Get this 3-user security suite free after rebate.
(Credit: Newegg)Security software: necessary evil or just evil? I tend to think it's the latter, though many would argue it's very necessary and not evil at all. If you fall into that camp (or know a tech doofus who does), check out this deal from Newegg: Panda Internet Security 2008 (3-user edition) shipped to your door for zero dollars. Well, actually, for $40, but you get it back in rebate form.
The Panda package bills itself as a "total security solution," offering anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, anti-spam, and possibly anti-matter and anti-depressants (checking on those). It also offers rootkit protection, a two-way firewall, parental controls, and loads of other false-hope--er, safety--features.
CNET hasn't reviewed the suite, but four users spoke up about it on the product page. As with most security suites, some loved it, others hated it. If you don't mind waiting to get your money back and do want hardcore protection against the horrors of the Internet, you can't beat free. The rebate deal [PDF] expires Aug. 16.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
Sure, you can safeguard your PC with various freeware security apps, but there's something to be said for having a single program that protects you from viruses, spyware, phishing, hackers, and so on. Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare 2.0 is such a program, and Amazon has it on sale for $30--minus a $30 mail-in rebate. Shipping is free, bringing the grand total to zero dollars.
Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (wow, what an embarrassingly bad name) combines real-time anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-phishing tools with a managed firewall, a data backup utility, and system optimization. You can protect up to three PCs (Windows XP and Vista only) and get unlimited tech support via phone, e-mail, or chat. (That's arguably the key reason to choose a commercial security suite over a batch of freebies, which tend to come with little or no support.)
Renewing your OneCare subscription will run you $50 annually, so what you're really getting here is the first year free. I'm disappointed that the backup utility doesn't include an online option (why not link OneCare with Windows Live SkyDrive, Microsoft?), but otherwise this is a solid, extremely user-friendly security suite. (I'm basing that on a review of the 1.0 version I did many moons ago.)
The rebate deal is good until June 21, so you've got time to weigh the pros and cons. In fact, you can download the 90-day trial version if you want to take OneCare for a spin before ordering.
(via jkOnTheRun)
- prev
- 1
- next
