Does your ISP give free security software?

And if so, which one?

I have Comcast and can get McAfee suite. Now this is going to be a controversial opinion on these forums, but I want to know why any normal user (and not power users who want to tweak everything) should ever pay for security. Its based on these observations -

1. most Isp's give free software
2. The free software is usually rebranded version of a major vendor
3. Security is less about the software and more about better practices. IMO in 99% of cases, any of the major av suites will do just fine. The times when they dont are quite likely to be 0-day.
4. All the talk of heavy/light etc in the end is about a few %cpu which is not a factor for most people.

I know I have a hard time recommending paid security to my non-geeky friends. I will set up a freeware only solution for them happily, but just as likely will ask then to install McAfee/Aol suite and just forget about it.

 

Me being a UK AOL user used to get AOL Anti-Spyware free and a very very old Free Version of McAfee Firewall.

Now only the firewall is available and AOL asks for a £2.49 per month subscription to it's Security Suite.

I'm not a fan of my ISP so sticking with my own choices as far as security is concerned.

 

comcast -McAfee suite Free and still will not use it.Well no longer use virus pgms anyways.

 

I also get mcafee free for one year with my ISP

I'm waiting for them to get drweb avdesk, but honestly I still think I would still use the normal windows version, its notfrrr
free but it is still mighty cheap in comparison with other av prices.

 

F-secure Internet Security but I don't use it.

Gerard

 

Cox offers for free the Authentium Security Suite, but they have signed an agreement with McAfee to offer their suite to customers in early 2008.

I would not use either brand, so it makes no difference to me.

 

I'm with comcast & McAfee but no I use either F-Secure or Eset's suite...

 

Also with Comcast(Comcrap) and I don't use the supplied AV either.
To bloated, most users (read normal users) don't care that they are offered a free solution from their ISP.
Why? Because they have something preloaded onto the box already and do not think twice about it. Even when it is expired and leaving them unprotected. Normal users are often under a false sense of security in this area thinking "I bought it with this AV in place and that has to be good enough."

My "fix" for this is to make any Security vendor who ships preloaded security software on the computer offer a lifetime license with the purchase of the unit, then we would not have to worry as much about the status of the security software. Sure security vendors will take a hit, but more than likely the big 3 can handle it.

Or ship more PC's with a 'nix variant.

 

TimeWarner (Road runner) They have CA Internet Security Suite. Which i do not use.

 

Mediacom offers CA Internet Security Suite. I have not taken them up on their offer.

 

The 3 majors ISP here(Videotron, Bell, Telus) do not offer security suite for free. Quite the contrary, if you take their suite(which is made by RadialPoint), they charge you an extra 6$ per month!

Strangely enough, my bank gives a better deal by offering 30% off Mcafee.

 

i'm with vigin media (ntl) and am i right in saying it does not offer anything?

 

I think SBC Yahoo offers CA eTrust but I would never trust my comp to it.

BTW computer geek, it seems Virgin Media does offer a suite.

 

thanks for the info, but i would rather stick with my avatar.

 

Simply answer is no. If l like I can pay 3,00 eur/month to use Custom F-Secure AV (3x machines) or 6,50 eur eur/month to use Custom F-Secure IS (3x machines).

In Finland not a single vendor gives anything for a free. Usually they have some monthly fees to get custom F-Secure AV/IS.

 

I have Cox Communications also and while I appreciate their effort to offer free security to their users I don't like either brand and will not use them either. Also, to sign up for the Authentium Suite you have to give them (Authentium) your Cox account information which I have no desire to do.

 

At the current time, ATT Yahoo offers Norton Internet Security combo (FW, AV, AntiSpyware).

Rob

 

My UK based ISP offers McAfee Security for the duration of service provision, though I do not use it.

 

which ISP, may i inquire?

 

See PM

 

Same with Rogers Yahoo. 2007 Norton IS with an additional branding shell/program.

I would use it if it was 2008 version.

 

You are correct; its seems they changed it.

 

My last one was offering BitDefender for free, current one doesn't offer anything, they just recommend using avast!, AVG or AntiVir.
Third ISP in my country offers F-Secure and our main educational ISP offers Norman i think. Not sure for others either.