Nice try, Symantec! Cheesey video warns against free antivirus

Back in July, a Symantec exec predictably talked down free antivirus apps. This week, the cheeky devils behind Norton Antivirus have turned out a real tour de force. Seriously. It's a flippant look at the old adage "the best things in life are free."

The spot starts by mentioning love. Yeah, that's free, right? Sure, except for weddings says the straightman - those could cost as much as *gasp* $10,000! I'm not sure what year Symantec thinks it is, but I'm pretty sure many weddings run well in excess of three to five times that amount.

What about kids, those are great - and free! No, jackass, that's another bad call on your part. They're expensive too, says Unfunny Guy. Really? Thanks for pointing that out.

Actually, those are two great reasons to use free antivirus, Symantec. I mean, since we're all saving up money for that expensive wedding and the cost of raising children, why should we blow $50 a year on your antivirus when we don't have to?

Security Essentials has gotten rave reviews and plenty of other free antivirus apps - like Avira, Avast, AVG, Panda Cloud AV - have a solid track record despite what Norton claims.

By the way, as for making the firewall sound like a difference maker - it's not. Windows has included a firewall since XP. And there are plenty of third party options available if that's not good enough for you. The only real difference in your video? Tech support. And I don't remember when the last time was that I heard a customer give glowing reviews to Symantec's consumer tech support.

You know what else isn't free? Acting lessons and a quality ad agency. But Symantec probably already knows that.

By the way, if you're looking for free antivirus for Windows: Microsoft Security Essentials drops today, and there's a big list of other options on our site as well. Or you can go pay for Norton. Your call.

[via Digital Inspiration]

Tags: free-antivirus, norton, symantec