Internet Security

[this4chris2012]

My security subscription expires mid-April. I want to change to something else.

Any suggestions on what brand is the best? It's to protect a single desktop computer, no tablet, no iPhone.

Do I have to uninstall the old before purchasing and downloading the new?

Can I purchse/download the new and just let the old expire mid-April? Or will having two different security systems running at the same time mess up my computer?

Thanks for any help.

[divwido]

I've used Norton, Kapersky and a couple more.  I think they are all junk.  I use one, but I don't trust it.

But then, I have skilled tech support at home.  I trust him.

[berserkerplanet]

Free Microsoft Security Essentials for XP, Vista, Win 7 (download from Microsoft )

Built in Windows Defender in Win 8 and Win 10.

Running multiple Antivirus/Malware programs can cause conflicts, and definitely higher resource (CPU and memory) usage. Better to uninstall the old one.

[d-k_treasures]

I'm partial to the free version of AVG. It never let me down yet.

[newnewnewmann]

---

@this4chris2012wrote:

My security subscription expires mid-April. I want to change to something else.

Any suggestions on what brand is the best? It's to protect a single desktop computer, no tablet, no iPhone.

Do I have to uninstall the old before purchasing and downloading the new?

Can I purchse/download the new and just let the old expire mid-April?

---

I don't know from whom or what you subscribe to, but there may or may not be conflicts with the new and old. You would know quickly if there are conflicts.

If you are talking security I do this;

Antivirus, malware protection, firewall, anti-tracking that blocks adware (there are 5 entities on this ebay page that are requesting to plant trackers and are blocked), a script blocker that's easy to turn on and off; scripts and PDF files are popular targets of hackers to plant viruses, as well as email links.

There are an abundant of sites that use tracking, and advertisers that track, including on ebay. These trackers follow you long after you leave the site that placed them on your computer. I also use a cleaner that cleans the cache and everything else during and after internet sessions.

I don't use data harvesting facebook, google, or any other similar nefarious site.

I never use wifi any more at home, just a plugged in line. When traveling and using wifi, I always utilize my VPN because it encrypts traffic and hides location. Usually at home I use VPN too.

It's amazing how many people use wifi without securing or securing their router because "wardrivers" abound. If you are on wifi, you are visible to anyone nearby.

Everything program I use is free except the VPN.

Hacking is prevalent because too many people abandon common sense when on the internet.