We wanted to thank you for your help with the installation of our new computer and design of our web site.
There are many different security solutions, and several have both a free version and a paid version. Since you will always get what you pay for, you will find that the paid versions will offer you more options within the programme, better integration with your system and usually faster downloads for your daily updates. But, if you are not worried about these shortfalls (and not many are), for general protection you will find the free versions offer you equally good protection.
I must admit I'm not a great fan of either the Norton or McAfee security systems. I find them over complicated and not user friendly in some ways and although they have there uses in certain situations I prefer to use separate solutions for clients security needs, rather than the cumbersome all-in-one security they offer.
Anti-Virus Programmes
Free Versions Paid Versions
1. A.V.G. (www.avg.com)
2. Avast (www.avast.com)
3. Avira (www.free-av.com)
1. Eset NOD32 (www.eset.com)
2. BitDefender (www.bitdefender.com)
3. Avira AntiVir (www.free-av.com)
Although I really like Avast, A.V.G. wins out, because it offers a regular scheduled scan by default. The free version of Avast doesn't offer a sheduled scan, which puts your PC at risk if you don't remember to do it yourself once a week.
Firewalls
Free Versions Paid Versions
1. Comodo (www.comodo.com)
2. ZoneAlarm (www.zonealarm.com)
3. Online Armor (www.tallemu.com)
1. ZoneAlarm Pro (www.zonealarm.com)
2. Comodo Firewall Pro (www.comodo.com)
3. Eset Smart Security (www.eset.com)
Spy-Ware and Ad-Ware scanners
Free Versions Paid Versions
1. Ad-Adware Free (www.lavasoft.com)
2. a-squared Free (www.emsisoft.com)
3. Spybot S&D (www.safer-networking.org)
1. Ad-Aware Pro (www.lavasoft.com)
2. Spyware Doctor (www.pctools.com)
3. a-squared Anti-Malware (www.emsisoft.com)
