To AV or not to AV....

[Sn00ks]

...that is the question.
Whether tis better to installeth AV software or to trust to Windows inbuilt thingies? :g:

What do they people in the know reckon?

Currently I run Avast free AV and Windows Defender (with its periodic AV scans disabled)

[OldBloke]

There's no real 'right' answer here. The setup that would work for you would not, for example, be the one right for someone less savvy.

I run with Windows Defender and a paid-for version of Malwarebytes. I am also careful around obvious areas of danger.

[smilodon]

Long time Windows Defender user. It's now a perfectly serviceable application with solid detection rates.

Av Comparatives - 100% detection (19 false positives)

AV Test - 5.5/6 detection, 5.5/6 performance, 6/6 usability 99.4% zero day, 100% in the wild.

Just a personal opinion but Windows Defender is IMHO equal to any free AV product minus the overhead, nagging upgrade screens etc.

Getting a paid Internet Security Suite 'might' offer more protection but I'm doubtful it does much for anyone who stays away from dodgy download sites etc.
Getting something like Malwarebytes Free and running that every few days is something I also do.

I'm also mindful of the fact that AV Companies have a big incentive to overplay the threats posed to the average Internet User in order to keep themselves in business. The b----cks they tout about hunting through the Dark, Deep, Interwebs to find your compromised info is an example of the nonsense they peddle. I'm guessing they know their days as pure AV vendors are numbered hence the new services they are adding to their range such as password managers, encrypted file storage, VPNs etc. So a paid AV is an option depending on how secure you want to be plus how useful the extras are

I'm sticking with Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Free, a VPN, Chrome/Firefox browser

... and as much common sense as I can muster  :g:


(Oldie beat me to the punch. Good point about no one size fits all.)

[Evilntwisted]

Easy "to AV". I use Webroot and it even has a gaming version and is very lightweight at about 700KB. I am a reseller and get some free home versions I am happy to give a key to anyone that wants it which gives you a years AV on the understanding its not abused.

[Sneakytiger]

As I use BT broadband I use mcafee works ok for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[albert]

I agree with Smilo 100% (I know it happens once in a while!!!). Windows Defender is perfectly fine for most people as an always on solution for all the reasons already mentioned. Occasionally you might want to clean a few things out with another app but I avoid using two for monitoring. Mostly good security is about common sense which can be improved by education.

[Chaosphere]

There's no real 'right' answer here. The setup that would work for you would not, for example, be the one right for someone less savvy.

I run with Windows Defender and a paid-for version of Malwarebytes. I am also careful around obvious areas of danger.

I use this exact set up, and would easily recommend it. Malwarebytes licences can also cover multiple devices, so both my desktop, laptop, and partner's laptop are all covered. Works well for us.

[Sn00ks]

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like Windows defender it is, plus Malwarebytes occasional scans.

[BrotherTobious]

I buck the trend and use eset still

[TeaLeaf]

There's no real 'right' answer here. The setup that would work for you would not, for example, be the one right for someone less savvy.

I run with Windows Defender and a paid-for version of Malwarebytes. I am also careful around obvious areas of danger.

...and that's precisely what I run too.  

This solution is approved.  :thumbsup:

[delanvital]

...and that's precisely what I run too.  

This solution is approved.  :thumbsup:

FWIW, so do I.

[sulky_uk]

There's no real 'right' answer here. The setup that would work for you would not, for example, be the one right for someone less savvy.

I run with Windows Defender and a paid-for version of Malwarebytes. I am also careful around obvious areas of danger.

and after my last forced reinstall of windows 10 (wed 6 feb, 1st time in 3 years for a reinstall btw)
 due to the inability of windows to install anything (that wasn't in steam strangely, and i googled for 4 hrs for a solution and after numerous attempts new install was the only option)

i am now going with the same option

but as i was running avast with mwb b4, i thought why not give it a try.