Antivirus software: free vs subscription?

[Silver saucer]

My free subscription to McAfee ran out. It came with the computer. I can renew it for 25.00 but I've done nothing yet.
Which antivirus software do you guys like?
Are the basic free versions ok or do I need a paid subscription for better coverage?
I have no idea which one to get.
I mostly just play around with my computer. I'm not working from home or gaming or anything like that.
Thanks!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have used Eset for probably 15 or more years. Very happy. Not free.

Eset

 

[kdonnel]

I’ve only used what is built into Windows for the past 10 or more years.

 

[_19disnA]

Have been using McAfee (the paid version) for many years and been very satisfied. Have also used Norton and they are about the same. McAfee lets you download to all PC's in your household for no additional charge, so it's a good feature if you have multiple devices. They will periodically release updates as new viruses are discovered. Not sure any of the free versions do that. Anyone using the internet needs some sort of virus software since you just never know when someone sends you an email with a dubious attachment or you happen to stumble onto something when surfing the internet.

I use Adblock as free/shareware which isn't essential to using the internet. However, with something like virus software, you have no idea if some company offering it for free will even be around next year. I would only download software from known/reputable companies since there is a chance free online software could itself be some type of virus.

 

[sailorstitch]

I'm needing new virus software too....

 

[sam_gordon]

The IT folks I've talked to have said just use Windows Defender (comes with Windows).

 

[Aladora]

I have used Eset for probably 15 or more years. Very happy. Not free.

Eset

We own an IT company and most people in our field say "you get what you pay for when it comes to anti-virus."

We have used and recommended Eset for almost 20 years now and feel it is well worth the cost.

 

[BrianL]

There is no need for a home user to have paid-for antivirus anymore. They want you to think that, but you really don't. Windows Defender is very good these days - make sure it is on and running. If you want something else, AVG is free and works pretty well. I don't run that anymore myself, but will ocassionally scan with Malware Bytes, which is free. It just shouldn't be a big concern for most users.

 

[sam_gordon]

We own an IT company and most people in our field say "you get what you pay for when it comes to anti-virus."

We have used and recommended Eset for almost 20 years now and feel it is well worth the cost.

No offense, but I'm assuming you get some kind of commission for selling a product? Not to say the product doesn't work, but arguing the necessity of it.

Do you use Eset on your personal computer?

 

[Aladora]

No offense, but I'm assuming you get some kind of commission for selling a product? Not to say the product doesn't work, but arguing the necessity of it.

Do you use Eset on your personal computer?

We not only have it on all our computers here at home (I think there are 4 or 5 right now) but we installed it on my mother's 2 computers as well.

We have the ability to sell any number of anti-viruses but Eset is the only one we recommend. If a client wants something else, of course we will sell it to them (or install a free one) but we have done our research and Eset is one of the best out there. It is priced comparably to others and unlike some (I'm looking at YOU, Norton!), it is not a resource hog.

Edited to add:
Our company is an IT provider, we make our money on providing services. Trust me, the $3.00 we make on an annual subscription for Eset is not enough for us to force it on anyone!

 

[JimMIA]

I've used Malwarebytes Premium for years (at the suggestion of my computer guru) and have been very happy with it. I think it's $60 per year. There is a free version as well.

 

[Dan Murphy]

unlike some (I'm looking at YOU, Norton!), it is not a resource hog

This was the original reason I went with Eset, many years ago. Back then, maybe I had 640K memory, now 64 gig. Memory maybe not as much of a concern today, but I still really like it. On my desktop, laptop, phones and tablets.

 

[Communicore1991]

Windows Defender does the job just fine. Previously a user of Kaspersky and Symantec and they were not nearly as good as Windows Defender.

 

[Miffy]

I use Webroot, however when it comes time to renew, I buy it again instead of renewing since the renewal price is always far more than the cost of buying it anew on Amazon.

It does the job and doesn't slow my computer down.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I use Windows Defender. I also run the my user account as a Limited user who does not have administrator privileges which reduces the possibility of unwanted attacks on my computer.