Do you still buy annual renewable security/lifetime software, or rely on freeware?

[Evjl's Rain]

for security softwares, I just use freewares or giveaways
I don't want to spend any extra money for my laptop because there are always good free alternatives of paid softwares
rarely I can't find the alternatives

moreover, we rarely use all functions of the paid softwares so it's a waste I think

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

Hello, I use programs that are renewable every year and some freeware also, of course, i just have one-lifetime subscription and that is Dr. Web Security Space for my Android

 

[tim one]

for security softwares, I just use freewares or giveaways
I don't want to spend any extra money for my laptop because there are always good free alternatives of paid softwares
rarely I can't find the alternatives

moreover, we rarely use all functions of the paid softwares so it's a waste I think

Agree, BTW guys, you can have a good security config without spending a cent and without giveaway.
For example, Avast free hardened mode agressive+EEKit+ZAM free+Sandboxie+of course brain.exe and a little bit of knowledge.

 

[NikolayfromRussia]

Since I use internet I have purchased: ad mucher, IDM and PureVPN. I have never paid money for antivirus or other soft except the products mentioned above

 

[Evjl's Rain]

Agree, BTW guys, you can have a good security config without spending a cent and without giveaway.
For example, Avast free hardened mode agressive+EEKit+ZAM free+Sandboxie+of course brain.exe and a little bit of knowledge.

I agree for us it's much easier to use freewares but for novice/default-allow users, it's not easy to find the best for them
my parents don't know much about computer and they can't decide what do to with security prompts. I must install 100% automatic products with low FP rate for them. I use avast: max heuristics, HIPS = 2, HM = off + unchecky + BD trafficlight/avira browser safety. they have been happy for years without infections
we live in asia and for sure HM will block all of the softwares we use to manage our business. It's a pain to use HM for asian users like me

 

[KGBagent47]

for security softwares, I just use freewares or giveaways
I don't want to spend any extra money for my laptop because there are always good free alternatives of paid softwares
rarely I can't find the alternatives

moreover, we rarely use all functions of the paid softwares so it's a waste I think

I think you're correct, but some of us have to arrange Windows PC security for parents who don't even know how to connect an iPhone to the router, or a small business employee who employers hire an IT guy to reset the router password, (without ever asking me to do that, for FREE.)

At this point a paid AV like Bitdefender IS 2017 who makes all the decisions for those people becomes very attractive.

 

[motox781]

I try a lot of software. I must have too much free time on my hands ;P

Anyway, currently I'm liking Kaspersky Total Security. Couple things I like and use:

-GUI/settings is the best I've found
-Application Control - good stuff
-TAM
-Ad blocker - I'm finding it actually works pretty good (usually use Adguard installer or Ublock Origin)
-Software updater - finds all kinds of apps to update, not just main exploited ones (tip: have to change a setting for it to find more)
- Exploit protection, software cleaner, encryption containers (work simple and well).
...I could go on and on, but I'll leave it there.

2nd favorite subscription based AV would be Norton.

Favorite FREE AV would be Avast w/ Hardened Mode Aggressive.

 

[Parsh]

I try a lot of software. I must have too much free time on my hands ;P

Anyway, currently I'm liking Kaspersky Total Security. Couple things I like and use:
...
I could go on and on, but I'll leave it there.
2nd favorite subscription based AV would be Norton.
3rd favorite FREE AV would be Avast w/ Hardened Mode Aggressive.

Great!
But why leave Bitdefender in the dark?

 

[motox781]

Great!
But why leave Bitdefender in the dark?

I like Bitdefender. They need to work on their GUI. It's painful to navigate through.

They also need to implement more settings for more control. Nothing wrong with basic, but it's a little too simple.

Bitdefender free is very nice. I've used it recently on client PCs for a simple AV solution. Bitdefender also has an excellent online portal to manage devices too.

Customer support needs a bump again. I recently bought a 10 user license and it took 10 emails and 28 days to receive a refund.

 

[Parsh]

I like Bitdefender. They need to work on their GUI. It's painful to navigate through.

They also need to implement more settings for more control. Nothing wrong with basic, but it's a little too simple.

I could not less agree. I gave up my 3 month Multi-device license. Big issues!

1. The lack of decision power & interaction with the user
2. Lack of good configurations, it considers itself the demi-god
3. High false-positives. Especially after the added Anti-Ransomware module + AI
4. Heaviness on average systems
5. WIFi blocking (stealth mode) and FW bugs

Otherwise, I would say that its protection makes it the King of all 'AV's ..

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

I will seek out Lifetime purchases, if none are available I will
use the next best that offers lifetime licensing.
I am not a monthly subscriber of anything, and it
irks me having to even purchase yearly, but I will
if I have to.

 

[SHvFl]

Don't do lifetime except if the price is stupid(max 10$) and it's one of the apps i don't get mad with weekly. Rest it's either freeware, beta(basically free) or yearly if the price is right.
I will not do overpaid software even to save my life.

 

[Venustus]

I could not less agree. I gave up my 3 month Multi-device license. Big issues!

1. The lack of decision power & interaction with the user
2. Lack of good configurations, it considers itself the demi-god
3. High false-positives. Especially after the added Anti-Ransomware module + AI
4. Heaviness on average systems
5. WIFi blocking (stealth mode) and FW bugs

Otherwise, I would say that its protection makes it the King of all 'AV's ..

They have a great AV engine but I found it heavy and buggy on my system!
Shame really!!

 

[Duotone]

Security softwares;
FREEWARE/GIVEAWAYS as much as possible...
LIFETIME license if its a good investment...
BETA when available...

Annually/Yearly why would I?! There a better alternative out there...

 

[Parsh]

They have a great AV engine but I found it heavy and buggy on my system!
Shame really!!

If it had

1. user decisions on detection
2. lesser load

then many people will go with it in the first place. That would have compensated the false positives and lack of configurations too.
And I would purchase its Lifetime License for sure :-D

 

[shukla44]

Freeware & Giveaways are my first choice. Beta for the softwares, whose free alternatives are not good enough & i like the software enough to wreck my brain with the beta bugs.
I bought one lifetime license in my lifetime that is IDM. No free alternative even comes close to this program.

Yearly, Uh, only one software comes to mind, Kaspersky Total Security. That's it.

Regards.

 

[CMLew]

Buying annual subscription more of supporting their development of the product. If everyone opt for freeware, then who's gonna to compensate the developer. Put that in your shoes. If you develop a software with blood and sweat and everyone complain they want for free, how would you feel? Unless, the fee is so exorbitantly high that it cost hundreds/yr; then that would be different case.

 

[shukla44]

I agree. But the developer also has to understand that the software market is very competitive. Almost every paid software have freeware alternatives & some are even better than the paid ones.

Nobody (at least, not me) is asking developer for free versions, If developer is already giving his/her software for free.
In cases of support, there's always donations (if you can, of course).

 

[In2an3_PpG]

I use a mix of paid software and freeware.

Paid:
EIS
Hitmanpro.Alert

Free:
Voodooshield

 

[Parsh]

I use a mix of paid software and freeware.
Paid:
EIS
Hitmanpro.Alert
Free:
Voodooshield

You need nothing more man! After HMPA, you probably need no antimalware. Still, it will be the only point of challenge for behavioral. As far as I know, it's good.