Comodo CEO Challenges Symantec in an Industry First Look at "Paid vs. Free" Security Software

Proposed Study to Negate Misinformation that Free is NOT Good Enough

Comodo announced a market challenge to Symantec to undertake a comparison of free versus paid Internet security software product testing to determine which product can protect the end-user better. CEO and chief security architect, Melih Abdulhayoglu, has taken a firm stance with Symantec and other software marketers who insist that high-priced security software is superior to free software products on the market.

The statement by Symantec to which Abdulhayoglu strongly objects to is that 'you need in-depth layered technologies, which ONLY come from the more mature paid suites'. The problem is that the Symantec executive incorrectly ties the concept of layered protection to paying money. Comodo Internet Security version 5 is a mature suite that offers this exact type of in-depth layered protection for free.

"If Symantec truly believes what they preach to the media then they will have no problem taking this challenge," he continued. "To Symantec: Comodo openly challenges you to an independent test to see which product can protect users better – a costly Norton product or a totally free Comodo product!"

Comodo Internet Security version 5 is the latest issue of antivirus software available on the market, and is totally fee to consumers and will be positioned for this challenge.

Abdulhayoglu says, "Just let us know. Our respective companies will choose a mutually agreeable independent testing organization to test which product can "protect" the end user better."

While there have been product comparisons of similar software products, there have been few a comparisons of paid versus free where consumers can see for themselves how the products stack up and whether they are getting their money's worth. This proposed study should provide that information.

'I am eagerly awaiting Symantec's reply and I am ready to demonstrate to consumers that they don't need to pay a high price for protection," he said.

This should be an interesting one to watch as it unfolds. Stay tuned.