Is it safe to just install free antivirus programs on your computer?

I've had Norton and Macaffee (sp?) and also Verizon security suite which were all paid for. My problem with them was they would either not pick up viruses (I got a nasty e-mail virus with both Norton and Macaffee) or pick up false viruses. I have used Avast, which I had fewer problems with, however it did pick up a few false viruses. I am now using PC Tools, which I have yet to have any issues with. I've been using it about a month now. I also use Spybot search and destroy for spyware, and zone alarm for firewall. All are free programs. They all came recommended from a friend. My husband works with computers for a living, and he has these programs on his computer as well, so I must assume they are not all that bad.

Hi Dana I have had a free Antivirus on here for 6 years now and it has never let me down I have free Spyware on here These People say this because they want you to buy I do not like Avast the one I have is called Antivir and for 6 years now it has been protecting my Computer and still is I have had to uninstall it a couple of times and install it again because it played up a bit but once you have done that it works again 100% When I was looking at Laptops they where trying to tell me that free downloads are no good so I told them how long I had been using them and that there was never a Problem all they want is to make higher Sales and nothing else Hugs xxxxxxxxxx

I have always just used the free ones. Never have used Avast. Norton was on this computer when it was new, but I never saw as good results as with Spybot and Lavasoft

I actually had more problems with the paid antivirus programs than I did with the free programs. McCaffe antivirus worked fine for awhile and then it completely killed my computer. I couldn't get anything to work. I actually had to reformat the harddrive and start from scratch because it messed the whole system up to the point where I couldn't use the internet or anything. After that, I swore off McCaffe and started using Avast, and CCleaner. My computer works wonderfully now. It just sounds like he's trying to sell you something.

I've had nothing but problems with programs that I buy. I got avast and I've had nothing wrong with my computer. I don't think it's necessary to buy a program that doesn't work half as good as avast. There's no point to it.

dana I have AVG thatis free virus and have had it for bout a year. its fantastic and much better than Norton ever was. it deletes all virus at once and never leaves you standed. no it does not harm my machine at all. I like it better than Norton or Mcafee either one.

I have been using,fixing,rebuilding and installing software in computers for nearly 10 years now, and in all that time i have never had a computer come into my workshop, that was damaged by a free antivirus program, i have however had several computers come into my workshop with norton antivirus in them, be full of (undetected by norton)viruses, any tech who tells you that free download antivirus programs will damage your system is full of it,the only thing that will damage your system is viruses spyware adaware and malware, plus several other hardware faults and electrical faults,that can be fixed by a tech, i have bought programs from a computer shop that have done as much damage as a hacker can, i had a computer delivered to my workshop only yesterday, it had 245 virus's 692 adaware 865 spyware and 298 malware in it, and it had norton,spybot search and destroy and zone alarm installed. so i say dont listen to all the money hungry techs out there, learn from your own experiences, if a tech can talk you into spending more money on your computer, he will, because we have to make a living too lol.

I have used Norton for years as I thought it was always best to pay for an antivirus. I had problems with my computer a while ago. My computer technician advised me to get rid of Norton as Norton causes problems and advised me to get the free version of AVG. He said that is what he uses and he never has any problems. So, I did what he advised and I haven't had any problems since. If my computer technician uses it and advised me to use it...I wonder why your technician advised you not to?

Well, I normally rely on the review. It is understand that you trust "free" programs less - same here, to some extent. But I think avast should be fine. I use AVG personally. But one thing you must bear in mind, do NOT install and run more than one anti-virus program on your computer. There will be conflicts and you and your computer are the ones going to suffer. Spybot - that's for spyware. CCleaner - that's for possibly spyware but really just clearly junk. You need one more - firewall. Try e.g. zonealarm or comodo. Both are free. Cheers!

I dont think free softwares by any way can harm your system. it might as they might have failed to capture some virus and that virus has damaged your system.. but even with the paid softwares we cannot deny this possibility. Though i use the Kaspersky internet security, which is very cheap i dont mind installing some freeware like firewalls.

Hi Dana-I had to have my laptop recently fixed cos it was picking up viruses etc and I had the free antispyware AVG but when I got it back from the shop they told me that hackers,viruses etc are actually finding a way through the free editions of anti-spyware now and it would be better for me to pay for a an antivirus-of which i have-Kapersky-that works fine for me and run all the time to detect anything and then put it into the vault or delete it-my advice is to pay for an antivirus-littleowl

I have used those same free programs on my computer and had no problems. An expert told me that some free antivirus software was better than the ones you have to pay for, but you should only use the well known ones with a good reputation, like avast and AVG. Some unknown free antivirus sites could deliberately plant a virus onto your system so you will pay for their service to remove it.

Yep it is quite fine to install that free anti virus as they can also detect all the viruses but make it sure that it is updated.

I used to have avast on my other computer and that worked perfectly for me. :) I wouldn't trust just any free antivirus program though. I have norton now and it works just as good as avast.

On what basis did your technician say that free antivirus programs can damage the system in the long run? Maybe he knows something we don't. I have been using free programs like AVG, Spybot, Adaware and CCleaner for some time now, and I don't find my computers worse off than when I was using other paid programs. In fact, I feel they are good for my system because they help provide a better level of protection for my computers compared to the times when I didn't have them. Until I get confirmed evidences that such free programs can harm my computer, I will continue to place my trust on them.

Yeah i did installed the Free version of Avast into my computer sometimes ago but i installed it due to its inability to detect minor viruses. I believe what the technician try to tell you is that if you are using free AV software you might get viruses and Trojans pile into your PC left undetected. That's what happen to me before the avast didn't alert anything but after i installed kaspersky they are plenty of them hiding in the system 32 file. In my opinion Kaspersky AV is the best of all because from experience I've been using this for four years now and my computer live in peace without any threats. The best part of Kaspersky is the automatic detection mode where it detect viruses from any external device i.e. thumb drive when you are trying to transfer a file. And the database is frequently updated for to detect new viruses. Kaspersky is too good to be true compare to any AV software out there. And simple to use as well.

I personally use the free version of Zone Alarm Security Suite, which was highly recommended by my computer geek, oops! forgive me guru. He always has the best security set up to protect his computers. He has to have, he has his own online radio station. ZA has all the protection you will ever need.

There are a few (very few) free programs that will not harm your computer. Avast, Avira, AVG etc (most of them have paid versions also) as antiviruses, SPybot is most excelent for antispyware but about the antiviruses i must warn you that the free versions are often a lot weaker than the paid ones. I am not making commercial publicity but talking from experience. You know, the viruses can be there, but if they don't do anything that is easy visible and don't get caught by your (free) antivirus program, that does not mean they are not there. Personally i would recommend using F-Secure. I have been using it for 3 years now with no problems what so ever. It even secured me against the well known annoying SABUREX virus wich only Bitdefender, F-secure and Karperski were able to detect and block.

I would have to say they are useful but please, for the love of God, do NOT go with Norton when and if you decide to go with a paid program. Get Kaspersky, the best around. I've used Norton in the past and it just uses up system resources and misses things it shouldn't.

I have no idea why your tech would tell you that but I have used AVG and Avast without a problem for years. Avast is very good at updating its databse. In addition to that I have used Zone Alarm without a problem and every now and then I go to Kaspersky's online virus scanner. Norton never worked for me either. It seems that some people have excellent results with Norton and others, well, our computers get sick if we use it.