Freeware Antivirus... with a catch

[Guido]

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that.
Any ideas?

Gord

 

[Looker007]

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that.
Any ideas?

Gord

I think you could safely use "Avast Home" not the Pro version, for your
church.. Technically a
church is a "family" and the Home version of Avast is for "home=family" use.
When installing the software let it run resident at startup and it
should catch any nasty's trying
to install on the system.

--Looker007

 

[dkg_ctc]

I think you could safely use "Avast Home" not the Pro version, for
your church.. Technically a church is a "family"

No, a church is not a family either technically or generally.

and the Home version of Avast is for "home=family" use.

No, the Home version of Avast is for--and I quote--"home users which
do not use their computer for profit." It does not say Avast is for
"family" use, it specifically states that it is for "home users".

Surely you aren't recommending that a church commit fraud, are you?

*snip*

 

[The Six Million Dollar Man]

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that. Any
ideas?

Gord

Perhaps it might be legal for one of the parishioners to assign one of their
business's licensed copies of a Professional version of an anti-virus
program to the Church. Strictly speaking, this isn't freeware, but it might
be a solution. Pro versions of anti-virus programs include automatic updates
and are usually made to be easy to use by everybody.

 

[vestero]

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that.
Any ideas?

Gord

If this is for a church, I would go with the ClamWin so you can be
certain your use is ethical. I use ClamWin myself and it is fine.
People can't accidentally stumble onto viruses, either, but they can be
trained to scan anything they download before opening it. Plus, if you
are using a safe email client like Thunderbird and have it properly
configured, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[DaVinci]

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that.
Any ideas?

Gord

The free 12 month license offer on CA's EZ AV is still available. There
are no license restrictions that I'm aware of.

http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.e...lient=ComputerAssociates&sid=55939&CID=190471

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

No, a church is not a family either technically or generally.




No, the Home version of Avast is for--and I quote--"home users which
do not use their computer for profit." It does not say Avast is for
"family" use, it specifically states that it is for "home users".

Surely you aren't recommending that a church commit fraud, are you?

*snip*

Let me add:
I believe that it's a kindness for these AV makers to allow us to use
their products for free. We help them, of course, test their products in
return, and if that product is really wonderful, we'll spread the word
and they'll get commercial customers as a result. Frankly, I doubt that
they get much business as a result -- I may be wrong.

But I think that we should reflect on the fact that writing, and
especially maintaining, an Antivirus business is probably almost as
labor intensive as the actual creation of the viruses themselves. In
fact, it may be more costly because they have to reverse-engineer the
virus, to some degree. So, we are, indeed, getting something for
nothing. Unlike most other software, which becomes almost a money pump
once the coding has been completed, an antivirus company is always in
production mode. It's amazing that these programs aren't more expensive!

The business has to draw the line as to who constitutes a user who is
sufficiently able to pay for their wares. As an example, libraries
almost always pay for subscriptions. In fact, they'll sometimes pay
_more_ because of the multiple exposures. In the eyes of a vendor, a
church is indeed a business; perhaps even a business with multiple
users. I agree. I don't think that it's fair to the creator of the
intellectual property to expect him to give that product away because
it's to a House of God, the same way that the church is expected to pay
for its electricity.

Richard

 

[Guido]

Let me add:
I believe that it's a kindness for these AV makers to allow us to use
their products for free. We help them, of course, test their products in
return, and if that product is really wonderful, we'll spread the word
and they'll get commercial customers as a result. Frankly, I doubt that
they get much business as a result -- I may be wrong.

But I think that we should reflect on the fact that writing, and
especially maintaining, an Antivirus business is probably almost as
labor intensive as the actual creation of the viruses themselves. In
fact, it may be more costly because they have to reverse-engineer the
virus, to some degree. So, we are, indeed, getting something for
nothing. Unlike most other software, which becomes almost a money pump
once the coding has been completed, an antivirus company is always in
production mode. It's amazing that these programs aren't more expensive!

The business has to draw the line as to who constitutes a user who is
sufficiently able to pay for their wares. As an example, libraries
almost always pay for subscriptions. In fact, they'll sometimes pay
_more_ because of the multiple exposures. In the eyes of a vendor, a
church is indeed a business; perhaps even a business with multiple
users. I agree. I don't think that it's fair to the creator of the
intellectual property to expect him to give that product away because
it's to a House of God, the same way that the church is expected to pay
for its electricity.

Richard

Agreed, Richard, that's actually why I came here to ask for advice,
because I knew that AVG and Avast weren't intended for even non-profit
use freely. I really like using AVG on my home computer, but it would
be as immoral for me to use them on my church's computer as it would be
for me to use a pirated copy of Windows. No matter how much I dislike
Microsoft, I still paid for a copy of Windows XP Pro (never mind that it
was half the price of the computer!!).
Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Gord

 

[Vic Dura]

The business has to draw the line as to who constitutes a user who is
sufficiently able to pay for their wares. As an example, libraries
almost always pay for subscriptions. In fact, they'll sometimes pay
_more_ because of the multiple exposures. In the eyes of a vendor, a
church is indeed a business; perhaps even a business with multiple
users. I agree. I don't think that it's fair to the creator of the
intellectual property to expect him to give that product away because
it's to a House of God, the same way that the church is expected to pay
for its electricity.

Well said and worth repeating.

 

[Gomolo]

Le Tue, 14 Jun 2005 09:09:29 -0400, Guido a écrit :

I'm setting up a computer for my church, and I'd like to put a freeware
antivirus on, unfortunately AVG and Avast! charge non-profits.
I found one called ClamWin, but it doesn't have real-time scanning.
The people using the computer aren't extreme users or anything, but I
worry that they might accidentally stumble onto viruses and all that.
Any ideas?

Gord

God doesn't you give the answer ??
Maybe his knowledge in computer is below
zero...

 

[vestero]

God doesn't you give the answer ??
Maybe his knowledge in computer is below
zero...

This group is for discussion of freeware. There must be a usenet group
for bigots where you can appropriately post your juvenile comments.

 

[kenny]

I dont think that AVAST would have a problem.
Churches cannot be considered a profit business, and it is the home of God.

If they DID sue a church it would REALLY be bad publicity and bad for their
afterlife.


--
Kenfucious said:

Michael Jackson has been vindicated.

The truth is one, you must accept it. Reality is not a point of view, since
if everything was a point a view, then the theory that everything is a point
of view, is just a point a view and not something real.

 

[David]

Agreed, Richard, that's actually why I came here to ask for advice,
because I knew that AVG and Avast weren't intended for even non-profit
use freely. I really like using AVG on my home computer, but it would
be as immoral for me to use them on my church's computer as it would be
for me to use a pirated copy of Windows. No matter how much I dislike
Microsoft, I still paid for a copy of Windows XP Pro (never mind that it
was half the price of the computer!!).
Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Gord

You could always ask. They could answer yes or no.

 

[kenny]

I have another idea, write avast an email and ask them their permission to
use their home product for free...
I would think that if they were at least decent they would
donate you a pro license.

No need to cheat.

--
Kenfucious said:

Michael Jackson has been vindicated.

The truth is one, you must accept it. Reality is not a point of view, since
if everything was a point a view, then the theory that everything is a point
of view, is just a point a view and not something real.

 

[BillR]

The free 12 month license offer on CA's EZ AV is still available. There
are no license restrictions that I'm aware of.

http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.e...lient=ComputerAssociates&sid=55939&CID=190471

I've found ClamWin greatly improved this year but it lacks an on-access
(real-time) monitor. CA's EZ AV is ok (average performer) and it does
have an on-access monitor. I don't know whether the license permits
non-profit use but the license is only for one year and is not
renewable (unless you apply from a different email account).

[OT] If you need several licenses and have to pay, F-Prot for Windows
is OK (average performer) and by far the least expensive.

[OT] If you are in the US or Canada and are willing to play the rebate
game, you can get Network Associates/McAfee, Symantec/Norton, Computer
Associates (CA)/Ez/eTrust, or some other antivirus (or combined
AV+Firewall) for free-after-rebate (plus tax) from CompUSA/Best
Buy/Staples/amazon/.... If nothing is on sale this week, it will be
within the next three weeks. Many vendors release 2006 versions in
Sept. so free-after-rebate sales are even more common during the
summer. SystemSuite and System Mechanic Pro include both AV and
firewall tools but are infrequently FAR.

[OT] Note that you can often meet the prior purchase requirement (i.e.,
upgrade rebate) via a cross-rebate (e.g., buy Symantec SystemWorks plus
Symantec Internet Security or McAfee plus CA).

[OT] FatWallet.com or Techbargains.com are two of the many sites that
track what is available this week.

[OT?] Another possibility is to write to a few anti-virus companies and
ask for an exemption, especially if only for one or two PCs. Offering
to provide free publicity/good will via periodic mention in the
newsletter and/or citation on the website might provide sufficient
incentive.

[OT] TechSoup (www.techsoup.com) stockpiles donated commercial
software. Norton AV 10 users license is $35 if you qualify.

You also might want to include links to several of the free on-line
scanners in a prominent position on the desktop or start menu. I've
listed a number in a new post categorized by features such as:
disk vs. file
scan only vs. repair
traditional AV vs. spyware/other
multi-engine

Years ago I set up several PCs to automatically run one on-line AV
application at 12:15 pm and a different one at 1:00 pm (disk were
smaller then). My logic was that the PC would probably be unattended
around lunch time. I didn't really care if the user stopped the scan
on any given day as the active processes were checked first and I
assumed the checks would complete on some days. Just for good measure
I included a midnight run in case someone left a PC on.

 

[Margrave of Brandenburg]

No, a church is not a family either technically or generally.


No, the Home version of Avast is for--and I quote--"home users which
do not use their computer for profit." It does not say Avast is for
"family" use, it specifically states that it is for "home users".

Surely you aren't recommending that a church commit fraud, are you?

OP ... why not write to AVG (Grisoft) or Avast?
Explain your situation and ask them if you can use the free version.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Agreed, Richard, that's actually why I came here to ask for advice,
because I knew that AVG and Avast weren't intended for even non-profit
use freely. I really like using AVG on my home computer, but it would
be as immoral for me to use them on my church's computer as it would be
for me to use a pirated copy of Windows. No matter how much I dislike
Microsoft, I still paid for a copy of Windows XP Pro (never mind that it
was half the price of the computer!!).
Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Gord

You know, I wonder if there are any AV publishers out there who would be
willing to give your organization their product for a reduced charge
(maybe even free), especially if you're willing to function as a beta
tester for them.

I'm thinking about a "win-win" here.

If you're in the US, it may be worth giving Eset a call (NOD 32); their
AV is supposed to be fantastic. In my experience, AV companies have been
unusually short on usability, so they might be thankful to have someone
who can give good feedback about that. They're better than they were in
the past -- I struggled with the DOS versions of MacAfee and Dr. Solomon's.

I was thinking of ethics rather than morals, by the way. We get confused
between them.

Richard

 

[John Hood]

I dont think that AVAST would have a problem.
Churches cannot be considered a profit business, and it is the home of God.

If they DID sue a church it would REALLY be bad publicity and bad for their
afterlife.

correct me if I'm wrong. Isn't AntiVir free no matter how you use it?

John H.

 

[BillR]

correct me if I'm wrong. Isn't AntiVir free no matter how you use it?

John H.

"The private and individual use of the AntiVir Personal Edition is
completely free of charge!" - www.free-av.com Note, I didn't read the
actual license.

John's annotated "best of" site is well worth a visit. His comments
explain why he has chosen one program over another.

http://www.jhoodsoft.org

BillR