for free from beta testing. I do buy a lot of software, though, and not just security software. Since the whole thing with the RIAA started, I've started to buy software rather than CDs (after I started making money again after the whole economic meltdown *cough*), and feel the better for it. When it comes down to it, I look at the software more for it's merit than it's price. There's some great freeware out there, but there's also plenty of pay-ware that just can't be matched.

[Brandon]

I currently use both freeware and shareware software.

Shareware:
Outpost Firewall Pro
BOClean
ProcessGuard
Online Armor (free from beta testing)
Ewido
TrojanHunter
A-Squared Personal (free from beta testing)

Freeware:
Spybot S&D
SpywareBlaster
Microsoft Anti-Spyware
Thunderbird
Firefox

Right now I am deciding on an antivirus it will most likely be a paid one ;) Im thinking of beta testing VBA32 again or trying Avast Pro :)

[manOFpeace]

Free and paid, although major software is all paid.

[Arup]

I use free Opera, Open Office, Avast and CHX along with free DNS server Treewalk, all work nice and secure on my PC.

[Osaban]

PAID:ShadowUser-ProcessGuard-NOD32-L'n'S-RegDefend-Ad Muncher
FREE:Script Defender- Mail Washer

This is all real time security.

[yahoo]

Paid:
ShadowUser
Tiny Personal Firewall
KAV

Free:
Opera

[iceni60]

my main OS is Ubuntu and that runs totally free software, maybe all open source. i use just about all free software for XP too but with a proprietary AV atm.

recently, because of Ubuntu, i have been reading about GNU/Free Software, Open Source and proprietary software. there are some great benefits for 'free' software. i was going to write about the differences but it would be off topic. you can lookup the benefits of open source, or GNU/Free Software - they are two separate schools of thought. or proprietary vs open source, or GNU/Free Software. there's some good articles.


i'll just say this - a few days ago i was listening to an interview with an Open Source developer, i think it was about the program called Wine (http://www.winehq.com/); the interviewer asked how many people were working on the code, i thought to myself 3/4 people, then he said 400+ i was shocked, but that's normal for Open Source.

[sweater]

I am just an ordinary surfer, mind you, not a multi-millionaire or related to Mr. Bill Gates or something like that and I don’t need to buy F16, M1A1 Tank or Apache Attack Helicopter just to protect my pc when surfing the web. An ordinary person I think only needs a medium-high concrete wall, an ordinary medium size dog that knows how to bark when there’s a stranger or visitors and a .38 revolver pistol to protect his home from possible intruders (considering that their area is peaceful and not infested w/ bad elements and if that so then he might add a shotgun, uzi, security guard and a motion detectors). In other words, I just use an all free protection software program set-up…not only coz I love freewares, but I don’t like complicated techno things as I am not paranoid enough to “armorize” my pc using full paid protections just to surf the net. I don’t use my pc for online-banking, or use my credit cards on the internet. I believe there are lots of free softwares out there that can already do the job same w paid versions. ;) ;D

To tell you, many of my friends aside from having Firefox browser, only use two or three of the free protection softwares for several years(but I would not recommend it)…and miraculously they survive surfing the net without any bruises or scratches. Some of them even works in computer stores.

For ordinary surfers out there…maybe you can copy my set-ups here. Just download/installs them one-by-one in any order. All of them are free… no strings attached, no subscriptions pay, no lengthy techno explanations and no boring yadda yadda words. 8)

BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED!!!

Aside from using the built-in Windows XP SP2 Firewall (set to no exceptions) and using limited account when surfing the net, I also uses:

Firefox browser- w NoScript, Earthlink Scam Blocker, and Site Advisor extensions.

Active real-time monitors/detectors:

Sentinel Integrity Checker, XP Firemon- to monitor the Windows XP SP2 Firewall, Avast! Home AntiVirus, AnalogX Script Defender, SnoopFree Privacy Shield - Anti-Keylogger, WinPatrol, SpywareGuard, and ProcessGuard free

Immunizers/bad download blockers:

SpywareBlaster and IE-SpyAd2

Scanners:

BitDefender 8, ClamWin, Ewido, A2-Squared, Ad-Aware SE Personal , Spybot S & D, X-Cleaner , F-Secure Blacklight Beta –anti-rootkits

Hardening Softwares:

Windows Worm Doors Cleaner, SafeXP and Harden-IT

Connection Watcher:

CurrPorts, and Windows XP Firewall Log Viewer by Pär Thernström

Accessories…analyzer, start-up etc…

Startup Mechanic, Autoruns, Process Explorer, ProcX, Doc Scrubber, EULAlyzer, ERUNT for daily registry back-up just in case XP’s System Restore didn’t work, and CleanCache 3.2 for erasing MRU and those internet surfing histories, etc… HD Cleaner-has lots of information and warnings. But I only use the Wipe Free Clean Space function to clean out free space to avoid possibilities of deleted entries in the recycle bin being restored.

As I have said, the above was meant to be for the ordinary surfers… who don’t use their pc on the net for financial transactions, on-line banking, using credit cards buying in the net, and didn’t have very important data stored in their pc’s. If however I use my pc for this purpose, then I would just add a very good paid versions of anti-hackers/Trojans tools coz I know that this is the stealthiest and hardest to detect enemy in the net. Like a good quality firewall…Outpost Pro I think is very good and it overwhelms me with lots of info that other firewalls will blushed, but if this would still make my surfing slow then I would replace it with Look N’ Stop. A full version of ProcessGuard and Ewido Plus and lastly a very good system image copier so that I can restore everything just in case everything else failed. And Hmmnn…. When I got over paranoid, maybe, I’d also buy a high-tech anti-wiretapping devices for my cell phones to prevent CIA, FBI or Mr. oppositions or James Bond or Lara Croft to record my phone conversations to use them as court evidences and maybe a hidden camera in every corner outside/inside my home that is aside from hiring lots of bulky looking armed men(careful, they are voracious eater…your kitchen will be possibly be wipe out), guarding my privacy while I’m surfing the net (he, he, he just joking). ;D

Anyway, I still love to choose freeware programs if I can coz I’ve been inspired by this words of sentences from Mr. Patrick M. Kolla the creator of one of the most popular anti-spyware program I have ever known Spybot-S&D. (I am just hoping that some developers of paid version programs will not get mad at me, sorry sir/madam.)

[LIW]

PAID
Nod32, Spyware Doctor, lns

FREE/SHAREWARE
Opera (used to pay for it), Ewido.

As you all can see, I am running on minimal settings coz I play online games a lot and I am a safe surfer.

Regards,
Liw

[TAP]

I'm entirely rely on free software

- avast! Home Edition, free antivirus that's best for my needs
- Ewio (backup anti-malware scanner)
- Spybot S&D
- Windows Firewall

There's no need to pay for anything...

[masqueofhastur]

I use a combination of free and paid, I always try free first, and use a trial whenever possible, because I often find that pay software causes problems that free software doesn't, ie Outpost prevents me from using mouse gesture software, BlackICE's application protection grinds my system to a halt and prevents certain necessary programs from autostarting, AntiHook results in a constant ~4% CPU usage for almost every program (fortunately I got the free deal for it so no money wasted). Some paid programs also aren't worth what they cost, ShadowSurfer is really limited in only being able to protect entire partitions, and is only really worth it if I'm doing something I know will probably screw my computer up and I want to test my settings, Sandboxie works nicely for what I'd usually want ShadowSurfer for and it's free. Ewido was mostly just catching cookies for me, so the realtime scanner wouldn't be of much use to me especially when I can change the privacy settings to not get the cookies anymore. The only program I've found to be really worth it is Nod32.

[marcromero]

I use paid security software. I utilize the advanced features usually supplied in paid versions as opposed to free software with disabled feature sets.

[herbalist]

I'm not quite sure how to vote this one. With one exception, I use freeware exclusively. For the one paid app, I got a free license as a beta tester, so I haven't spent one cent on security apps. Since the one program is paid software, I voted both.
Partial list:
Kerio 2.1.5
System Safety Monitor
AntiVir 6, manually updated, not usually running
F-Prot for DOS, manual scanning
Proxomitron
Filechecker
NIS Filecheck
Filemap/Bootalert
DirMon 2000
Eraser
Scramdisk 3.01r3
PGP 6.5.8ckt08
Script Sentry
I don't see one good reason to spend money on software that won't do any better than these. Anti-Spyware and Anti-Trojan software is not worth bothering with. They serve no purpose that System Safety Monitor doesn't do better. Pending further testing, it will likely replace my resident AV as well.
Rick

[TNT]

Mostly free, I'd say. When it comes to security software:

- Core Force
- Sandboxie (not technically "free", but the free setup is enough for what I need). :)
- Spywareblaster
- Password Safe
- TrueCrypt
- GnuPG
- Eraser
- IceSword
- Ethereal

I really don't think any of these has many superior paid alternatives. Also free:

- Ewido (see above)
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- Clamwin
- Snoopfree Privacy Shield
- VMWare Player
- Lavasoft Ad-Aware (free setup)

And of course the mighty OpenBSD (which reminds me, I really need to take time to set up a new system now... I neglected my favorite OS for far too long).

Paid, just Process Guard (contrary to the above, the free setup is quite not enough to be of much for this one IMHO) and Deep Freeze.

Other great free software, cygwin, Gimp (ok, Photoshop is still better, but GIMP rules nonetheless), Vim, Firefox, Opera...

[mercurie]

"Rely" is a strong word for the freeware I use. A second opinion, and I use it to keep up with what is out there for users to have in the free arena. I voted both free and paid.

[Rivalen]

Two paid - the rest free.

Best regards

[ErikAlbert]

I can buy 3 softwares of $30 from my free lotto winnings.
"Total Uninstall" will be the first one, because I can't install other softwares without "Total Uninstall".
I will also use trial versions of several security suites, one after another.
So it will be a combination of free, trial and paid. :)

PS.: Trial is forgotten in the poll.

[the Tester]

I rely on both.

Free:
Ewido scanner
Opera and firefox
SecurePoint firewall
SpywareBlaster.
Index.dat Suite

Pay for:
Vba32 antivirus
BoClean
Zero Spyware
SuperCleaner
Ace Utilities

[BuckSnort_]

At one time I had both, but now use paid Ewido, Spy Sweeper, SUPERantispyware, AVG, WinPatrol, and Look 'N' Stop. Works for me!

[pykko]

NOD32 + AVIRA Personal Classic + Ad-Aware SE Personal ;D

[ErikAlbert]

Temporarily : ZA Free + KAV Trial + Prevx1 Trial + Ewido Trial + Ad-Aware Free + Spybot Free.
Free and try the trial. :)

[stalker]

FREE SOFTWARE ... in fact, I've never paid for a single piece of software so far -- ;D ...


stalker

[LoneWolf]

Currently everything is paid......including Sandboxie

[Keyboard_Commando]

I used to be firmly in the Free camp ... I find many freeware apps grow into bloated out of control monsters. I end up going back to the darkside - Paying for what suits my current needs.

Just dumped Comodo.

[lonelywolf]

Paid
Online Armor 3.5.0.14 (firewall)
Zemana 1.9.2.104 (anti-keylogger)
Acronis 11 (for backup purposes)
Free
Geswall 2.8.3
SpywareBlaster 4.2
Malwarebytes' 1.37
Secunia PSI (for patching vulnerable softwares)
JavaRa.exe (searches for Java updates and removes older versions)
BitDefender Free Edition 2009 (antivirus)
AnVir Task Manager 5.6.0 ( task manager with which you can check every process on your computer on VirusTotal, kill processes, suspend processes, free up memory etc.etc.)

These above are all excellent softwares, using little memory resources and giving solid protection to the average user.

[Saint Satin Stain]

If you choose the best, you choose both paid and free. Some free ones are as good as or better than the paid.

[RSpanky]

I have 4 Paid, The rest is free

[Osaban]

All paid except for CCleaner, KeePass, Nero 7 Essentials, Karen's Replicator, and IZarc.

[progress]

Basically I rely on free security software :-\

[Ibrad]

I rely on free security software, plus giveaways of paid security software ;D

[PoetWarrior]

None paid

two free (MSE and Paragon 10 free)

3 built in (standard account with UAC on, firewall, DEP)

;D

[icr]

I too rely on free software I paid only once for Kaspersky 2009 that too very cheap about 450 INR (~ 10$) for single user license. And in most of cases I rely on promotions of any AV apps. Until now I have free licenses of OA pro,Avira,A-Squared,Panda IS 2010,PC tools (thanks to gizmos:thumb: )and many others.

[Securon]

Good Evening ! Currently use MSE and Prevx 3.0 for realtime protection. And MBAM as an on demand scanner. Sincerely...Securon

[daray]

Most of my security related stuff is paid for (but paid or free is largely irrelevant since what the software does is more important) - though I guess my KIS 2010 is somewhere in the middle since i keep getting given free one-year licenses for it every few months.

[captainron]

all freeware on an xp sp3 machine with LUA and SRP and router firewall + DEP all programs, no real-time programs.

security software:
Microsoft Security Essentials
A-Squared Free
Hijack This
Malware Bytes
Autoruns
Process Explorer
CCleaner
FF with no script, adblock, privacy guard, and WOT

[bigc73542]

All Paid except for Opera. nothing against free, I just prefer paid.
bigc

[dw426]

I suppose a good argument can be made for pro-paid and pro-free software. I rely on both (quite funny is the fact that my only paid software is PerfectDisk Defrag, lol). There IS truth to the consensus that paid offers more features than free, I mean, it doesn't take Captain Obvious to figure that one. Where people get way out of hand is in arguing how GOOD a product is when arguing paid vs free.

Extra features does not equal better, never has, never will. People are also quick to judge free products because unlike paid products, there is only a handful out there to choose from. And, when two or three of 6 free products don't hold up as well to the other free products, let alone paid ones, it doesn't take much for the simple-minded to conclude free means the product sucks.

[SirPeterPan]

Usually I prefer the freeware versions, only buying commercial when really needed.

[nomarjr3]

I use a combination..

The freebies are mostly system hardeners and on-demand scanners.

[gerardwil]

On various laptops I use free licenses offered by magazines: nod32, KIS, Fsecure, Gdata etc. and several other tools and toys to play with.

Gerard

[hugsy]

I use only freeware: it goes somethink like this, dropmyrights, firefox, comodo firewall, eraserl, neo safekeys

[Woodgiant]

Eset Smart Security only. I like - personally to keep things simple:D

[snowdrift]

Free:
Avast 5
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
SpywareBlaster 4.3
Privoxy 3.0.16
Various Firefox security-enhancing add-ons

Paid:
Windows 7: SEHOP
Windows 7: DEP
Windows 7: LUA
Windows 7: UAC
Windows 7: Firewall
WinPatrol Plus 18.1

[timestand]

-{ Quote: "Free:
Avast 5
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
SpywareBlaster 4.3
Privoxy 3.0.16
Various Firefox security-enhancing add-ons

Paid:
Windows 7: SEHOP
Windows 7: DEP
Windows 7: LUA
Windows 7: UAC
Windows 7: Firewall
WinPatrol Plus 18.1" }-

Fun how you say windows 7 is paid. then all need say windows is paid also. Anyway I guess you smart man. Why no use SRP or applocker? And who say you need pay for windows 7 ultimate any way. Joke. Or am i.

[3GUSER]

Nice old poll :)

Although I use a few free applications , I rely mainly on paid software . There is nothing free and Quality is Not Free.

[snowdrift]

-{ Quote: "There is nothing free and Quality is Not Free." }-

Wrong.

[icr]

-{ Quote: "Nice old poll :)

Although I use a few free applications , I rely mainly on paid software . There is nothing free and Quality is Not Free." }-

I don't completely agree with you:) There are many free alternatives that can match to any of paid products;)

[Meriadoc]

I agree, of course quality and free go together also.

What's kinda frightening sometimes is the amount I've spent on software which I no longer use for one reason or another. I also buy server software which can be 5, 10 or more times as much as personal.

[xandros]

some times i use pay antivirus & some times i use free antivirusm , for example i use at first kaspersky then i leave it and i use nod32 then i leave it then i use avast pro then i leave it then i use nod32 again then i leave it then i use kaspersky again then i leave it then i use panda cloud security then i leave it then i use comodo internet security then i dont know if i will leave it or no

[mrgigabyte]

i use both i like to support a company if their a good company with their support and i am also impress when they are on the forums helping people out with their software

[Mr.PC]

I used Paid on several PCs (i.e. DefenseWall, KeyScrambler Pro, and Rollback/EAZ-Fix/AyRecovery)

[YanK33]

i like free and open source software of course not always i can find something in that category (free and open source)

[Ibrad]

Although I rely on free products because I can't afford pay products I do feel at times some products are worth paying for. So sure you can get products for free but at times if you really want a product you have to pay.

[EASTER]

I found "FREE" many time outweigh commercial apps when it comes strickly to security ware programs.

[noone_particular]

I've always felt that there's no reason to buy somthing you can get for free. That said, if I find something I really like, I'd consider purchasing it. Unfortunately a lot of software companies aren't satisfied with selling you an application. They put time limits on it or make it dependent on "updates" so that you have to keep paying. I will not pay for any software that is time limited or makes me dependent on the vendor for it to remain viable. The software has to stand on its own and work this year, next year, and as long as I choose to use it.

[wtsinnc]

A combination of free and paid if you want to count (as I do) imaging applications as security software.

[dolph39]

Mainly use paid for real time protection with a few freebies added on. Currently using NIS 2010. I like the set it and forget features in the paid suites better. Comes in handy when I go a while without running a "second opinion" scanner. Found that when running Norton or Kaspersky my PC's stay cleaner. Yes the cost for these products is steep, but I've purchased both of these products for a fraction of the list cost on Amazon. For a 3 user license,worth it for top notch products.

[Rampastein]

I use both free and paid programs (which I usually get for free from giveaways ;) ). I don't think there is any quality difference between paid and free products, I simply use what works best. Sometimes free programs, sometimes paid, sometimes both (for example paid AV and a free firewall). In some rare cases when a paid program would be the best for me, but I can't afford to pay for it and can't find a good giveaway, I am forced to use free products.

[Daveski17]

I'm pretty happy with the freeware security I use (MSE, SAS, SpywareBlaster etc). It's nice of companies to make this stuff available. Of course, it does improve their tax status to give stuff away. ;)

[ExtremeGamerBR]

Paid:
Norton Internet Security 2011
Emsisoft Mamutu 3.0.0.16
Free:
Hitman Pro 3.5.6 Build 115
Emsisoft Emergency Kit 1.0.0.19

[tpro]

I rely entirely on free security software - there is no reason to pay for security software these days :)

[cortez]

Firefox addons, Avast, MBAM and Sandboxie are a near bullet proof freeware solution. (I have one partition with only XP Sp3, Firefox and SandboxIE for over a half year and it is one of my safest partitions and I go everywhere on the web).