Free security solution for dummies?

[Junglist]

Hi,

I currently have Kaspersky Internet Security 2016 with an expired licence and am considering the free alternatives. My decision on whether or not to buy another Kaspersky licence really depends on if I can understand what I need to protect myself against and how to do it. Below is a list of security software that I currently use:

Kaspersky Internet Security
Malwarebytes (free)
Spybot (free)
Firefox (Adblock Plus, NoScript)

Am I able to achieve the same (or better) levels of security entirely from free software? Below is a list of free software I am looking into. Have I included the relevant things?

Avast
Malwarebytes
Spybot
Comodo Firewall
SUMo
Firefox (Adblock Plus, Noscript)

Any info on how best to configure the above is appreciated.

Also, Kaspersky comes with an on-screen keyboard that I use for passwords. Windows also appears to have one of its own. Is there any difference in the way these function? If you can limit the acronyms and abbreviations in your response it will be much appreciated.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Loose KIS with an expired licence, that does nothing now!
If you like Kaspersky they have a basic free solution now: https://www.kaspersky.com/free-antivirus
IMO free for dummies is Bitdefender Free: Bitdefender Toolbox - Your Essential Free Antivirus Tools
I installed Bitdefender Free on the laptop of my mother in law (no complaints).
Avast free is also great , but not completely for dummies.
Malwarebytes and Spybot are not the best tools in their class at the moment.
For second opinion you can think about HitmanPro and/or Zemana AntiMalware.
Comodo firewall is great but complicated. Look for @cruelsister 's settings.

 

[Venustus]

If you have been happy with Kaspersky I would stick with it!
If yo want a free alternative I would personally go for Avast.

 

[bribon77]

It's all up to you, Protected, There are people who go without antivirus, because they know what they do, it's all question of each, Now you raise two alternatives, Avast or kis, Well one is payment the other not, but protected if is with avast many colleagues here in MT have Avast and they go well, What I do not see is what Spybot is not worth is better Zemana for scans

 

[shmu26]

Kaspersky Internet Security does the job.
Go on Ebay and buy a new licence for $5-$7. You can buy a license for last year's version, and it will still work for the new version, which is 2018

 

[Bleak]

Avast free with Hardened mode ON is good for, however I wouldn't recommend Comodo firewall as it's not suited at all for basic users. I'd also recommend setting scheduled scans with an on-demand scanner every day or on startup of each boot.

 

[amico81]

bitdefender free and sometimes a second opinion scan with zemana/hitmanpro

 

[Junglist]

Thanks for the replies.

I have found a legit retailer selling 2016 and 2017 versions of security suites. Presumably these will still function in the expected way? Would I be able to use a licence from 2017 software on the 2018 version?

 

[insanity]

I have found a legit retailer selling 2016 and 2017 versions of security suites. Presumably these will still function in the expected way? Would I be able to use a licence from 2017 software on the 2018 version?

Normally Kaspersky keys work until the next 2 versions. Therefore, a 2017 key activates Kaspersky 2017/2018/2019 for example. But only for the same suite (eg. KIS 2017 key activates KIS 2018, but not KTS 2018). You may want to read this:

How to migrate to a different Kaspersky Lab product