NEVER do business with Bestbuy Again

[JasonPratt]

I would vote against AVG free, I am sorry.

I have had it miss malicious software on several occasions now and I just don't trust it anymore.
If you want a free alternative, you could go for Avast!, which is a decent anti-virus, but is known to cause some minor problems while gaming with certain games (mainly MMO's). Another good option is Microsoft's own Security Essentials.

Personally, my biggest problem with Avast was how it nagged me to upgrade to a paid version 20-30 times a day (and no, that's not hyperbole).  I agree it's effective, though.

I've used Avastfree for years going back to WinXPSP2, and never had that problem with it, even once.  ???

However, when I got THE PRESENCE and upgraded to Win8, Avast had some issues running Win8 (which was relatively new at the time) so I uninstalled it and stuck with Windows Defender. So they may have changed to pesterware now for all I know. This does remind me I want to check it out again someday. It upgraded for my old XP rig when I brought it out to play with the nieces a few weekends ago, and ran smooth as butter just like always.

[JasonPratt]

New computer smell?  Step 1 -> Uninstall Norton and any other bloatware it came with.  Hell, format the the thing and install a fresh copy of vanilla Windows if you can get your paws on the same Windows OEM version.  ;)

Or step 0, buy it from a high-rep designer who doesn't shave price by including paid bloatware (if like me you don't want to go through the bother of whiteboxing from scratch -- though parts from Newegg et al, as you suggest, are by far the most cost-efficient-performance way to go).

Paid bloatware and shoddy assembly and dodgy system architecture are big reasons why some computers are so 'affordable'. Not only do we get what we pay for, we sometimes get a lot of what we didn't want (or weren't able to) pay for.

[JasonPratt]

This reminds me incidentally that it's probably time to look into getting a registry cleaner.

[eyebiter]

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[Con]

It is interesting on all the takes of internet security software....seems like they all have strengths and weaknesses.

I know people always say Norton is the devil, but I have been using some form of it for likely over 10 years without a single issue.  Never have been infected with any virus or compromised to the best of my knowledge.  Haven't really had any issues with games and web sites, except for the occasional false positive (rare) which I am sure all software encounter to some degree.  As best as I can recall, Norton has never interfered or prevented me from playing any of my games.

In the last couple of years, I have also installed Malwarebytes for added protection and with both of them combined, I feel pretty safe and have no concerns with screwing up my gaming.

But again, I believe it comes down to personal preference and I am sure the others are just as good.

As for Best Buy, I haven't had any issues from them, but I don't buy any computers from them, I build my own.  Typically my purchases are limited to movies, TVs, phones, and other small items.  I do see them going away at some point, just too hard too compete with the online retailers....but I did use to find it fun just to browse around.

GR....+1.  I've used Norton for many years and have had no issues and no virus problems, etc.  It hasn't been a problem with gaming either.

I am fine with Norton also...never had a virus problem and its caught some doozies.  The only thing I had to learn was how to open quarantined programs that it had detected as heuristic viruses (for some reason every battlefront game comes up as one of these) and manually allow Norton on my computer to allow them to run.  Took 5 mins of googling to learn how to do this and less than 1 min to implement.

Con

[sandman2575]

I'm always divided on what the best approach to AV is.  So many folks report that free AV like Avast is great.  I've used Kasperksy for the last 7 years, and it also has worked great -- but definitely not free!  So I'm always left wondering, "Should I continue to pay or just go the free route?"   Then I just wind up renewing my Kaspersky subscription, figuring "well, expensive, but peace of mind and all that".   And then I second guess the decision...   :)

[Martok]

sandman, I'd say your situation is a textbook example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  ;)  If it's been working for you, I'd keep on as you are. 

[sandman2575]

Yeah, I think you're right, Martok.  I actually just checked my Kaspersky license and see I have 37 Days remaining... and I'm sure I'll just re-up for another year or two.  There are cheaper options -- and the ever-tantalizing freebies as well --  but I've found it a very good service.

[Yskonyn]

It's a fact that the free versions of any AV suite have less features than their paid version.
Mostly in terms of deep system scans for the AV and all kinds of spyware / malware protections and internet security which the free versions often lack. They're mostly bare-bones AV software and I would advise you to run anti-malware software in conjunction like the earlier mentioned Malwarebytes.

People often call Norton the devil's software, but I find that to be another common internet rant. People need to read up on how to configure their software. Almost every AV triggers some false positives, you just need to know how to configure the whitelist properly.
Its much like the neverending AMD vs Intel debate.

Norton being just mediocre in terms of security as mentioned before is pretty dependent on which source you take. All articles I can find on the internet place it in the top layer of recommended AV software.

Which comes back to the point made a little while ago;
If it works for you and you have a good feeling about it, use the software that you currently use. If not, shop around.
I would rather go for a paid version of a security suite over a free version, though.

[Grim.Reaper]

If it works for you and you have a good feeling about it, use the software that you currently use. If not, shop around.

This about sums it up.....most of the notable and reputable software handle the basics with each having its own strengths and weaknesses, its just a matter of what your personally comfortable with using.  No reason to change if working for your personal needs.  Although curiosity always gets the best of us when we always think something better is out there:)

[Nefaro]

It's a fact that the free versions of any AV suite have less features than their paid version.
Mostly in terms of deep system scans for the AV and all kinds of spyware / malware protections and internet security which the free versions often lack. They're mostly bare-bones AV software and I would advise you to run anti-malware software in conjunction like the earlier mentioned Malwarebytes.

I've had little to worry about using Avast along with the 'No Script' add-on for Firefox with cookies set to be deleted on exit.  The prior has Deep Scan, Pre-Boot Scans, Browser & website monitoring and all that stuff even in the Free version while the latter tends to block or delete all the spyware from the 'net.  The No Script add-on takes a little extra work whitelisting stuff on every new website you visit but it's just a right-click away so not a big hassle.  It helps keeps much of the extra spyware and tracking from ever starting in the first place.

Pretty sure numerous freebie AVs also eliminate spyware these days, too. 

People often call Norton the devil's software, but I find that to be another common internet rant. People need to read up on how to configure their software. Almost every AV triggers some false positives, you just need to know how to configure the whitelist properly.
Its much like the neverending AMD vs Intel debate.

Norton being just mediocre in terms of security as mentioned before is pretty dependent on which source you take. All articles I can find on the internet place it in the top layer of recommended AV software.

Norton not only has a bad reputation for excessive false positives, it's also had a couple other issues in the past.  One is being a resource hog.  Another has been their interface and the excessive need to dig into it for all the whitelisting.  Most AVs include their own stock whitelists of legitimate programs & games that is constantly updated, but Norton doesn't do very well at this. 

I have also ran into issues trying to uninstall it in the past.  Little else will piss people off more than when a company actively tries to make it difficult to uninstall it's software from your computer.  I think they stopped doing that awhile back but that was the end of my tolerance for Norton.  I just can't recommend Norton over others from the experiences I've had repairing PCs.

[Jarhead0331]

It's well and good that you guys want to argue over anti virus software, and I will permit it to continue so long as nobody forgets that it is Bestbuy who is the true great satan and who through black magic, is forcing you to argue about something else.

[Nefaro]

I once read someone referring to Best Buy employees as "Cat Turds".  I still don't understand the reference but I will never forget it.  :D

[Yskonyn]

Ha!

Well as far as buying PC's go;
I never have and never will be buying my PC -or components- from something like a BestBuy.
I hand pick my components and build a PC myself. No bloatware, just lean and mean like I want it to be. Its not hard either. As mentioned earlier, if you don't know how to build a PC, there are lots of guides available on the internet.
Then check out some of the reputable sites which run articles like 'best buy of the month xxx' regarding hardware and you will quickly have a great shopping list.

Compaq/Dell, Samsung, HP, Packard Bell... you name it; all PC's filled with bloatware and often assembled so poorly in that you will have no room for expanding the system if you want.
Nah.. PC's are a fine example of; If you want it done correctly, you need to do it yourself. :P

[Martok]

It's well and good that you guys want to argue over anti virus software, and I will permit it to continue so long as nobody forgets that it is Bestbuy who is the true great satan and who through black magic, is forcing you to argue about something else.

LOL.  I shan't forget, good sir, I promise. 

I don't think I've ever purchased a single computer component from Best Buy, unless you count a headset (and that was only an "emergency" situation ::) ).