What Is Freeware Antivirus Software or Free Software?

Computer software is subject to copyright laws to protect its authors and provide them with fair compensation for their hard work. Without payment, there would be no incentive for programmers to spend years creating or maintaining their software. Some of the software is distributed free of charge, so it is important to understand the different licenses related to computer Antivirus Software. For this reason, we are going to analyze here what freeware consists of , its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages and the differences with other types of software.

Definition of Freeware Antivirus Software. 

What is freeware ? It is computer software that is fully functional, available for free for an indefinite period of time, and can be downloaded from the Internet or run on the Internet. Sometimes restrictions are placed on the software, for example not for distribution or commercial use. If the software has ads, it is not considered freeware but adware. The free software differs from the open source and free software in the open source and free software allows the user to modify, study or use the software without restrictions.

Freeware simply implies software that is free but does not allow the user to make changes to it. Although the free software is free to the user, it is still protected by copyright. No one can market free software as their own unless they own it.

Origin of the term

Andrew Fluegelman was the first person to use the term free software. Andrew wanted to distribute a program called PC-Talk for free. He first distributed it through a process that is now called shareware.

The free Antivirus software , as it is known today, is not consistent with what Andrew Fluegelman had in mind originally. Introducing IBM-PC to the world, Fluegelman decided to sell it using the method we now know as "Freeware" which he characterized as "an experiment in economics rather than altruism." Initially, freeware encouraged users to make voluntary payments to distribute software, but it also allowed users to freely copy and redistribute the software as long as the license terms and wording were not changed. The current use of the term freeware is not the same as that of Fluegelman. Free software developers make a clear distinction between their software and freeware: free software embodies the concept of freedom of use, while freeware is related to free.

 Features of freeware programs

Among the characteristics of freeware programs , we can highlight the following:

·         Available at minimal cost . Free software does not mean zero cost software. It is true that most of the current open source projects are available for free, which creates ambiguity around the commonly used term “free software”. Freeware reduces the cost of production. Making a system like MS-Windows costs millions of dollars. But if you produce the same type of system using a free POSIX version it would probably cost less than a hundred dollars.

·         Provides total freedom. Originally, computer manufacturers were only looking for hardware innovation and did not view software as a business asset. Later, high-level programming languages ​​were introduced that were compatible with almost all types of computers. That meant that an even less efficient hardware design could perform better. This led to a decrease in the profit margin for hardware manufacturers and they had to start treating software as an essential part of their hardware sales, enforcing strict copyright policies. This led to the emergence of proprietary software. Freeware gives users the freedom to study how the program works by accessing the source code, writing additional code, testing it, modifying it, and distributing it.

·         No imposed updates . Free software never disappears as owner. If proprietary vendors stop supporting a product, users have two options: use an unsupported version of the software or perform an (unwanted) upgrade. The enforced update never happens for free software.

·         Do not spy on users . If users have no control over the software they are using, they can easily spy on your activity. The company behind the proprietary software often installs features that prevent users from sharing it with others. Since anyone who purchases proprietary software must sign a license agreement before using it, he agrees that the vendor has the right to inspect the contents of the hard drive without prior notice. This violates our privacy because our computers contain our personal information and our daily activities.

·     Audit ability . When closed source software makers claim they made program enhancements, improved security, and restricted back doors, users are forced to believe it. Since the source code is not provided, there is no evidence for such claims.

·         Greater security . It is a commonly known fact that proprietary software threatens the safety of users. There is a long history of security vulnerabilities. Proprietary software doesn't necessarily stop the spread of viruses and allows hackers to take over people's computers to send spam. Because the software is secret, all users depend on the corporation to fix these types of problems.

·         No monopolies . It is easier and cheaper to switch from one free software to another compared to changing proprietary software. Free software does not tie you to any corporation.

·         User oriented . One of the main claims of proprietary software is that free software is not user-oriented. A proprietary provider used to listen to the needs of its customers and respond and develop accordingly.

·         No blocking standards . Proprietary providers set proprietary standards to ensure their users become repeat customers. Free software works on open standards. 

·         Part of the social movement . Freeware is not just for the individual user. It promotes social solidarity and represents society as a whole through exchange and cooperation. As our activities are progressively digitized, free software is becoming an even more essential part of our culture and life activities.

What is freeware Antivirus Software for?

The uses of freeware are very varied, depending on the type of program we are looking for. Users who choose this type of software benefit from the convenience and help of having special software without having to pay for it. They can also use that software without any limitation (only those established by the program itself).

The freeware software can greatly help to companies that are starting their business and can not spend much on specialized programs and would get significant savings in software. Also for those companies that need to reduce their costs.

Freeware or shareware Antivirus Software ?

When choosing between freeware or shareware we must take into account the characteristics and differences of each of these types of software. The main difference is in the distribution system. Ideally, for free software, there should be no charge to use the software. The freeware distribution offers users the possibility to try the software and continue using it without paying anything.

The shareware distribution gives users the opportunity to test the software before purchasing it. If someone wants to use the shareware program for a long time, they may have to buy it. In shareware, the developer markets the program directly to the user, bypassing the normal distribution channel and the retail middleman. This results in a lower price for the end user. Shareware users are also encouraged to copy and distribute unregistered versions of the software to friends and colleagues for the purpose of testing it with the understanding that they will pay for it if they continue to use it.

The main problem with freeware is the lack of support if a program does not run correctly. Some free programs incorporate advertisements, which can install adware on users' systems. Many shareware projects are not regularly updated or supported for the program. While freeware is untethered and time-limited software, shareware may just be feature-limited software that can be used for free for a specified period. And after that period the user must buy it to continue using it.

Differences with other types of licenses

Let's also look at the differences between freeware and other types of licenses.

Free software

In open source software, as the name suggests, the source code is readily available, which means that a talented backend can easily customize it. Open source software is definitely getting a lot of attention and for a very good reason: Although OSS is free, it is extremely reliable. Also, OSS software, compared to freeware and shareware, is much more secure. Open source software is amazing simply because it is readily available and can potentially be molded into anything you want. However, it is not the Holy Grail of business software, nor does it want to be. OSS is scalable, reliable, and in all cases made by an experienced computer engineer who is not necessarily motivated by money. As a business, you should also consider the support aspect. If something goes terribly wrong with the software, there is no one to help.

Well, there is a whole community of experts ready to help you, but that means hours and hours of searching forums, asking questions, and praying that someone finds the right answer. Open source is reliable, flexible and scalable, but it is poorly supported and you could incur unforeseen costs, especially when you try to use it for purposes other than what it was designed for.

Donation-ware

This software grants the user access to all its functions. However, it comes with a small request: the user is asked to either fork out a small amount of cash to support the project or simply show appreciation for the author's work. The payment part is optional and has no relation to the functionality of the application. Given its behavior, donation-ware could be considered to have more in common with freeware than with shareware.

Postcard-ware

Postcard-ware is a particular type of software with a license agreement that requires the user to send a postcard to the creator as a licensing process. This type of software license bridges the gap between free software, where the user is not required to do anything, and traditional licensed software that includes license fees. In many cases, postcard deals are made on an honor system. In fact, due to practicality, the rules for licensing postal software are rarely enforced. Some postcard software creators even state in the license agreement that sending a postcard is not required, but elective.

Antivirus Software creators may include a postcard license agreement just to convince users to acknowledge the creation of the software. Postcard settings can also be a way for creators to know when people are using the software.