AntiVirus Reports : The Ugly Side of Free Software

The Ugly Side of Free Software

The computer has become the datebook, the family album, the source of news and entertainment, and more importantly, the epicenter of one’s life with key financial, personal and treasured information all contained within the small confines of the computer’s memory chip. As disturbing as the image of a fire destroying a home filled with mementos that are impossible to replace, a virus can wipe out a computer’s system within seconds. All information, pictures and countless hours of hard work can disappear, unable to be recovered or restored. Identity theft is on the rise and can take years to recover. Hackers can easily access your computer through Trojan programs aimed at allowing these professionals a back door into your computer, and more importantly, your life. Spyware, although not as destructive, can be just as annoying. Installing programs and software can lead to hundreds of spam emails that render an inbox virtually useless. An email account held for several years can typically hold thirty to forty spam emails to every one legitimate email.

The average computer user is not usually skilled in discerning one program from the next, or more importantly between free programs offered on the internet or the more comprehensive all-in-one antivirus software programs that includes Trojan and Spyware protection. No one wants to spend money on what they believe a computer should already do or what they believe they can get for free. The free programs can come at an expensive cost to the user. They are not updated frequently and do not have mechanisms programmed in to run automatically based on the most up-to-date information and virus alerts. They are seldom all inclusive and can leave the user frustrated after hours of confusing steps with little to show for it. Buying a program developed for the average user with customer support that make a business out of protecting a computer is protection a consumer can afford. The fact of the matter is that companies across the country pay for these programs and do not rely on what they can download for no cost on the internet. Protecting their systems from a deadly virus or questionable programs and emails is well worth the money spent or money saved in costly recovery or restoration fees.

If you were to look at the old-saying, “You get what you pay for,” then where would that leave a user depending on a free program from the internet? The programs cost a few dollars in comparison to the cost of taking your computer in to have it serviced following infection by a virus. And it's certainly a lot cheaper than getting a new hard drive, in a worst-case scenario. Bottom line: If you're really concerned about being wise with your money, then invest in the full version of a good antivirus program.