Free AVG or PC-Cillin 2002?

[ajbrun]

I've just read the thread "what anti virus do you use?", and I was supprised about how many people use free anti viruses. I'd always thought that free stuff wasn't as good as paid stuff. I know you don't get any customer service (which I'm not too bothered about), but should I get free AVG?

I currently have PC-Cillin 2002 installed, but have a little problem with it. Firstly, pop3mail.exe (i think it's called that) keeps slowing my computer - even when I turn it off. Also, I'm not sure if it updates correctly, it being 2002 and not 2004 .

So, is getting free AVG a good idea, and what's the difference between that and AVG 7 (paid)?

Thanks

[0iD]

AVG is, in my opinion a very good AV. The main diff between the two, as far as I can tell is you get more functionality with the paid-for version. Having said that the free version does a sterling job.

[[GSV]Trig]

I had Norton 2003, big nice full paid for retail package, had it on the system until I got Norton 2004, again big paid for retail box, machine went a bit poo so took Norton off put AVG on and found a few viruses that Norton had missed..

AVG's free less system intense and better than Norton...

[ajbrun]

So, if I ditch Pc-Cillin, since that's got a firewall on it, will windows SP2 firewall do?

[[GSV]Trig]

Yup

[daniel_owen_uk]

Will do......not a very good job

Ditch Pc-cillin, get avg and zone alarm (btw if you are gonna say "ahh not za" then please recommend a differnt one ).

[muddyfox470]

i used pc cillin when it came with my mobo, it did an admiral job, but avg was ok, as it was free but rather simple and not much it can do

i got norton and i have yet to find fault with it!

yeah zonealarm is mint! haven't not used it since 3 years! > can get in the way from time to time, but easy to tweak

just have a mess around with av software, and find the right one for you, just remember paid for ones are gonna be better than free ones! (i.e. better paying £30 for norton, than getting avg or pay for avg!)

[ajbrun]

So, do you think I should get rid of PC-Cillin, and buy something that has anti virus and firewall in one? Like PC-Cillin, just better?

[cpemma]

http://www.hackfix.org/miscfix/icons-av-A_M.shtml has some independent (?) tests on several AV programs, AVG doesn't do so well.

I've used Norton for many years without problem, the definitions are the same whatever version you're using, so there's no need to upgrade (re-licencing every year is a lot cheaper).

You can cut down on the NAV system hogging by only checking email & downloads once you know your system is clean.