There are a lot of considerations to be made when choosing the right products to protect your computer.

So how do you choose? When you bought your new laptop or desktop, it likely came with a security suite pre-loaded. If that software is enough, how is it that a user still gets infected? Your internet provider most likely also offers some form of security. With that going in your favor, why are you still at risk?

Marketing

How do manufacturers like Acer, Toshiba, Dell, etc. choose the software they pre-load on the new computers they ship? It’s simple really. They have elaborate financial relationships with the developer. These are multi-million dollar business deals that have nothing at all do with the software itself.

Have you ever wandered down the software aisle at a big box store or electronics retailer? If so, you’ve seen rows and rows of beautiful boxes and plastic clamshell cases. All of this packaging have two things in common: It’s expensive. You pay for it.

Remember the important rule when choosing security software – Pretty boxes don’t protect computers. Only good software protects computers.

Price

Speaking of paying for things like pretty boxes, NASCAR sponsorship, and promotions with rock stars (all strategies that developers continue to try), consider the price of the software you are purchasing and how much it costs to renew. It’s better to choose software from developers who put technology first and keep overhead and lavish expenses low. You benefit from having cost-effective solutions that actually work at a price you can afford!

There are many good products that can be had for free. When choosing to use a free product, look at the features and technology. It’s understandable to sacrifice some features in a free product. But the heart of the software and its ability to do its job should still be top-notch, and there are free products that understand this important consideration.

Licensing

Read the fine print. Are you purchasing a renewable license or a one-time fee lifetime license? Many people choose to purchase renewable licenses. But are you purchasing software that auto-renews and requires you to opt-out of renewals? Will you be surprised to see a bill on your credit card in 12 months indicating that you’ve been automatically renewed? This simply isn’t a good business practice from the customer’s perspective. The choice to renew should always be yours and should be something you initiate, not something you have to remember NOT to do!

In general, lifetime licenses are a better deal in the long run. However, when buying a lifetime license, be wary of developers who offer a “new” product that is nothing more than a watered-down version of an existing product and then claim that it doesn’t fall under the scope of your lifetime license. Not good.

Conflicts

Most software conflicts can be easily avoided by the developers or through very simple user actions. So why does Product A require you to remove Product B before installing? In many cases, the marketing department has determined that this is a clever means to force you to be loyal to their product.

The reality is that NO single product can keep up with the rapid issuance of new threats. So you may find yourself in need of another solution. Be sure to choose solutions from developers who understand this and put your security above their desire for market share.

Technology

The software you choose should actually work! Check O/S and system compatibility closely. Does the software require an inordinate amount of resources to do its job? Are the bells and whistles more prevalent than the actual protection?

Users often overlook the importance of updates. Tens of thousands of new threats are issued daily, and your software is only as good as the last set of updates. How often does the developer issue new definitions (the rules your software follows to find and remove new infections)? Choose software from developers who put finding and removing infections first and issue new definitions quickly and frequently!

Do Your Homework

Do some research, just as your friends at Cloudeight have. There is a lot of truly great information available from credible sources. What does your technician use? Ask them frankly, and they’ll echo the sentiments I’ve offered here.

Don’t despair. There are fantastic solutions available that won’t break your bank or your computer. Choose tools that are dedicated to what they do well, whether that’s spyware, virus, anti-spam, or firewall. Choose tools that work well together. Keep them up-to-date. Avoid “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” software suites that drain system resources and conflict with others.

At SUPERAntiSpyware, we’ve worked tirelessly to provide the very best spyware protection at reasonable prices with a focus on eliminating new and tough threats. We also work hard to make sure that we play well with others. And we truly appreciate the opportunity to help protect you.

---------

Our comments...

We'd like to thank Mike for taking time to write this informative article for our newsletter. We endorse and recommend SUPERAntiSpyware; we feel it's the very best product on the market. They don't use tricks or gimmicks, nor do they try to goad you into installing other software you may not want or need. SUPERAntiSpyware Pro with a lifetime license is available from us for $24.95 and you can use it on two computers. For $25 you can protect two computers for a lifetime - no annual renewals, no surprises on your credit card each year: you pay $24.95 once - and you'll never pay again. And you will get free upgrades, free updates, and great support - for a lifetime. You really can't beat this deal. And if you get a new computer, you can use SUPERAntiSpyware PRO lifetime to protect it too - without paying again. It's a no brainer. With other companies charging $30 to $60 a year - PER computer. Why not pay $25 one time - for two computers - and enjoy a lifetime of spyware and malware protection? SUPERAntiSpyware: the best spyware protection you can buy for your computer.