Credit for this post goes out to Woody Leonhard in the Windows Secrets Newsletter of May 5, 2011: "I've been recommending free
antivirus software since the second edition of Windows XP All-In-One For
Dummies, nearly a decade ago. I've drawn the wrath of many a player in the
billion-dollar AV industry, but I still say there's absolutely no reason at all
to pay for antivirus protection.
Back in XP times, I recommended AVG Free, Avira, ESET's NOD32, and the like —
many of those products were, and still are, free for personal use. That's
changed. Starting with the second edition ofWindows 7 All-In-One For
Dummies, I've stopped recommending any third-party antivirus software. Why?
Because Microsoft makes a first-rate AV product that's absolutely free for
anyone with a genuine copy of Windows. It's also free for organizations of 10
or fewer people. Microsoft Security Essentials (download
page) goes in easily, runs quietly, needs no tending, and catches as many
infectious programs as any of the big-name antivirus products. And it's free.
Fred Langa has a full description in his May 6, 2010, Top
Story , "The 120-day Microsoft security suite test drive." I've heard all the arguments against Microsoft Security Essentials. Yes, it's
like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop. But in this case, MSE's one fine
fox. MSE doesn't catch all the nasties, all the time. No AV product does. If you
shoot yourself in the foot and wittingly install a rogue anti-malware program,
for example, MSE may not keep you from pulling the trigger. In desperate
situations, you may need a special-purpose program such as Malwarebytes to cleanse your system. But for everyday use, MSE works as well as any of the
big-name, expensive, constantly money-grubbing packages. Get rid of 'em. The only downside to installing MSE? You have to figure out how to completely
remove the antivirus program you have now. Good luck." If you need help removing your old expired antivirus program and downloading Microsoft Security Essentials, then bring your computer by my shop at 2315 Reidville Road and I'll do it for you - $25. |
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