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

[In2an3_PpG]

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.

I mainly use EIS for the family. Cant trust them fully yet.

 

[Deleted member 2913]

Its been around 14 years since I started using internet And never ever purchased any security software, etc...
I have quite a few licenses, lifetime licenses, etc... And all are from giveaways, beta tests, software Devs, friends, etc...

When I started using internet, had zero knowledge & didn't purchased anything.
When I try or do anything, I try to understand & learn about it & like to learn interesting stuffs or stuffs that got my attention.
Over the time, I googled, joined forums, etc... And learned stuffs & always tried to increase my knowledge.
And the time came when I thought I know stuffs now & so started experimenting & doing things, etc...

During all these years, learning, trying, experimenting, etc... I think there are ample of good free software, equivalent to paid software, better than paid software, etc... And not necessary to buy one.

Supporting, donating is on you.

 

[shmu26]

another way to get software is to participate in beta testing and then ask the dev to be a nice guy and give you a license...

 

[Parsh]

another way to get software is to participate in beta testing and then ask the dev to be a nice guy and give you a license...

Have seen some folks here who have had luck with that :-D

 

[ant_gamal]

Lifetime for spyshalter firewall and sandiebox
2 years offer eset smart security ends soon but I will not renew

May see giveaways

 

[Sr. Normal 2.0]

I have been living for a couple of years on giveaways and the generosity of my loved ones.
After reading this I feel sorry/shame for myself

 

[tonibalas]

When i started using the internet friends who knew more then me suggested to use freeware or cracked software.
Crack of course was already tested by them and it was safe.
But after a while i wanted to experiment with security software and i discovered trials, extended trials and giveaways.
These days i use free staff, software from giveaways and i also enjoy the generosity of some friends

 

[aragornnnn]

Alot of the software i use is subscription based, but whenever i get the change to get a lifetime license
i dont have to think twice

 

[Paul123]

I'd say I usually start with a giveaway, but then if I like it I will continue with a subscription when it runs out. They get you hooked, then they reel you in.....

 

[Paul123]

Crack of course was already tested by them and it was safe.

From my experience cracked is never safe. If they have the ability to crack software, they have the ability to add trojans. The amount of times Ive had to fix friends laptops who installed cracked software is too numerous, and of course they didn't make a backup (or even the restore disks that came with the computer)

 

[NikolayfromRussia]

From my experience cracked is never safe. If they have the ability to crack software, they have the ability to add trojans.

Last time I used cracked/patched programs about 5 years ago. I don't want install any cracked programs so I try to find serials. The same for keygens..... I run keygens in Vmware to get a key and then copy it to activate a program.

 

[Aura]

Getting them for free because I'm a cool kid (not pirated, obviously).

 

[Deleted member 2913]

another way to get software is to participate in beta testing and then ask the dev to be a nice guy and give you a license...

VoodooShield Dev asked me if I could help with VS Challenge on MalwareTips. I agreed & later Umbra joined. Later Dev gave us license And we both are proud owner of VS Lifetime License

 

[Svoll]

I purchase lifetime license if there is an option for it and if I really like the program. Shadow Defender, Windscribe, Process Lasso, and spyshelter are the fews I have purchased a lifetime license after testing them for the duration of their trials. I feel this allows me the option of mixing and matching if I am switching software or OSes. Anyone read @_CyberGhosT_ security configs? after reading his thread, its shows a lot of flexibility on what you can do without worrying about your license running out.

 

[Deleted member 2913]

Last time I used cracked/patched programs about 5 years ago. I don't want install any cracked programs so I try to find serials. The same for keygens..... I run keygens in Vmware to get a key and then copy it to activate a program.

I too have done the above for 1 or 2 programs.

 

[DJ Panda]

I managed to win 3 lifetime liscenses of MBAM (Not here) I also won Zemana Anti-Logger which I used in protecting my device for awhile. Now I rely on Avast Free (Freeware??)

 

[Parsh]

I managed to win 3 lifetime liscenses of MBAM (Not here) I also won Zemana Anti-Logger which I used in protecting my device for awhile. Now I rely on Avast Free (Freeware??)

Damn nice!
I would call getting Zemana a thing. MBAM is overhyped as an anti-malware. It's more of an anti-adware, anti-spyware kind of PUP detector.

Using Avast with hardened mode?

 

[DJ Panda]

Damn nice!
I would call getting Zemana a thing. MBAM is overhyped as an anti-malware. It's more of an anti-adware, anti-spyware kind of PUP detector.

Using Avast with hardened mode?

Yep using Avast Hardened mode. Have been a proud user of Avast for about 10 years. Only times I got infected were when I had the arrogance of pirating software.

 

[Quassar]

I more like Lifetime licence...
Casue if you use older pc you can still use software with license.

I have lifetime lic for:
ZemanaAM & ZemanaAL , ShadowDefender Exe Radar Pro, DefenseWall,
AppGuard, Sandboxie, Adguard, Outpost Pro Firewall, SpyShelterFW and few other yet security programs.

If all will good so far i will use it yet whole copule years yet

 

[Paul123]

Last time I used cracked/patched programs about 5 years ago. I don't want install any cracked programs so I try to find serials. The same for keygens..... I run keygens in Vmware to get a key and then copy it to activate a program.

I must admit a couple of times Ive needed a program to do something just once, which I'll never need again and the trial version has had that functionality disabled, and done what you said using a VM and keygen.