Anti Virus

[Vipers]

Morning all, can anyone recommend a free anti virus, I have heard there are some out there, was using Norton but getting expensive, cheers.

[Buttery Ken]

For what OS? If you're just a sensible home user then I'd recommend just using the one built in to your OS (if Windows or MacOS)

[dxg]

I use the free version of Avast on the mac.

It used to be that macs were largely devoid of this sort of stuff, but not so these days. It's also flagged a few dodgy websites (no, not those - this morning it was one for 'unrolling' a twitter thread - should have been innocuous but, according to avast, was trying to run some dodgy scripts).

[Mr Pointy]

Windows Defender seems adequate, if you are running Windows.
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

[mmm-five]

I only use the built-in offerings on both W11 and MacOS 26.

But I use adblockers/scriptblockers too so that I don't get dodgy pop-ups/ads from dodgy sites/pistonheads.

[vikingaero]

Unless you particularly like looking at naughty sites then the likes of Avast/AVG Free are fine.

[toon10]

I stopped paying for McAfee and use the free Avast One on my Windows 11 laptop. I already pay for Nord VPN so didn't need the VPN from McAfee anyway. Not had any issues with it.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Mr Pointy said:

Windows Defender seems adequate, if you are running Windows.
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

indeed, Defender is fine, no need to install more bloatware

[Vipers]

Buttery Ken said:

For what OS? If you're just a sensible home user then I'd recommend just using the one built in to your OS (if Windows or MacOS)

It’s for Windows on a PC, 11 I think.

[Vipers]

vikingaero said:

Unless you particularly like looking at naughty sites then the likes of Avast/AVG Free are fine.

Ha! Thanks but not for the sites I need,

[butchstewie]

I'd say for most people an ad-blocker is probably as much of a priority.

Unless you deliberately go out your way to click dodgy links or do dodgy stuff Defender is pretty good these days.

Minimise the chances of doing that by using a good ad-blocker and keep Edge/Chrome up-to-date (they should do this automatically) and you should be in a pretty good place IMO.

[Vipers]

Thanks for all the comments, will be looking at them

[any old iron]

Free AVG is good, also has a digital shredder.

[Vipers]

any old iron said:

Free AVG is good, also has a digital shredder.

Thanks.

[cobra kid]

I thought this stuff had fallen by the wayside over the last few years. I was surprised when my brother in law was paying for Norton again.

[dundarach]

Buttery Ken said:

For what OS? If you're just a sensible home user then I'd recommend just using the one built in to your OS (if Windows or MacOS)

Absolutely, I'm not sensible and have never 'yet' faced trouble.

Backup, backup, backup

Discs fail!

You don't need anything more these days.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

If you are on Windows, use the free Windows Defender over any other free option.

This is my day job.

[MikeGTi]

GiantEnemyCrab said:

If you are on Windows, use the free Windows Defender over any other free option.

This is my day job.

+1 to both points.

No need for anything additional.