I am a big fan of Webroot. Small and unobtrusive.

CypherExile:

 

In my case I'm using Windows 10 Professional with Malwarebytes free version for the occassional check up and ESET as main antivir software.

 

AVG free is worth a look. The nagging to buy the full product is not too intrusive compared to some others.

CypherExile:

 

I'm in need of some opinions rather than straight up help advice.

I have recently set up a new computer for myself and I am struggling to pick the least intrusive and most efficient antivir to buy and install.
Buying on Kinguin so the price is irrelevant in this comparison. What interests me is an antivirus that won't interrupt me with notorious popups, alerts or block access between software and games but mostly software.
I'm torn between ESET, Kaspersky and Bitdefender. Since websites with reviews tend to be biased and promote I figure I might ask for opinions from people that actually use the software and have some experience.
Previously I was running Avira then switched to ESET. However maybe it's time for a change. Appreciate any suggestions you may have.

 

Running these doesn't have any effect on my two computers performance, despite some Reddit users in the Windows 10 forum insisting it must make my computers run like crap.

I vote for ESET - I've been using it with Windows for 10 years + and have had no problems.

The catch? It is not cheap, and users are forced to buy from the NZ distributor at NZ prices.

ESET is very unobtrusive. "It just works".

I also use Malwarebytes FREE (I tried the payed-for version but found it very obtrusive - the free version only scans on request.)

IF IT AINT BROKE D'ONT FIX IT !

what is wrong with windows defender and firewall ?

like to see reasons for suggesting alternatives either free or bought.

Sideface:

 

I vote for ESET - I've been using it with Windows for 10 years + and have had no problems.

 

The catch? It is not cheap, and users are forced to buy from the NZ distributor at NZ prices.

 

ESET is very unobtrusive. "It just works".

 

I also use Malwarebytes FREE (I tried the payed-for version but found it very obtrusive - the free version only scans on request.)

 

Chilisoft are a good local company to support, A friend of my family owns it. No bias 

Eset antivirus I have used in the past and thought highly of it, Very light and unintrusive as others have stated. I would only suggest Eset as a paid option and for free Defender, Using your brain and Malware Bytes when you need to scan a USB drive or some downloaded stuff.

GEOMAX:

 

IF IT AINT BROKE D'ONT FIX IT !

 

what is wrong with windows defender and firewall ?

 

like to see reasons for suggesting alternatives either free or bought.

 

 

Because the cons at Noel Leeming scaremongerd the entire country into thinking they need something paid. 
Like you also need an extended warranty but completely disregard you're covered by the CGA to a greater extent than any silly paid warranty....

I definitely appreciate all the recommendations and opinions, might just have to make a spreadsheet to have it nice and tidy.
Most interesting is the support for the Microsoft security software, definitely didn't expect that and might actually test it and see how it feels on my computer.

I use Webroot at work. 

At home on a windows 10 machine I just use the Windows defender or whatever the standard Microsoft security product is called.  But I don't download many files from non-commercial sites, or do anything peer-to-peer. 

My riskiest activity is probably downloading apk files for side-loading onto android devices.

CypherExile:

 

I definitely appreciate all the recommendations and opinions, might just have to make a spreadsheet to have it nice and tidy.
Most interesting is the support for the Microsoft security software, definitely didn't expect that and might actually test it and see how it feels on my computer.

 

If you are using Windows 10, you already have Microsofts Security center installed. If you have no other anti virus software installed, Microsofts Security center will already be running.

GEOMAX:

IF IT AINT BROKE D'ONT FIX IT !

what is wrong with windows defender and firewall ?

like to see reasons for suggesting alternatives either free or bought.

 

Coil:

Sideface:

I vote for ESET - I've been using it with Windows for 10 years + and have had no problems.

The catch? It is not cheap, and users are forced to buy from the NZ distributor at NZ prices.

ESET is very unobtrusive. "It just works".

I also use Malwarebytes FREE (I tried the payed-for version but found it very obtrusive - the free version only scans on request.)

 

Chilisoft are a good local company to support, A friend of my family owns it. No bias 

Eset antivirus I have used in the past and thought highly of it, Very light and unintrusive as others have stated. I would only suggest Eset as a paid option and for free Defender, Using your brain and Malware Bytes when you need to scan a USB drive or some downloaded stuff.

CypherExile:

 

I definitely appreciate all the recommendations and opinions, might just have to make a spreadsheet to have it nice and tidy.
Most interesting is the support for the Microsoft security software, definitely didn't expect that and might actually test it and see how it feels on my computer.

 

You will not notice it running, it won't babysit your web browser, it won't scan everything you plug into your computer and cause un necessary lag spikes like some garbage paid applications do.
In this day and age a paid AV is a thing that is going out of fashion. Sure - if you need your PC to be baby sat go ahead.
Put it this way, The company that made the operating system you are using made the antivirus that fits it perfectly for free already built in. If that doesn't suggest something IDK what will.

+1 Windows Defender / Security Essentials 

Not only do I use it at home, but many companies use the managed version (still the same engine/definitions, just more control), including my former employer where we used it on 800+ servers without issue. The many thousand strong desktop fleet had Symantec AV and nothing but problems lol. Desktop fleet was going to be moved over eventually as well, as part of a larger migration from Altiris to SCCM. Current employer also uses it on a much smaller fleet without issue.