Free antivirus software really isn’t free
The lure of free antivirus software is powerful. Many companies, such as Norton and McAfee, offer free versions of their professional products, but AVG was the first to offer a free version of its software over 10 years ago. Software can be free indefinitely or free for a trial period only, which typically lasts from 14 to 30 days. These free versions are generally stripped down and limited in features and options. For 14-day or 30-day trial software, you have access to all options and features for the duration of the trial. After that, the software degrades.
Free antivirus software seems like a real bargain. In fact, I’m willing to bet that many of you are using it right now. However, it is recommended that you switch to a paid version. There is a hidden cost in using such software. Before we examine the hidden cost, I am going to list the features that are commonly reserved for paying customers:
- Link Check
- email protection
- personal data protection
- Automatic and frequent updates
- Full and timely technical support
- Automatic threat analysis
- Automatic removable storage scan
The above list is a compound list. I looked at many of the major antivirus software manufacturers’ websites to come up with that list, so keep in mind that your choices may vary. Now, let’s examine the list in detail.
Link Check
Professional antivirus software interrogates every web page before it loads in your browser. If it discovers a suspicious code, it stops the opening of the page. The free versions often leave you to yourself.
email protection
Link verification is also done in your inbox. Links in emails are scanned for malicious content, and built-in email rules prevent virii from reaching your inbox. The free versions do not provide full email protection, which could leave a hole in your protection.
Personal data protection
Cyber criminals make money by stealing and selling your personal data. Many free antivirus programs will only provide limited protection, while the pro versions give users proactive protection by blocking unauthorized external connections to your computer.
Automatic and frequent updates
Pro versions of antivirus software update multiple times a day, even once (or more) an hour. The free versions either require you to update manually or update automatically but infrequently. It’s less protected that way and the downloads are quite large, leading to long waits.
timely technical support
The Pro versions offer you phone support, or at least an email response that is measured in hours, not days. If you are using the free version, you will still receive support. Just not right away, and you may need to visit a forum to get answers.
Automatic threat analysis
Antivirus software should stay in the background and watch over your shoulder while you work, like a bodyguard. Just as a bodyguard will spring into action before you even realize there’s danger, your antivirus software should neutralize threats as soon as they’re found. The free versions require you to manually start the scans; it is not constantly protected.
Automatic removable storage scan
Attacks can come from anywhere. Flash drives are those little dongles that have taken the place of 3.5″ floppy disks and are used to transport data from one computer to another. Pro versions of antivirus software will start scanning as soon as a flash drive is inserted into the computer checking for any harmful software and stopping it dead in its tracks free versions require you to manually scan the flash drive if you forget to manually start a scan your computer could become infected
Free antivirus software has a hidden cost and is expensive once you add it. First, many of the free versions are simply not as robust or feature-rich as the professional versions, leaving you without complete protection. Second, you have to spend a lot more time on the free versions, doing things like:
- Manual scanning for threats while you work on the web around the clock
- Remember to update the database several times, daily
- Searching for your own responses or waiting for email responses while malware is infecting your computer
- Scanning those portable flash drives that may also carry harmful code
Forgetting to do any of the above tasks could potentially leave you open and vulnerable to attack. It is recommended that you switch to a paid version of antivirus software to protect yourself and your sensitive data from online threats.