I've been scanning these boards a lot lately and I think read at least the past 5 years worth of posts in the forum on the matter of paid vs free security software, but what I see consistently is strong arguments for both sides. Including opinions from self-proclaimed experts and professionals.
Some say free stuff is plenty good for the vast majority of users. Also on top of that the internet is really not -that- dangerous as some companies want you to believe and especially if you are a sensible internet users. Some also say it is superior because you have multiple products from multiple companies doing different things. Whereas with a suite you have one company doing everything so if one vulnerability or hole in the product is exposed/found out the whole thing is shot and the malware/hackers/terrorists will have free run.
I've also heard free software is superior because it can be open-source, and open-source generally means higher quality than proprietary software. So it's sometimes thought.
With that said, I've also heard that paid is better because it's a bit higher quality, generally gets editor's choice awards at PC Mag and such, and is updated more often. With free software the best products are constantly changing for the top spot one second it's avast next is avira etc. etc. so not only will you save time and hassle but the risk that one of your top-of-the-line freebie products has gone down hill when you weren't paying attention and potentially you are now exposed. Additionally there's also no guarantee the different company's products will combine well together.
What is the TRUTH?
I'm considering shelling out $20-$35 dollars a year for a paid suite. I have Quicken and online banking and my portfolio and personal information and lots of stuff I'd really like to be secure. And as a student I'm often in coffee shops or elsewhere connected wirelessly. I've also known several people over the past few years who have been victims of identity theft so that threat is beginning to feel closer to home these days. I'm really more concerned about a solid firewall than malware or virus protection because I think I generally know what stuff to click on what not.
But yes, do someone tell me the truth about all this.
Some say free stuff is plenty good for the vast majority of users. Also on top of that the internet is really not -that- dangerous as some companies want you to believe and especially if you are a sensible internet users. Some also say it is superior because you have multiple products from multiple companies doing different things. Whereas with a suite you have one company doing everything so if one vulnerability or hole in the product is exposed/found out the whole thing is shot and the malware/hackers/terrorists will have free run.
I've also heard free software is superior because it can be open-source, and open-source generally means higher quality than proprietary software. So it's sometimes thought.
With that said, I've also heard that paid is better because it's a bit higher quality, generally gets editor's choice awards at PC Mag and such, and is updated more often. With free software the best products are constantly changing for the top spot one second it's avast next is avira etc. etc. so not only will you save time and hassle but the risk that one of your top-of-the-line freebie products has gone down hill when you weren't paying attention and potentially you are now exposed. Additionally there's also no guarantee the different company's products will combine well together.
What is the TRUTH?
I'm considering shelling out $20-$35 dollars a year for a paid suite. I have Quicken and online banking and my portfolio and personal information and lots of stuff I'd really like to be secure. And as a student I'm often in coffee shops or elsewhere connected wirelessly. I've also known several people over the past few years who have been victims of identity theft so that threat is beginning to feel closer to home these days. I'm really more concerned about a solid firewall than malware or virus protection because I think I generally know what stuff to click on what not.
But yes, do someone tell me the truth about all this.