Free Antivirus Catastrophe

Staff Article

The Internet is a spawning ground for free software.  In some cases, this free software blitz is harmless.  But usually if you subscribe to anything free, it could mean you'll wind up spending countless hours fighting spyware or trying to do a system restore on your PC.  You expect this from certain sites.  Yet, when it comes to free antivirus software or free firewall programs, you expect a higher caliber of download.

Nothing could be further than the truth.  There are programs out there that promise to be free, yet slip in their own spyware.  There are programs that promise to keep your system clear of viruses while providing free access to updates, Email scanners and other tools.  It's been my unfortunate experience that these programs DO indeed work.....sometimes.  And if sometimes is good enough for you, then I highly recommend you download the latest version of your favorite free antivirus immediately.

Since I had been an advocate of free or cheaper software for years, you can image how surprised I was when I uninstalled my free antivirus software and replaced it with Norton Antivirus.  I used the Live Update feature and began scanning my system before going to bed.  Eight hours later, the commercial-grade Norton Antivirus was about halfway through it's scan process and had already uncovered nearly eighty viruses in my system.  Ultimately, I ended up with one hundred and twenty seven viruses!  I was shocked....horrified.  I mean, I HAD been using antivirus software--free software, but at least I was using something.  Trojans, worms, spyware--my beloved PC was a whorehouse of diseased code.  I felt used and dirty.

What I'm trying to say is this:  Run, don't walk to your nearest computer software retailer and get yourself a copy of Norton Antivirus or any other commercial-grade product.  If you value your data and want to be a good Internet citizen, use the commercial software to rid your PC of the swirling mass of viruses growing inside.