<p>When we got the computer, the guys at the store recommended installing the Norton Anti-Virus package and the Webroot Spy Sweeper. Evidently at that time the two products provided distinct (if somewhat overlapping) services and together provided better protection than just one alone. So every year we have just gone ahead and renewed both of them.</p>
<p>Last year by accident, the Webroot Spy Sweeper was renewed twice because it had been set for automatic renewal and someone also renewed it manually. So we are tied to that service until late January 2012.</p>
<p>From the information on the update websites, it looks to me like both of these companies now offer a complete package that covers the services that those long ago computer guys told us we needed. Would it be OK for me to ditch Norton and just upgrade the Webroot Spy Sweeper? It looks like I can do that for about $10. Renewing the Norton Anti-Virus only is now $45 Norton also offers an expanded product that looks like it would include what the Spy Sweeper has been doing for us, for about $50.</p>
<p>We are all clueless about this. Please advise!</p>
<p>I use AVG antivirus (free). Recommended by my “tech guy.” Every so often it asks me if I want to “upgrade” to the non-free version… my tech guy says not necessary.</p>
<p>Another thing to check - depending on where you get your internet from, you might be able to get free antivirus from there. For example, I think Cox subscriptions include free Norton.</p>
<p>I have used AVG too. Currently I have Sophos.</p>
<p>I didn’t like what I read in reviews about AVG, so I stuck with BitDefender. Not a free program but typically costs less than Norton. It is very effective and I like the way it works. Lately BitDefender has been adding a free year to the renewals. Therefore, for the price of a 1-year subscription to BitDefender Internet Security 2011, they throw in an extra 12 months for free, for a total of 24 months anti-virus subscription.</p>
<p>I’ve been using the free Microsoft Security Essentials for quite some time now and so far, so good. I’m pretty careful online and don’t open links or files that I’m not sure about, and I haven’t had any problems with viruses or spyware.</p>
<p>We use the free (licensed) Norton/McAfee that my D’s school makes available to students and families. In fact, it’s a requirement they told us about in an orientation session that any and all computers the student may use to access the school’s website must have a current version of anti-virus software…so they recommended that we just install theirs on any home computers. I appreciate the $60 annual savings for the 3 computers we have at home! </p>
<p>They also offer other software for free so that the students can keep their computers up to date or grab whatever software they need for specific courses. It doesn’t appear to have any restrictions on how many times the student downloads it, although they must login and enter their id numbers.</p>
<p>I’ve used Norton for years and never got a virus. I tried the free programs, Avast and AVG, and got difficult to eradicate viruses. For me, it’s worth the money for Norton.</p>