What about Bullguard?

Ted wants to know about Bullguard
I have a friend who owns a computer repair shop near me, and I’ve always trusted his advice (not as much as yours though). He said that he didn’t think very highly of Microsoft Security Essentials – he doesn’t think very highly of Microsoft in general. He recommended Bullguard Internet Security. So I ask you – what do you think?

Our Answer
First of all, we generally share his opinion of Microsoft and its products. It seems Microsoft is reeling from its realization that other companies – like Apple and Google – have passed them by and left them scratching their heads.

Microsoft is playing catch-up now, but they’ll never catch up by imitating the success of others. The disaster of Windows Phone is just one example – Microsoft must have been out of their minds to think they’d put out a cell phone operating system that would survive in the marketplace with Apple’s iPhone and the many Android-based cellphones out there. They really believe, I think, that if it says “Microsoft” people will buy it. But the world has changed.

That being said, Microsoft Security Essentials, is an excellent anti-virus program. It rates highly – above most others – in many independent tests. I’m not particularly enamored with anything Microsoft – but we trust our computers to MSE – because it’s good, Microsoft or not. It does not matter who makes it – what matters is: Does it work? Does it protect your computer?

We checked out Bullguard and their Web site. First we notice that their price is $59.95 – rather a hefty price tag for a security “suite”. Consider McAfee and Norton both charge about the same and their name recognition is much greater. We’re not saying Norton or McAfee are worth it – or that they’re better or worse than Bullguard – we’re just saying $59.95 is expensive – and an unnecessary expense. Why waste your money?

And it’s not immediately evident if that’s for an annual subscription or if it’s a lifetime license. A quick look at their site didn’t turn up the answer to a question that should be addressed right up front. We had to dig into their FAQ page to find out it’s a subscription. So you pay $59.95 every year  for yet another security suite that doesn’t protect your computer any better than the free Microsoft Security Essentials and a lifetime license for SUPERAntiSpyware for $25.  So why would you pay Bullguard $59.95 every year for protection you could get for $25 – for a lifetime? Makes no sense to us.

About Bullguard:

It contains an anti-virus product (Microsoft Security Essentials is rated higher by independent labs – and is free)
It contains an antispyware product – we can’t find out how it rates.
It contains a firewall – you don’t need a 3rd-party firewall – leave your Windows Firewall turned on.
It contains a spam filter – we’ve never yet seen a spam filter that didn’t filter good emails too; you don’t need it.

You can install anything you want on your computer – but it’s your computer. You would be further ahead both in protection of your computer and money-wise by installing Microsoft Security Essentials (the anti-virus component is superb) and SUPERAntiSpyware Professional for $25 for a lifetime license. You’d be better protected and further ahead.

There are dozens of security software suites – most of them are expensive. But price has nothing to do with protection – the two are not related. We’re not saying Bullguard won’t protect your system, we’re saying you don’t need to spend $60 a year to protect your computer.

Stick with Microsoft Security Essentials and save your money. That’s our advice.