Expert: Lorry - 6/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lorry,

I have a question that a friend of mine is afraid to ask, I do not know why. He knows that I have been asking you questions about AVG, well, he asked me to ask you this question. He recently bought at a Target store a software called  “System Tech AntiSpyware with AntiVirus” by Summitsoft “Creative at work” and he want to get your ( well I am asking you this cause he asked me to) opinion about this software and company running this software if this is a good company and software? I guess the thing that got my friend attention about this software is that you get “updates with NO SUBSCRIPTION or RENEWAL FEES and I looked into the FAQs on their web site about this and they believe that if you buy a software that you should not have to repay to use the software for another year like other softwares. What is your opinion on this, Lorry. Thanks

Sincerely yours,

Martin C. Meyer in behalf of my friend.

ANSWER: Hi Martin,

Never heard of this program, then again there are many programs out there. Saying that, this is what I found when checking out this one:

http://reviews.cnet.com/system-utilities/systemtech-antispyware-with-antivirus/4

It wasn't mentioned at Top Ten Reviews:

http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Sorry I couldn't find any other information. Like you, checked out their site, personally, it looks too good to be true - hope I'm wrong as your friend already purchased it. To be honest with you, if there is a free program available that does the job, I'll use that one.

Later,
Lorry





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Lorry,

I am now, writing to you on what you said here, if there is a free program available that does the job, I'll use that one. (That was asking your opinion about System Tech Anti-spyware with Anti-Virus for a friend of mine. What you may have thought that it is too good to be true well as I have said that it says in their faqs that they said NO SUBSCRIPTION or RENEWAL FEES cause they do not feel as though if you buy a software then why keep paying for each year to use it along with the updates I guess it's much like the free version of AVG, when I asked you about the expiration date and you said there is no expiration date. And) I was asking about the free version of AVG and you are saying that it does not do the job then? Or what? And what about the updates for the free version of AVG?

Martin C. Meyer asking in behalf of my friend

P.S. If it is o.k. with I will send you a link on the NO SUBSCRIPTION or RENEWAL FEES from their site faqs, and you get free updates. Oh, as I went to the page you get the faqs but it is with in the page itself no link to the faqs page, but there is a copy of what they said about the free updates and no subscription and renewal fees, Q. What's the catch with "No Subscription Fees"? A. No catch. Unlike other protection software that requires you to pay for continued antivirus and antispyware updates every year, SystemTech AntiSpyware will never charge you for them. This does not mean our software protects you less, we just think you should not have to keep paying for software you already purchased. And here is the link anyways if you want to check it out, here it is along with the info on the program http://www.summitsoftcorp.com/utilities-software/system-tech-anti-spyware.html

Answer
Hi Martin,

Forgot all about Microsoft's Security Essentials, a free program:

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Regarding AVG Free, it does the job as long as you keep it up to date. I know many people could well afford to pay for protection but use AVG. Those people also use Malwarebytes, another free program. AVG will have the free updates, no problem there. The main thing to remember no matter which program is used, it to keep it up to date and to run a weekly scan.

As mentioned earlier, never heard of System Tech AntiSpyware with AntiVirus but there are so many programs available that it is hard to keep up with all of them. What I read on their site sounds really good, plus I like the fact that there is support available if required.

In other words, think your friend has a good deal with the System Tech AntiSpyware with AntiVirus.

I have heard good reports about MS Essentials, some of my friends have been using it and are very satisfied,

Hope this helps!
Lorry