Get Panda Internet Security 2009 free
OK, free after rebate, but it's still a good deal. The suite offers a full spectrum of protections, including antivirus, antispam, firewall, and even parental controls.
People routinely look at me as if I'm nuts. Oh, wait, there's a second part to that sentence: People routinely look at me as if I'm nuts when I tell them I don't use any security software: no Zone Alarm, no Norton, nothing.
Instead, I rely on the security measures built into Windows and a few tricks I've learned. So far, it works fine for me.
That said, I usually advise friends and family members to install some kind of comprehensive security package. Because I consider all of you to be like family (yes, even you raving crackpots), here's a deal: Newegg has the Panda Internet Security 2009 3-user edition for free.
Well, OK, free after rebate (PDF). You have to part with $30 now, but you'll get it back in 8 to 12 weeks. (That's just my guess--the rebate form doesn't actually say.)
So, how does Panda Internet Security 2009 compare with Norton Internet Security 2009, which has been widely praised for being faster, smaller, and better than ever?
According to CNET's Robert Vamosi, Panda is "vastly improved in speed and effectiveness over last year's version." The downside: mediocre tech support.
Still, it's hard to argue with free. So if you're in the market for a security suite, but want something a little more professional than the various freebie utilities out there, this Newegg deal might be for you.