Free Anti-virus and Security for everyone
They've recently made it a little harder to track the free version website down - the link for that is quite well hidden if you go tothe usual grisoft page. So I thought it would be good if I post it here - AVG Anti Virus Free edition - http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
Now, some of us might be concerned that a free version is not going to be as good as a purchased copy. Thats not true. This version is pretty good.
On the GRISOFT website, it clearly lists out what things you do not get if you use the free version.
What you do not get
- Anti-Spyware
- Anti-Spam
- Firewall
- 64-bit and server support
- 24/7 Technical Support
- High-speed updates
- Multiple languages
- Detailed settings
- Consent for commercial use
Now, obviously, some of you might be concerned that you're not getting what seem to be quite critical things! So let me explain and guide you further and if it saves you a few $$, then all the better.
Anti-Spyware
Most common anti-virus software does not include anti-spyware. Yes, you might get a bundled copy that includes it, but its really just a sales ploy to make you afraid of what threats exist out there and what harm they can do to your computer. Most of it is overblown.
A free anti-spyware software - that I have used and like very much is - Windows Defender. Yup. Its a Microsoft product, and though many of us hate MS for being so prissy, lets face it - most of us run Windows on our Home and Office PCs, so Windows Defender is really among the best you can get.
Best of all, its free - get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Anti-spam
Now you might think anti-spam is a very essential feature, well, not in an anti-virus program. AVG Free edition comes bundled with email scanning, so make no mistake, it WILL check your incoming mail for any viruses, worms etc, what it will not do is screen out those annoying spam mails for credit cards, loans and body modifications.
You don't really need that. Most webmail, (like GMail for instance), already has inbuilt spam filters, you probably just need use those more often if you're getting a lot of spam - to do that, click on the 'Report as Spam' link/button found on most email websites.
If you're not using webmail, but are using a client, you're going to get an inbuilt spam protection filter anyway - Outlook comes bundled with one and so do most other email clients. An email client would not really be complete without a spam protector!
Firewall
No worries - parents who are afraid their kids will be exposed to some dirty evil hacker or are afraid their credit card details will be stolen - need look no further. Download a free (and excellent) firewall here - Check Point Zone Alarm. You will be impressed by its interface and its functionality. http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
64 bit and server support
How many of us really have a 64 bit PC or require server support?
24/7 technical support
If the anti-virus software is good, you wouldn't really need any support. Google is a great help, so if you find a virus and your software (AVG) isnt able to clean it, search the web and you will find a solution.
High speed updates
Its not like Anti-virus updates are a few gigabytes so take forever to download. The average update is a few hundred kilobytes, so it really should download in a few seconds (maximum!) on normal broadband. In any case, the availability of high speed updates implies the assurance that you will get the update in a few seconds and at the time you require it - this is only essential for enterprise environments - and not really for home use - unless you're running a server farm in your basement.
Multiple Languages
Lets face it, if you're reading this post you don't really care if the software you buy can also provide its interface in Russian. You know English, and why would you want to spend extra $$$ to support a language pack you're never going to install? Charity is fine, but its not really required when you buy an anti Virus software now is it?
Detailed Settings
And what would you do with detailed settings?
Consent for commercial use
How many of us use our home PC for commercial use? Video games, surfing, paying bills, chatting etc do not constitute commercial use (unless you derive direct financial gain from it).
So - go ahead and download AVG, Windows Defender and Zone Alarm. Make your PC safer and more secure. And do it all for free.
If you have any questions, post a comment and I'll try and answer them here.
Labels: anti-spyware, anti-virus, firewall, free, guide, help, security
6 Comments:
Hi,
I agree about the anti-spam, not needed. Email clients are already naturally protected against that, and if you're careful, there's no reason why spam could not be easily rejected.
greetings
apache
ps. you posted in my blog, I left you an answer there.
http://deskwall.blogspot.com/
question: what do you type in comments so that links appear as links, and not just typed text?
thanks.
oh yes, if you want I can put a link to your blog in mine. Tell me if you agree first.
Apache suggests Comodo Firewall/CoreForce as well. His comment here.
Hey, I just saw in your profile you were a scorpio, so am I! Others think we're rather dangerous people, selfish etc...lol
just wanted to mention that the way security software companies are taking now is one program that combines anti-virus + anti-spyware in one single database (like Norton 360). Well that was expected, as the line between spyware and viruses becomes really blurred. Another new feature that will become more and more integrated with these programs is HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System). You'll find that with firewalls too sometimes, like CoreForce, or the next version of Comodo Firewall.
cheers
apache
An excellent, free anti-spam that I use and found to be about 95% effective is SpamBayes. Just Google it.
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