Just because…

By | July 9, 2011
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Just because the company that made your computer installed McAfee or Norton on it, does not mean that McAfee or Norton are the best for your computer. It doesn’t mean they’re even good for your computer. It doesn’t mean anything at all.

Do you know why Dell, HP, and other computer companies install McAfee or Norton more than any other security software? No, it’s not because it’s the best. It’s not because it works well with your brand of computer. It’s not because it’s the easiest for you to use. It’s not because it keeps you safer. It’s not because of anything at all other than money. Computer manufacturers load your computer down with trialware hoping you will believe because they put it on your computer you’ll assume it’s good for your computer, you need it, or that you’ll think it’s the best software for whatever purpose it serves.

But nothing could be further from he truth. Like so many things in this world, it’s all about the money. You’d think when you buy a new computer they’d want that computer to run as well as it possibly could. However, loading up a new computer with all kinds of trialware only makes it run slower. When you add Norton or McAfee to the mix it’s a sure recipe for a slower computer.

In recent days we’ve had a couple of users who were getting warnings about a Trojan in a perfectly safe program we had recommended. It was a false positive. Both were using McAfee; it was yet another false-positive. All anti-virus programs will occasionally show false-positives, but none more than Norton and McAfee. Anyway, when we suggested to these users that they use a better (and free) antivirus, like Microsoft Security Essentials, both indicated they had an extended “free trial” of McAfee and wanted to use it.

So we asked them if they didn’t like watermelon and someone gave them a truckload free, would they take them because they were free. Just because you have a 15-month trial of McAfee or Norton does not mean you have to use it. You don’t have to put up with a slower computer, you don’t have to put up with so many false positives, and you don’t need to put up with all those “special sale” popups just because Norton or McAfee came pre-installed. Just because it’s “free” for six, twelve or fifteen months means nothing. If you care about a better running computer – if you care about keeping your computer running at its peak, if you care about your security and safety on the Web – don’t assume that what your computer manufacturer put on your computer is the best for your computer – or the best for you. It’s all about the money.

The first thing we do when we get a new computer is eliminate every single trialware program. We wouldn’t install Norton or McAfee on our own computers and we think it’s a shame that computer makers load new computers down with either one. There is no doubt it’s all about the money – and it’s not about you or your computer or your safety.

So, just because it came with your computer doesn’t mean it’s good for you or your computer.

8 thoughts on “Just because…

  1. madeline

    i have kaspersky and have received notice that it will expire in 77 days…is this a good anti virus to continue???

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      When you can get better security software free why would you pay for Kaspersky? There’s no sense paying for something if you can get better security software free. Kaspersky isn’t often very highly rated – it depends on whose test results you read. In any case, Kaspersky is a security suite. You’d be better off using Microsoft Security Essentials and SUPERAntiSpyware PRO. MSE is free and SUPERAntiSpyware is $24.95 (for two computers) and it’s a lifetime license and not an annual subscription. But even if you just used MSE (free) it’s antivirus and antispyware components are at least as good, if not better, than Kaspersky.

      Reply
  2. madeline

    on june 23, 2011 i received an ee mail regarding comcast security service announcement….i am so leary of opening anything like that and was wondering do you think it is really from them and should i open and follow thru with it?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      We cannot answer your questions since we don’t use Comcast and we don’t know how they normally communicate with their customers. It may well be legitimate – or it may be a hoax. It depends on the history you’ve had with Comcast. Is it addressed to you personally – or is it a generic “Dear valued customer”? If it’s the latter we’d be very suspicious.

      Reply
  3. Mike Scott

    Norton is a virus! How do I know? They kept on turning my anti-virus OFF and telling me…your anti-virus is turned off and you are at risk. I kept turning it back on but they were at it again. So I wrote to them and told them that my PC belongs to me NOT THEM so they can go and F*** THEMSELVES. I un-installed them and have never looked back.
    Yes all they want is your money, but they ain’t getting mine.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      We don’t think Norton is a virus – we think it’s about as aggravating as having a virus though. We don’t know any computer-savvy person who uses Norton or McAfee – and that should be a guide.

      Reply
  4. Harold

    THANK YOU THAT WAS GOOD ADVICE, i USE avg IT IS FREE AND i HAVE NO PROBLEM,S WITH IT, CAN YOU SUGGEST ANT GOOD FREE ANT ANY GOOD FREE ONES.
    wHEN i GOT MY pc IT CAME WITH mC aFEE BUT i WAS NOT TOLD IT WAS ONLY FOR 3 MONTHS THEN i HAD TO PAY WHEN MY TIME WAS UP OUT IT CAME AND IN WENT AVG.

    Reply
  5. Ken Roberts

    I have used Avast for at least three years with only one glitch and am well satisfied with it. I do currently have the super anti spy ware pro version and it works well, I am so glad I bought a life time version. Using just the Microsoft fire wall I feel very secure and have been virus free for a long time, Also have the malwarebytes free version as a second spy ware program. I will tell you to have an active shield is the way to go . and the pro versions have that . The free versions remove them after the fact the the pro versions stop them .

    Reply

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