Why do you pay for security products?

[ssj100]

Why oh why?

[crofttk]

Baaaaah! Humbug!

[Boost]

Pretty simple:

To support the company for ongoing development.

[sded]

I support companies that are doing something interesting that I want to encourage and add some features in their paid version that I find valuable. I avoid free software where the aggravation is more than the value.

[the Tester]

When I do pay for a product I do it the direct way, by purchasing a license for a pro or full version.

[funkydude]

ESET being a small company they need all the support they can get >.>

[demoneye]

i consider this as only security software poll , so i use only free ones which archive even better results than the paid ones ... so if they want my money they need to improved at least twice as the free ones!

[YeOldeStonecat]

The poll is missing a few important choices
*Support
*More features than the freebie versions offer
*More confidence in stability and compatibility
*For business environments, usually using free products is against their TOS

[arran]

I can't vote because their isn't an option in the poll for my reason.

I pay for my security products because the ones I use don't have a free version. And why do I use the products I have? well that's another discussion for another thread.

[Beavenburt]

This should be an interesting poll. I do wonder why people pay for security software when there's so many free alternatives that do the juob just as well. In fact I wonder why people pay for any software full stop.
ssj100, you should add the option - I got conned into paying for Norton by PCWorld when I bought my overpriced Vista machine.

[m00nbl00d]

I don't know if this is like an old saying or something like that, but, I always believed that if, for certain things, you wish quality, then you have to pay for it.

I use both free and paid products. If there are free products as good as the paid ones, then I'll use them. It would be insane not to. But, if the free products, somehow, failed to be of quality, I'll stop using them, and I'll pay for the alternative, after testing it, of course.

All that is free is not of bad quality, and all that is paid is not of great quality.

[m00nbl00d]

-{ Quote: "

[...]
ssj100, you should add the option - I got conned into paying for Norton by PCWorld when I bought my overpriced Vista machine." }-

Did you? :D

[Beavenburt]

No mate, but I know plenty who have.

[Gaeko]

2 people who voted for "I have too much money"??
Wow, how lucky. ::)

[icr]

Well I don't normally pay for security apps
Avira 9 that i m using has promotional key so i will be using it as long as the key doesn't expire !!!:argh:
As such piracy is still not over:lurking:

[TOMxEU]

I do not, I do not see why to pay for useless software since PC is secure enough without them, I use freeware just to sleep a little better due to internetbanking.

[YeOldeStonecat]

-{ Quote: "This should be an interesting poll. I do wonder why people pay for security software when there's so many free alternatives that do the juob just as well. In fact I wonder why people pay for any software full stop.
ssj100, you should add the option - I got conned into paying for Norton by PCWorld when I bought my overpriced Vista machine." }-


How about in a business environment? Since the user didn't specify "personal home use"...or in an office, small business, enterprise, etc.

How about antivirus/antiphishing/antispam products for mail server..such as MS Exchange or Lotus Notes? Those are techincally security products, there are not many "good" free ones out there. And since uptime and reliability is "usually" a concern in a business environment..it's usually desired, by most people, to use products that have real support. How many free ones cover all this?

How about that edge device/firewall you run your network behind at the office? (that's technically a security product thus in the realm of this post) Wouldn't you want support for that so if you're having an issue on something...you can call and receive fast effective support so your business can move ahead and use it? Mission critical services need fast effective support, something that's hard to find on freebie stuff.

For those people who use freebie products like Avast or AVG Free or Avira...in a business network on multiple machines, you know that's against most of their rules? Here's copy 'n paste from Aviras website
"designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users, for personal use only, and is not for business or commercial use."

[Beavenburt]

-{ Quote: "How about in a business environment? Since the user didn't specify "personal home use"...or in an office, small business, enterprise, etc.

How about antivirus/antiphishing/antispam products for mail server..such as MS Exchange or Lotus Notes? Those are techincally security products, there are not many "good" free ones out there. And since uptime and reliability is "usually" a concern in a business environment..it's usually desired, by most people, to use products that have real support. How many free ones cover all this?

How about that edge device/firewall you run your network behind at the office? (that's technically a security product thus in the realm of this post) Wouldn't you want support for that so if you're having an issue on something...you can call and receive fast effective support so your business can move ahead and use it? Mission critical services need fast effective support, something that's hard to find on freebie stuff.

For those people who use freebie products like Avast or AVG Free or Avira...in a business network on multiple machines, you know that's against most of their rules? Here's copy 'n paste from Aviras website
"designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users, for personal use only, and is not for business or commercial use."" }-

Businesses can still use Linux. I did assume he meant home use though.

[lodore]

Hello,
to support the company for ongoing devolopment.
Kasperky labs always respond to my emails for fixing fp's and real malware.
I got a free license for prevx ages ago from a nice member from wilders. i started using it last week and its great. the staff are great to and fixed a fp for me very quickly. im definatly willing to pay for that kind of service.

[noone_particular]

-{ Quote: "2 people who voted for "I have too much money"??
Wow, how lucky." }-
Must be the ones from this thread (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=241451).:P
I see no reason to purchase security software when the available freeware is more than good enough. The one exception I might make is SandBoxie. I'm quite impressed with its ability to isolate the attack surface and am considering making it a permanent addition to my core package. I can't honestly say that I need it as my setup is well secured without it. Still need to work with it some more before I decide. The only other security software I would have paid for is SSM, but my beta tester license made that unnecessary.

[Page42]

I chose "To support the company for ongoing development".

Once or twice I paid and later wished I hadn't. I see some people actually keep the software (that they dislike) on their machines just because they paid for it. That's not for me. The two I paid for then became unhappy with, I could not wait to get them off my HD.

Mostly I select the software regardless of whether it is free or costs money. Free, of course, is great. But paying is not a problem if that is what is required to get what I want.

A couple of times I have sent in donations for freeware that I continue to use and I would feel guilty if I didn't send them something. Two programs come to mind that I have sent in multiple donations for each one over the years... not a big amount, but sort of like a renewal fee. I think we should support developers whenever possible if they have produced good software.

Free software is a blessing that ironically seems to balance out the ones we paid for and ended up removing. :)

[gaslad]

I think a lot of money is wasted on unnecessary and bloated security products/suites, driven by the fear factor plus the failure of many users to do their homework.

I use mostly free programs (CIS firewall with D+, Windows Defender, SpywareBlaster, MVPS Hosts file, MBAM, BOClean, WOT, OpenDNS) but I choose to pay for 2: my Antivirus, and WinPatrol PLUS.

In the case of my AV, I tried all the recommended freebies, but got tired of the occasional server overloads that delayed updates. With the best paid AVs, you get priority access to dedicated servers, paid support, and other features.

More importantly, all the independent AV test sites I trust (av-comparatives, VirusBulletin, AV-Test) actually only test the paid versions, and one cannot be sure the results apply to the free counterparts (apart from on-demand scan detections). So after checking the track record of the best paid AVs over the past few years, and trialling a couple, I chose what worked best for me. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee per week at Starbucks, it seemed a prudent investment.

As for WinPatrol PLUS, I think I paid only about $15 (a one-time payment) to support the author (Bill P, one of the most ethical out there) and found the extra features well worth the modest payment.

[vizhip]

Thing is... I will use the free product to get a feel for the company and then eventually remove it or buy the full version... I also tend to pay for shareware as well...

I find that monetary support is an encouragement to produce better versions... when a company starts moving away from a better product or doesn't keep up with the times, I move away from them and stop supporting them...

You would also be surprised at some of the return comments provided by those that want postcards from different places in return for use of their product... even to the point of getting clued into some neat utilities...

Yeah... there are some great free products available right now... but I find it so much better when they have an incentive to work for ME rather than loading some toolbar to gain a little money... so I am more than willing to support those companies that produce products I like...

Regards -
-Bob

[YeOldeStonecat]

-{ Quote: "Businesses can still use Linux. " }-
That depends on what they run as their line of business software. Unfortunately this means, for businesses, their choice of using linux is slashed quite a bit....pretty much nil.

Look at the selection of line of business software for:
Law Firms
HealthCare firms
Nursing Agencies
Nursing Homes
Doctors offices/Medical Specialist offices
Dentist offices
Accounting firms
Electric Companies, plumbing companies, various contracting
Construction Companies, Architect firms
Resorts/Clubs
Foundations
Oil Supply Companies
Real Estate agencies

That's just a quick 1 minutes list of some categories of small business clients that I take care of....they run fairly standardized line of business software that is based on Windows.

The only clients of mine that I've seen a few PCs running *nix and some apps based on *nix,
A Theater...ticketing software
A metal fabrication business
A rubbish hauling company

[Beavenburt]

I don't really want to bogged down in a discussion about Linux in the Business world.
I assume the OP was refering to home use only and on that basis I see no need to pay for security software at all. Whether people want to or not for whatever reason is up to them, but they certainly don't need to. There are enough free choices out there.

[Rmus]

Because it has the features I want. That it is a paid product, is irrelevant.

----
rich

[demonon]

I tend to use free software as much as possible.
I only use paid software if there is no other alternative to it and it is absolutely necessary.

[tipstir]

What ever works then you pay for it to support the author/company. Free from the same company supports them too as you can report bugs. Being a software developer myself if you support me I'll keep on making improvements so in a way yep!

[Minimax2000]

By buying a security product or donating for it I value its quality and usefulness. This encourages the developers to maintain or improve the product.

It's my way of saying THANKS.

[Dark_Hanzo]

I pay for security products because I have to. Unfortunately, nobody offers the programs I am interested in for free.

[icr]

-{ Quote: "I pay for security products because I have to. Unfortunately, nobody offers the programs I am interested in for free." }-

Hey u can get many crooks and keystone cops of security products on net;)

[SystemJunkie]

The vore result looks reasonable so far.

[icr]

-{ Quote: "Haha, I see you're using Avira Premium Security Suite. Nice one haha." }-

Yeah but with a promotional license that is valid till end of June;)
After that you will see diff sig:argh:

[Dark_Hanzo]

What are cracks and keygens?;D I'll never understand people who use cracked security programs to protect themselves from the people who cracked the security programs in the first place. It's like asking a thief to guard your house while you are away.

[progress]

I only use free security products :)

[Keyboard_Commando]

So far this year I have bought a license for both Defensewall and Shadow Defender (I got Defenswall for half price via bitsdujour.com, a good place for deals). Shadow Defender is just one of those make-sense-tools that I have been needing as I am a habitual tinker of setttings and so on. It will serve me well for my XP machines (as long as XP is supported by MS)

Apart from sometimes impulse buying, maybe Defensewall was an impulse buy lol ... usually there is a definite chain of the events - Free version ► progressing to paid. 30 days trial is a trap really. I need much longer to fully suss out whether I really need something (took me 4 years to decide to buy Sandboxie license). I definitely try not to jump right in purchasing software as conflicts have an annoying habit of showing up after trial periods :ouch:

But I think those of us interested in computer security are very fickle. The impulse buying monster if always hovering on the shoulder.

The next great thing is soo tempting.

[Saint Satin Stain]

-{ Quote: "ESET being a small company they need all the support they can get >.>" }-

Folks, funkydude, Eset also produces a good antivirus that doesn't grab all your resources.

[Warlockz]

I use free and paid, the reason I use Paid for security software is because theirs not any free Internet security suite or antilogger software that even comes close to the features in the paid software I use!

[Osaban]

Like it was pointed out several times in this thread, there isn't really any free software. The home user has often the opportunity to access a free version as a form of advertisement for the company, so that by word of mouth they might have a chance to access the corporate sector or sell their services and/or software to a big company (see Russinovich and MS). AVs are special cases as the the free versions not only promote the company but they harvest new 0 day malware absolutely necessary to produce new signatures.

As far as I'm concerned what I am interested in comes with a price. I don't mind paying because work must be remunerated, what I wish would change for home users is the licensing system: One license should allow at least 2-3 computers, as most households have several machines nowadays.

[tactful]

I am with Osaban.although trial first is Always a good thing(just don't trust free apps).don't mind paying because more often than not you get what you pay for.recently upped to ESS from KIS.already had more support from them than in years past with Kaspersky.Not saying they're bad(ok resourses needed stunk)a slowed a Broadband connection to that of dialup so turned out to be not for me.what works for others does not always work for everyone,in fact just repaired a friends KIS last night that was giving them fits. should this not work out and hope it does ZA IS could be next.many are starting to go 3pc but for a price of course.heard about ESS from/on the MG forum.do not know if Eset has one.this seems to be it. do a lot with the computer.

[funkydude]

If you exclude the one time payment of KeyScrambler, I no longer pay for software subscriptions, complete waste of time when the free versions are equal or superior.

[tactful]

Jst like the one time payment(s) to MBAM and SAS(practically stold SAS Pro lifetime sub@9.95 long ago)

[trjam]

A very good question. I am proof you can pay out your ass and still get infected. The old way of AV is still my favorite but I honestly dont think the shelling out of money proves to work any better. Yeah no avatar, still smarting over Eset letting me down, but it vould have been any product.

There are other paid ways that work better then a AV, but even still money doesnt always get you a "Get out of jail card free."

Right now just using MSE and Sandboxie. Except on one 64 bit PC. Ihave just kind of worn myself out looking for what really doesnt exist. Malware is getting bigger and bigger of a problem everyday and it really looks like a lost cause for some. One product or five, it doesnt matter. Just save your money and hope for the best.

[culla]

been using computers for 20years never paid for any program ::)

[tipstir]

I got you beat there how many years but why pay for it since they make free version that lite and doesn't hose down the system and still offers protection. There are a lot of good opensource and freeware. Still everyone going dig in and pay up for what they can get for free. Again not everything is for free.

[blacknight]

-{ Quote: "Because it has the features I want. That it is a paid product, is irrelevant.

----
rich" }-
Quote. And the development has his cost, if I like a software I have not ideological barriers to buy it.

[Windchild]

-{ Quote: "Like it was pointed out several times in this thread, there isn't really any free software. " }-

I would say there is tons of free software. For an accessible example, how about Ubuntu?

Do I pay for security software? Sure, if I really want to test something and can't get it without paying for it. Other than that, not anymore. :)

[trjam]

-{ Quote: "I would say there is tons of free software. For an accessible example, how about Ubuntu?

Do I pay for security software? Sure, if I really want to test something and can't get it without paying for it. Other than that, not anymore. :)" }-
I hate to say it but I agree. Paid software doesnt add much if anything to the pot anymore. Now having said that, I will say there are still specific paid applications that are very good and can not be found for free. Sandboxie, Defensewall, Gewswall to name a few. So it really isnt about paid or free, it is about what you can get by with. I love ShadowDefender and feel it is probaly the one app that is the best of all. If Tony can now just get 64 bit going.:dry:

[BlueZannetti]

-{ Quote: "Because it has the features I want." }-I think this pretty much says it all....

You pay for security for the same reason you pay for anything else - you find value in the service/product.

As with anything you purchase, shopping around and really understanding what you really want are important details. A consideration of those details may lead you to a free option, or the converse.

Blue

[noone_particular]

I'll consider a pay product if there's no adequate freeware equivalent. Since I use single purpose apps exclusively, there's almost always a good freeware available.
Exceptions:
SSM Pro. I would have gladly paid for this one.
SandBoxie. One of the few that are worth purchasing. Haven't decided if it's a necessary addition or an overkill with my existing security package.