Free PC Security: The Truth About Security Software
April 3, 2009

It's safe to assume that almost every computer in existence today is hooked up to the Internet, and that means the hackers and malware writers have a larger target to attack.

It's extremely important to protect your system with security software that's capable of keeping out the viruses, Trojans and worms that are out there waiting to infect your computer and those that are connected to it.

There are both paid and free security software programs out there, but it's not like the paid ones are superior to the ones that come at no charge.

However, there are certain things that you need to know when you're looking for a good security suite or program:

* Paid antivirus software comes with a host of advantages including the facts that they’re constantly updated, they cover all known viruses and that they usually come with an entire suite of programs like antispyware and firewalls which are necessary when more than one person uses your computer.

* Some disadvantages of paid security software program are that they’re too bloated, take up too many of your system resources and hence slow it down, and some of them are really difficult to uninstall when you find that you’re not satisfied with them.

* If you’re downloading a free program from the Internet, you need to ensure that the software features frequent updates and offers protection against all major virus threats.

* Most free security programs offer only antivirus solutions, so you’ll have to look for free antispyware programs and firewalls as well, software that will protect you from hackers and the irritation of numerous pop-ups.

* Before you install a new antivirus package, ensure that you uninstall the one that’s already on your system. This is one instance where too much protection is not a good thing because one program could interfere with the way the other runs and your computer may be at risk because of this.

* If you have sensitive data that needs protection and if you (or others who use the computer) tend to visit sites that are dicey in reputation, it’s best you upgrade to a paid security suite.

* Some paid versions are available for free during a 30-day (or more) trial period. So you can test them out before you decide whether you want to pay for them or not.

* Most computers come bundled with trial versions of some security suite. You can either upgrade when the trial period is over or switch to a security program of your choice.

I recently switched from a paid solution to a free one, and frankly, I see no difference between the two. In fact, I prefer the free version because it’s easier to manage and runs unobtrusively in the background. The decision is up to you; all you have to do is ensure that you make an informed choice.

This post was contributed by Courtney Phillips, who writes about careers in Criminal Justice. She welcomes your feedback at CourtneyPhillips80 at gmail.com
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