Is it worth paying for an AV/IS

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by LunarWolf, Oct 30, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. LunarWolf

    LunarWolf Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2011
    Posts:
    203
    Location:
    Malaysia
    I would like to know your opinions about paying for an AV/IS seeing that free ones are able to get the job done as well. Couple it with sandboxie, MBAM free, any decent firewall I think one is good to go.

    I have tried both free and paid AV/IS and I have never have an infection.
    Free AV - about 1.5 years infection free
    Paid IS -almost 1 year already still infection free.

    So is it justify to pay for a AV/IS?

    I am asking because at my place I can't get those cheap promotion for AV from the net due to the exchange rates and other stuff. Just want to know what you guys think.
     
  2. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2012
    Posts:
    1,718
    Objectively I see no reason to pay for an AV/IS.
    On one hand there are free solutions more effective than the paid ones (Comodo, OA).
    On the other hand if you use Sandboxie (this one is worth paying for) you'll just need a basic, free AV.
     
  3. berryracer

    berryracer Suspended Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2008
    Posts:
    1,640
    Location:
    Dubai, UAE
    Today's FREE AVs have improved vastly that they are good enough to protect you.

    Heck, avast! and Avira score better than the paid ones sometimes according to AV Comparatives.

    I tend to do it just because it makes me feel safer.

    When I read online that Kaspersky or Bitdefender got the highest scores in the virus tests, just leave a small window of doubt against the free options.

    Either way, you cann't go wrong with any of them as long as they are always updated and you practice safe surfing habits.
     
  4. Blackcat

    Blackcat Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2002
    Posts:
    4,024
    Location:
    Christchurch, UK
    Not at the prices some vendors charge!

    I have never paid more than £5/$8 for a "retail" AV in the last 5 years and I am presently using Kaspersky given away free by my Bank.

    Agreed.
     
  5. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Posts:
    9,065
    in your situation I would say it isn't worth you paying for an AV. You could always get a lifetime license to mbam to be alongside the free av of your choice.

    I use a paid AV because I prefer the more frequent updates and no adverts. I have never paid retail price and do not intend to.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2012
  6. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Posts:
    8,623
    Location:
    USA
    I prefer the paid solutions and if you shop around price is not an issue. You can find the top vendor products between free after rebate to about $20 - $25 without one. In the end you have to decide what you like yourself but there is no reason to ever pay $80 for a suite you can find on sale.
     
  7. Nevis

    Nevis Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Posts:
    812
    Location:
    255.255.255.255
    yes

    In short I would say the reason:

    Most people dont know ANYTHING about security, so installing multiple layers of security for free is Alien for them.

    If however, installing a paid app such as Kaspersky , Norton etc protects them well and give them support ( VERY IMP for normal users), I think its not a bad idea.
     
  8. phyniks

    phyniks Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    Posts:
    258
    For Home Users,we have very good free options which do their job perfectly,so I think this is no need for them to pay ...
     
  9. Mongol

    Mongol Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2004
    Posts:
    1,581
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    By paying you are showing your support for their product and contributing towards research and development. Home users have tons of very good free options so it is a personal choice. Folks will spend hundreds to a few thousand dollars on a computer and some will then gripe about spending 30-60 bucks once a year for a security tool to protect it. Thats how the world goes...:)
     
  10. Page42

    Page42 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2007
    Posts:
    6,941
    Location:
    USA
    I tend to base my decisions on things other than cost, which is not to say cost is no object.
    I am turned off by some vendor's high prices and won't pay them.
    But free or paid doesn't really enter into the decision-making process for me.
    A quick inventory tells me I have more paid solutions right now than free, but there have been times in the past when it was more the other way around.
    And I have paid for some security software that I eventually removed from my computer while the license was still in effect. I don't think that just because I paid for it that I have to keep using it if it turns out to be unfavorable.
     
  11. Not for subscription-based AV software. A life-time license for (ie.) Sandboxie may be more valuable and better in the long run, than some paid-for AV. :)

    I think I'm getting my point across. o_O
     
  12. kdcdq

    kdcdq Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2002
    Posts:
    815
    Location:
    A Non-Sh*thole State
    Truer words were never spoken. :thumb: I could write a book on the subject of security-ignorant people but nobody would want to read it... :eek:
     
  13. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2012
    Posts:
    1,718
    Quite so.
     
  14. manak

    manak Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2012
    Posts:
    78
    Is it worth paying for an AV/IS?

    Definitely Yes.
    You support their product so they can provide you quality software and support. You pay for good quality service not just for software.

    So Paid product is better than Free product?
    It's a different story.

    Some vendors do not provide good customer support and quality software
    (moreover do not listen from their customers) I'm disappointed some reputable vendor's customer support these days.

    Security knowledge is more important than Paid vs Free for protection.
    Anyway there are very good free product options these days so when I consider paid product I usually take a look their customer support and software support.

    If you want to know free products provide good level of protection as a paid products for Windows system. My answer is Yes.
     
  15. Macstorm

    Macstorm Registered Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2005
    Posts:
    2,642
    Location:
    Sneffels volcano
    A paid AV, yes (no IS). Everything else is pure marketing.
     
  16. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2007
    Posts:
    2,201
    It really depends on the individual.

    There are so many approaches to security. Blacklisting ('AV') is a rather flawed concept, but it is not without merits.

    Sandboxie can be a useful tool, but it's not a panacea. What happens when you take your stuff outside the sandbox ?

    One of the great dangers of security approaches and software is the lack of understanding or incorrect application of the approach or software, sometimes known as 'you know enough to be dangerous'.

    I'm not sure about MBAM free, I have never needed it and I didn't like the brief trial. A bit like an AV, but then different ?

    A free AV ? There are differences between free and paid versions, it's a matter of preferences. There are certainly decent free AVs, but if they are good enough?
    I tend to rely on the tests of av-comparatives. If real time detection scores are not close to 100 %, what's the point of using an AV ?
    Many if not most of the better products are not free.

    As for support, that depends on whether you need it and there usually are caveats.

    Most people are better off choosing a suite rather than a separate AV, because some of the extra functionality can be quite useful, the convenience and the absence of conflicts.

    What's missing in your setup is a good imaging setup. I don't need an AV since I can always restore a known clean image. Aside from that I never get infected, like you.
    But perhaps running an imaging setup is too much for the average user ?
    It can save so much hassle and give great peace of mind.

    Are you sure you can't get a cheap AV/security suite ?
    Perhaps some people here can offer some links.

    I don't believe in 'extra' security software, just one program (if any!) and an imaging setup.
     
  17. whitedragon551

    whitedragon551 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2008
    Posts:
    3,264
    Location:
    USA
    Its been a very long time since Ive ever paid for an AV. Id say probably 10 years or so.

    I generally look for giveaways or arrange my own with my website and do a review/giveaway.
     
  18. Securon

    Securon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2009
    Posts:
    1,960
    Location:
    London On
    Good Evening ! LunarWolf...there are some superb no charge apps...Comodo Internet Security...Zone Alarm Firewall and Anti-Virus...and Avast Free Anti-Virus. I've purchased some excellent apps from Purplus and The Download Crew...but try before buying...because all sales are final...Digital Downloads...not Boxed...Oem...or Retail. And just by being a member at Wilders...means your privileged by being amongest a special group of very Savvy and Knowledgeable Members...who at any time are generous and supportive enough at providing Specials they themselves have sourced from the various Security Companies. They know who they are...and I salute their generosity. Much luck at finding a Secure future. Sincerely...Securon
     
  19. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Posts:
    2,959
    Location:
    Internet
    Is it worth paying for an AV/IS?

    When I pay, I prefer the Life-Time Licenses.

    The problem with the Free Security software is that
    someone needs to have many different Applications.

    Freeware does Not cover everything in a Single product...

    Others prefer top buy KIS or NIS and have everything in a Single App.
     
  20. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Posts:
    8,623
    Location:
    USA
    Re: Is it worth paying for an AV/IS?

    The only one of those I have ever obtained was for Outpost Security Suite. I hope they enjoyed the gift of me paying for that, because I have not been able to use it due to BSODs, Outlook crashing, etc.

    That and one never knows how long someone will honor that "lifetime" license. I bought a lifetime license for WinZip once...
     
  21. LowWaterMark

    LowWaterMark Administrator

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Posts:
    18,278
    Location:
    New England
  22. AaLF

    AaLF Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2005
    Posts:
    986
    Location:
    Sydney
    LunarWolf I reckon the best purchases are Sandboxie & Appguard & MBAM. All 3 are once only NOT yearly purchases.

    To this I'd add AVAST free AV plus a free no fringe firewall. (Windows 7 in-house FW commands as much respect as any firewall around.)
     
  23. G1111

    G1111 Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Posts:
    2,294
    Location:
    USA
    I use a mix, some free some paid.
     
  24. kdcdq

    kdcdq Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2002
    Posts:
    815
    Location:
    A Non-Sh*thole State
    Personally I am currently using all paid-for security products, with the exception of free-of-charge Privatefirewall.
     
  25. mick92z

    mick92z Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2007
    Posts:
    548
    Location:
    Nottingham
    I have previously paid for AV;s, but never again. I also paid for MBAM, Appguard, and S.B.
    I think most people think, because they are spending money on an anti virus program , they feel reassured.
    I tell friends, who spend annual dosh on suites, about programs like S.B , who then nod and smile. :eek:
    As a home user, with enough knowledge, I do not feel the need anymore to pay for an AV. ( I currently use Avira I.S, free for 18 months, due to facebook promo's :D ) also Avira free
    When they run out, it;s a free all the way
    I would pay yearly for S.B, and there's the irony, a product, IMO, that is epoch-making, which gives a lifetime license and personal support.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.