Anti-Virus vs Internet Security

[mixdix123]

Hello, I have a question about protection. I am formatting and will install Windows 7 64 Bit on my PC. My question is how do free anti-viruses or internet securities compare against the paid ones and if I install for instance Avast Free 2013 how does it compare against my Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows Workstations 6.0? Are there any worries that my PC will be insecure? Do anti-viruses offer web protection? Are there any performance differences between free and paind anti-virus softwares?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

If ya look at Virus Bulletin and other tests, the paid ones are definitely a notch above. Biggest thing however is that all the paid ones auto update .... Site licenses (though this is a misnomer as not limited to a single site) provide a very inexpensive way to purchase protection. F-Prot for example offers group licensing as low as $2-3 a seat.

A three user pack of Zone Alarm Internet Security is $15 a seat
http/www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-computer-security-suite.htm

Split that with 2 others among ya family, friends, whatever

Comparative results

http/www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/julaug-2013/

You will notice that most of the free ones don't score very well while others like Avast: Free AntiVirus got a 5.5 / 6.0

MS Security Essentials - 0.5 / 6.0
AVG: Anti-Virus Free Edition 2013 - 4.5 / 6.0
Check Point: ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 11.0 - 2.0 / 6.0

 

[geofelt]

Most viruses and malware enter via user deception.
If you are reasonably good about opening links in strange emails or accessing notorious porn sites, you are reasonably safe.
I might put in a vote for windows security essentials. It is free, unobtrusive and reasonably effective against the more common known threats. Less so for first time in the wild threats. It gets updated via windows update and as needed if a threat appears.
It also tracks suspicious web sites and gives you warnings.

 

[dj07]

No, there is nothing much to worry if you use free antivirus tools. It is just that paid versions of protection utility come up with some additional features and you can use them to create more secure environment while computing. There are many free tools like Avast (as you have mentioned), Immunet Virus Protection, kaspersky internet security, Norton Total protection etc. You can use free or paid version (as you like) of any of these tools. You can also check some online tests and reviews for better comparison and selection.

 

[AGx-07_162]

Most viruses and malware enter via user deception.
If you are reasonably good about opening links in strange emails or accessing notorious porn sites, you are reasonably safe.

This is probably the best advice you will get. There are few that you will likely get unless you're doing things you shouldn't be doing anyway. Don't fall for the old tricks: Suspicious emails from people you dont know? Don't click the link or open the attachment. Don't visit illegal websites. Don't download torrents (and if you do scan every last file that comes out of it). I've gone for the last 8 years using only the free versions of Avast and I've never had a problem and you'll be fine as well as long as you're careful about what you do.