Free antivirus for non-profit?

[tweakthis]

Hi all,

I work for a non-profit, United Way member agency. We've been using AVG for the last couple of years as part of a donation program. Now they don't offer AVG for free to non-profits, although there is a 50% discount. I'm looking to see if anyone knows of a quality program that is free to charitable organizations. Currently there are about 15 computers to be supported, although that could change in the future.

Thanks.

[Frogy]

Avast has a 50% discount for non-profits http://www.avast.com/eng/pricelists.html

TechSoup offers software for nonprofit organizations and is probably worth looking into http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Default.asp?visit=1

[frostyone]

Most offer discounts, but I don't know of any that are free, might be though.

With or without discounts F-prot is an inexpensive anti-virus.
$50 to cover 10 computers on a corporate license.

$50 to cover 14 computers for a non-profit organization.
http://www.f-prot.com/products/prices/price_win.html
--
But you should also weigh any cost saving against the pain of switching, if AVG has worked well for you.

[freestylegreek]

This is a stupid question but how in the world is AVG going to know your non profit? Unless there like Microsoft and scan the persons computer looking for something.

[Frogy]

This is a stupid question but how in the world is AVG going to know your non profit? Unless there like Microsoft and scan the persons computer looking for something.




Nonprofit organizations must be registered and have a registration number that identifies them hence they can be validated if need be. In this case they are a United Way member agency.

[FTA]

why cant they download AVG on every single computer, that way it is personal use!

I dont see any harm, it is not that AVG will know!

[Nave]

the moral standing behind a not for profit organization is a little higher than some of the members of this board.

Out in the professional world things like licensing matter.

[Mouse]

That would still not stop them from using AVT 7.5 Free Version, would it??

[frostyone]

I think the licencing prohibits it, Mousie.

"Use of AVG Anti-Virus Free within any organization or for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

GRISOFT supports discounts for:

* Schools
* Charities
* Churches

[Mouse]

Tough toenails, I say.

Let's see how far they get, bucking a registered charity, in the news media??

[FTA]

I think the licencing prohibits it, Mousie.

"Use of AVG Anti-Virus Free within any organization or for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

GRISOFT supports discounts for:

* Schools
* Charities
* Churches

how will they know???? each user on each PC installs a single copy of AVG, and call it a day! :ish:

[tweakthis]

I contemplated the AVG free thing, but in all good (personal and professional) conscience I'm not comfortable doing that. I realize that AVT offers a 50% discount for charities, but it's still a big chunk of cash for 15 computers. I was fortunate that I got in on the ground floor when they were offering freebies to charities. We've been using AVG for a number of years now. It wasn't till AVG hit the 7's that they instituted a time period limit on licenses.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I guess we'll have to bite the bullet and buy the program. It just means stretching those donation and fund raising $$'s a bit further, or finding another fund raising avenue.

[Frogy]

Did you look into TechSoup Tweakthis, they are hooked up with Symantec? Frosty's thought of Fprot, $50 for 14 computers looked quite reasonable too.

[tweakthis]

I did look into TechSoup, Frogy, but our license is due to expire in six days. I don't think there is time to set that up before AVG expires, and I don't want to be without antivirus. I'll look again a couple of months before the expiry date of whatever program I choose this time around. I've written emails to AVG, Panda, and BitDefender to see what price I can get. Re Fprot, I couldn't find enough reviews on the product to decide if it was easy to use (a must!) and offered the security features I need. Some of the programs I checked don't even offer real-time email checking! :eek:

Thank you all for your suggestions. :)

[freestylegreek]

Well I know someone who is using it on 15 computers.

[FTA]

geez! why pay when you can get it for free!

and then charities complain that they have no money or shortage in donations! Now I know where they waste their money!!!

[mander]

geez! why pay when you can get it for free!

and then charities complain that they have no money or shortage in donations! Now I know where they waste their money!!!

I am sure it can be done for free but we are talking a charitable organization here. They do things the right way, not doing something illegal as far as a registered charity. Here is an idea to throw into the basket, how about everyone here donate a loonie...less than a price of coffee to a great cause to allow them to do it legally and without a guilty consience?(sp) Its a great cause no matter what. I for one am in. ;)

[FTA]

who is going to rat on them?

how will AVG know?

if they were a dealership or a library or something then I agree, buy the app. But for 15 pcs! just download it 15 times!

[Dr.Dan]

who is going to rat on them?

how will AVG know?

if they were a dealership or a library or something then I agree, buy the app. But for 15 pcs! just download it 15 times!
Really, you have to stop recommending people do illegal things... please.

If tweakthis wanted to do that, it would have been done and the question never asked.

It's not a matter of if AVG will know... this is a Nonprofit organization... and for some reason they seem to get software audited regularly... just like schools :akq:

If an audit is done and they don't have proper licencing for all software, the sites admin will be in hot water... it's just not worth it over a few $$$.

[FTA]

why audit software? audit their performance, their job, their skills, their business.

in my old jobs we got audited every couple of month for ISO and TS and they never checked the computers.

[Nave]

holy crap FTA give it a rest, your advice is not applicable in this situation,

thanks

[tweakthis]

geez! why pay when you can get it for free!

and then charities complain that they have no money or shortage in donations! Now I know where they waste their money!!!Ummm, well, I don't have a lot to say to that. I think my fellow TCM'ers have answered your question/complaint quite adequately.

I will add, however, that, to me, it would be a slap in the face to AVG to turn around and download the free version when they have been good enough to give us AVG for free for that past six years. And yes, I could do that, and no-one in the office would be any the wiser, except me. I have to answer to my Executive Director, and he in turn has to answer to the Board of Directors. Believe it or not, the Board does periodically ask questions like "is all of the software licensed". Believe it or not, we have Directors who are savvy enough to ask questions like that.

I only hope that as you mature, FTA, you develop the ability to reason and understand the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral, and compassion. Those will guide you in the ethical dilemma's in life.

Thank you all for your ideas. I've written to AVG, Panda, and BitDefender to see if they will offer AV protection for free, or at a more reduced price than 50% off. If the comparables are all the same, I'll stick with AVG. There should be some reward for the service they've provided for the past six years. If their pricing isn't competitive, I'll go with the best I can get. Whatever I choose, it has to be very user friendly. I work in an office of social workers who are busy supporting clients and volunteers, not tech-savvy geeks.

Just as an FYI, there was a charity some years ago that did not have completely licensed software, and MS did bring them to court. They were found guilty and fined. I don't remember how much, but the fine sure hurt the books.

Finally, thank you to the TCM member who offered a donation towards the purchase of AV software. I am truly touched by your consideration.

[Nave]

i have 5$ in paypal for donation

[tweakthis]

Thank you for the offer, Nave. I appreciate it very much. I'll wait and see if I do indeed have to purchase AV software before accepting your generosity.

For anyone who wants to know the charity where I work, check out www.citizenadvocacy.org. For those in the Ottawa region, we're always looking for a few good volunteers! ;) :)

[tweakthis]

Hi all,

I did not hear from AVG or BitDefender.

Avast! is offering 50% off the SBS Suite Standard at $330 USD a year. Panda is offering the BusinessSecure with TruPrevent software at a non-profit rate, and increasing the value to "buy two years, get the third one free" at $30 CDN per workstation = $450 CDN.

I've used Panda's online scanner, but not the desktop software. Is anyone familiar with Panda? Any reason not to purchase the software? I like the idea of the third year free, which will realize a savings of approximately $100, and I don't have to deal with this again for another three years.

Thanks for your input. :)

[Frogy]

It appears that Panda rates quite well and from what I am reading, rates better than AVG.

Here is a google on ratings http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=mnO&q=AntiVirus+software+ratings&btnG=Search&meta=

Here is the 6Star Reviews http://antivirus-software.6starreview.com/Content.aspx?RID=5&SID=1

It looks to be a good choice to me. :)

[tweakthis]

Thanks, Frogy. Panda has reviewed well for the past couple of years at the few sites I checked out. Sounds like just the ticket for our needs.

[Frogy]

The only downfall in the offer that I see is that you are required to pay for 2 years in advance to get the 3rd year free. It's a gamble, but based on past history regarding free software to non-profit (AVG and Avast were once both free and neither are now) one worth taking. Good luck Tt and I hope it's a smooth transition. :)

[Dr.Dan]

Looks like a great deal Tweakie

Only drawback is that if you're not happy with them 6 months from now, you've shelled out for 3 years... and you're stuck..

Panda is fairly user friendly... it will take a bit for you to get used to it as you're used to using AVG for years.

Good Luck on whichever way you go :bsu:

[tweakthis]

I did consider that, Dr. Dan, but the price is competitive enough to take the chance, I think. It costs slightly more for three years of Panda as it will for one year of Avast! It works out to $10 per year per workstation for Panda, and that's a number that's hard to ignore. It's a shame that AVG and BitDefender didn't return my messages. Oh well. I'm taking a chance that Panda will still be around three years from now. They've survived this long in a competitive market, so that's good news. :)

[mander]

This may hold some bearing on whether or not to go with the Panda software. I just went to their website to do an online scan, and Avast popped up and detected a virus with the tools you had to download straight from Panda. Could be a false positive but can Panda be trusted? :rrg: Just my thoughts.

[TB2007]

You can their new tool

www.malwareradar.com

[Frogy]

This may hold some bearing on whether or not to go with the Panda software. I just went to their website to do an online scan, and Avast popped up and detected a virus with the tools you had to download straight from Panda. Could be a false positive but can Panda be trusted? :rrg: Just my thoughts.


Exactly, most AV doesn't like other AV software and I've had this similar detection by AVG and other installed AV when running online scans that require downloads. Nothing to be concerned about Tweakthis.

[Dr.Dan]

^^ As Frogy just said, mander ^^

Tweakie, I'm sure Panda will be around for a long time unless someone screws up big time...
If I thought it was risky, I would tell you to stay away... and I'm not.

Given the info you have so far, I'd agree that it seems to be the best solution for you at this time. :bsu:

[Frogy]

You can their new tool

www.malwareradar.com

Welcome aboard TB2007. :) I see that is Panda software as well. ;)