Virus protection

[silverfoxcc]

Just had an email form McAfee that the renewal for my system ( up to 5 devices covered) will be 95...

I am a bith loatrhe to pay that much.

Any cheaper and just as good protection systems out there?

[Captain_Morgan]

The foc default in built Microsoft one that comes with windows is fine.

[shtu]

I've used the assorted free ones over the years, Avast, AVG, etc., and now just run the default Windows AV and Firewall. It's fine, and doesn't spend 50% of it's time trying to make you buy something.

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/...

[Jim the Sunderer]

Just use Microsoft Defender

wikipedia said:

During a December 2017 test of various anti-malware software carried out by AV-TEST on Windows 10, Windows Defender earned 6 out of 6 points in detection rate of various malware samples, earning its "AV-TEST Certified" seal.[68]

During a February 2018 "Real-World Protection Test" performed by AV-Comparatives, Windows Defender achieved a 100% detection rate of malicious URL samples, along with 3 false positive results.[69]

An AV-TEST test of Windows Defender in October 2019 demonstrated it provides excellent protection both against viruses and 0-day / malware attacks.[70]

On December 1, 2021, AV-TEST gave Defender a maximum protection score of 34 points after successfully managing to detect ten out of ten ransomware samples in a lab test.[71]

[Brainpox]

McAfee is awful by modern standards and paying for it is basically a scam at this point. Stick with Windows Defender and you'll be fine.

[Jamescrs]

Microsoft defender is all I use on my own laptop and have no issues, I say that with the caveat that I also give it very little use and don't visit any sketchy websites either.

As a rule I don't even do any banking on my laptop, I use the App on my phone

[Dave Hedgehog]

Captain_Morgan said:

The foc default in built Microsoft one that comes with windows is fine.

indeed

but if you must have one, panda free AV is decent, you can disable the odd popup it gives you

https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/free-an...

if you want to pay bitdefender is the best

https://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Friday 24th March 14:04

[plasticpig]

For paid I would go for Sophos Home https://home.sophos.com/en-us

[Rivenink]

Depends on your needs.

For home use; Windows Defender works just fine.

For business use, you'll want a paid for solution with additional management features.

[wol]

plasticpig said:

For paid I would go for Sophos Home https://home.sophos.com/en-us

Seconded.

[bitchstewie]

Defender is pretty decent these days but just as important is don't do dodgy st on your computer and run a supported operating system and keep it and your browser up to date.

No antivirus is going to save you if you're using Internet Explorer on Windows XP and go looking for midget porn.

[ARHarh]

I have only used defender for years now, probably 10 years. Never had an issue in that time.

[98elise]

As others have said, Defender is fine these days.

[the-norseman]

I'm not a Windows user (Linux/Android) but my work machine which is supplied by a large government backed organisation only has the built in stuff running on it.

[popegregory]

Hi all, has this advice changed in 12 months, or can I happily cancel Norton and not give them the £89.99 they’re keen to take from me next month?

[xeny]

No. Yes.

[popegregory]

• inserts “like” emoji

[popegregory]

Hi all, Nortons now cancelled and I’ve looked at the Defender and it seems to be set in accordance to what Norton told it to do. Can I leave it like this or do I need to alter any of the settings before my computer gets e-aids?

[I am alright Jack]

popegregory said:

Hi all, Nortons now cancelled and I’ve looked at the Defender and it seems to be set in accordance to what Norton told it to do. Can I leave it like this or do I need to alter any of the settings before my computer gets e-aids?

"I’ve looked at the Defender and it seems to be set in accordance to what Norton told it to do"

If I understand you, you still have Norton installed although wont be active after your subscription ends.

Personally I would uninstall Norton immediately or you may find it pesters the life out of you after end of subscription, and of course you really don't want it on your machine.

[popegregory]

I am alright Jack said:

popegregory said:

Hi all, Nortons now cancelled and I’ve looked at the Defender and it seems to be set in accordance to what Norton told it to do. Can I leave it like this or do I need to alter any of the settings before my computer gets e-aids?

"I’ve looked at the Defender and it seems to be set in accordance to what Norton told it to do"

If I understand you, you still have Norton installed although wont be active after your subscription ends.

Personally I would uninstall Norton immediately or you may find it pesters the life out of you after end of subscription, and of course you really don't want it on your machine.

Thanks, I shall do. But do I need to do anything with the defender settings or does it know what it’s doing and is best left alone?