Looking for a new anti virus/internet security software

[Dukhat]

I just bought a new laptop at BestBuy, and was given a free copy of Webroot with my purchase, only to find out that the laptop already had a year of Norton built in. But the interesting thing about the Webroot is that you can install it on an Android phone or an iPad. I'm not sure why either one would need virus protection...

 

[rhubarbodendron]

there are unfortunately rather a lot of viruses nowadays that come piggyback on apps and in the background of internet connections. A good anti virus programme definitely makes sense on a smartphone.

I'm surprised that you have 2 anti virus programmes on your new laptop. Do you run both of them? Does Norton tolerate the other programme? (That'd be a new one. And very laudable!)

 

[Dukhat]

there are unfortunately rather a lot of viruses nowadays that come piggyback on apps and in the background of internet connections. A good anti virus programme definitely makes sense on a smartphone.

I'm surprised that you have 2 anti virus programmes on your new laptop. Do you run both of them? Does Norton tolerate the other programme? (That'd be a new one. And very laudable!)

Norton was already pre-installed. The Webroot was just given to me by the salesperson when I bought the laptop. I did not install it, since Norton was already on there.

 

[Owain Taggart]

They should be able to tolerate each other since Webroot Spysweeper is an anti-spyware program, not an anti-virus program. Typically, they would each have a different focus, as it's not very typical of an anti-virus program to search out spyware.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

Ah, thanks for explaining I was not familiar with webrroot, googled it and skimmed over the text rather quickly so that I didn't notice it was purely anti-spyware.
I solved the spying problem by locking all ports on my PC save for the ones I actively use. Any connections to the net require my explicit permission. I hate it when programmes "phone home" without asking me.
Still, installing an additional anti-spyware programme can't hurt. I think I'll give webroot a try

 

[Dukhat]

They should be able to tolerate each other since Webroot Spysweeper is an anti-spyware program, not an anti-virus program. Typically, they would each have a different focus, as it's not very typical of an anti-virus program to search out spyware.

The Webroot they gave me was not SpySweeper, but SecureAnywhere, which is an antivirus/antimalware program.

 

[Owain Taggart]

They should be able to tolerate each other since Webroot Spysweeper is an anti-spyware program, not an anti-virus program. Typically, they would each have a different focus, as it's not very typical of an anti-virus program to search out spyware.

The Webroot they gave me was not SpySweeper, but SecureAnywhere, which is an antivirus/antimalware program.

Oh, I see. Odd that they would give it to you then. The more common Webroot program is Spysweeper. Maybe they meant to give you that instead.

 

[Dukhat]

^Honestly, the salespeople probably had no idea what was actually already installed on the computer. It was pleasantly free of bloatware. I think they just give people a bunch of stuff to make them feel better about just having purchased a thousand-dollar laptop.

 

[rhubarbodendron]

1000 $ does indeed seem a little steep. Over here you get excellent ones around 700$

 

[Runetouch]

Take Avast. Have been using it since a long time, and never had any complaints with it.

 

[Amaris]

^Honestly, the salespeople probably had no idea what was actually already installed on the computer. It was pleasantly free of bloatware. I think they just give people a bunch of stuff to make them feel better about just having purchased a thousand-dollar laptop.

Yeah, that's 3 decent laptops you can get for the price of that one. Yikes!

 

[Dukhat]

^It was a high-end model for my audiobook narration recording. Plus, I can write it off

 

[Amaris]

^It was a high-end model for my audiobook narration recording. Plus, I can write it off

Well, that's good, but still, yikes!