Choosing between antivirus software best suited for Windows

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#2021495 23-May-2018 22:45

Robert O’Callahan had some fairly strong opinions on the matter too.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/ex-top-mozilla-dev-to-windows-users-ditch-all-antivirus-except-microsofts-defender/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/anti-virus-wortless/

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#2021589 24-May-2018 09:10

lNomNoml:
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.

Simple really, the first thing you would do if you wrote a virus would be to get around Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is kind of like using a sock as a condom, it's better than nothing.

Where did that gem of false information come from?

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#2021694 24-May-2018 11:22

Technofreak:

lNomNoml:
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.

Simple really, the first thing you would do if you wrote a virus would be to get around Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is kind of like using a sock as a condom, it's better than nothing.

Where did that gem of false information come from?

Most such criticism of Windows Firewall and Windows Defender do not reflect their usefulness. You can get better products if you pay the money but if you really dislike interruptions/advertisements then they are excellent.

Most problems I've seen are due to user behaviour rather than the quality of their antivirus product. Most people I know are low-risk users which is why I know many people who don't use AV products. Most are on Linux but many are on Windows and they've had no problems in doing this for more than a decade. They've also avoided the increased risk from adding another attack surface to your computer. Avast, AVG and other AV vendors have introduced vulnerabilities to their users' systems particularly from their web browser add-ons but also from their drivers and APIs.

Lias

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#2021737 24-May-2018 11:57

lNomNoml:

Simple really, the first thing you would do if you wrote a virus would be to get around Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is kind of like using a sock as a condom, it's better than nothing.

Do you work for an AV vendor and are mad that your product is mostly irrelevant now? :-P

1101

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#2021747 24-May-2018 12:06

Hammerer:

Most problems I've seen are due to user behaviour rather than the quality of their antivirus product.

Yes. That .
Thats why some users PC's get re-infected over & over again.

Malware gets past everything now.
So Pick AV thats reliable , that doesnt trick you into paying for worthless addons , and doesnt use scareware popups.
And pick AV that doesnt autorenew via your credit card regardless if you want it or not.

lNomNoml

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#2022268 25-May-2018 09:39

Lias:
lNomNoml:

Simple really, the first thing you would do if you wrote a virus would be to get around Windows Defender.

Windows Defender is kind of like using a sock as a condom, it's better than nothing.

Do you work for an AV vendor and are mad that your product is mostly irrelevant now? :-P

No I just work in IT and see the same argument time and time again saying free / no AV is better than paid, it's simply not true.

Time and time again people get hit by viruses such as Cryptolocker and the sort and didn't have a decent AV solution and wonder why.

Just because you have not got anything due to either being lucky or "common sense" doesn't mean the next person won't. Users all use their PCs differently and the same rules don't apply. No company in their right mind would rely on a free basic built in AV solution as Windows Defender to protect their network and data.

I would never recommend Windows Defender at any business or user who needs their data or bank accounts secured, you'd get laughed off the job very quickly. The only exception to this rule would be for the sort who simply did not care or for the old granny who switches on her PC to go check her bank account and then switch the PC off.

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#2022270 25-May-2018 09:54

lNomNoml: I would never recommend Windows Defender at any business or user who needs their data or bank accounts secured, you'd get laughed off the job very quickly. The only exception to this rule would be for the sort who simply did not care or for the old granny who switches on her PC to go check her bank account and then switch the PC off.

I think you need to check Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security and update yourself on what Windows Defender for businesses is now. Also Windows Defender for consumer incorporates a lot of the technology from its business side.

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#2022276 25-May-2018 09:58

NZ Consumer magazine rated Bitdefender highly in their April 2018 issue reviewing antivirus software. (Not sure how much faith to put in their wisdom.) Bitdefender however is quite expensive when you have to pay an annual US$ price in NZ$. Am using their free version which also got a good score from NZ consumer.

Edit: Consumer April 2018 issue (not February)

Oh no, not another end of the world prediction

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#2022324 25-May-2018 10:47

lNomNoml:

No I just work in IT and see the same argument time and time again saying free / no AV is better than paid, it's simply not true.

& time & time again I see PC's infected despite having Enterprise Level AV. :-)
Actually , its not as bad as it once was, but new malware gets past everything. And some paid AV is worse than some
Free AV's .
Thats why I use a free product(among others) when doing a cleanup (Malwarebytes)

Add to that the poor choice of AV product some IT companies use... sometimes even their own techs will say its not very good.
Sometimes free products are better. Sometimes .

I do agree Defenders detection rate is too inconsistent month to month. MS have a really bad history with their
lacklusture consumer AV products, going back many years .
Defender cant be relied on to clean up infections. So why use a product that cant clean your PC.

lNomNoml

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#2022331 25-May-2018 11:08

freitasm:

lNomNoml: I would never recommend Windows Defender at any business or user who needs their data or bank accounts secured, you'd get laughed off the job very quickly. The only exception to this rule would be for the sort who simply did not care or for the old granny who switches on her PC to go check her bank account and then switch the PC off.

I think you need to check Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security and update yourself on what Windows Defender for businesses is now. Also Windows Defender for consumer incorporates a lot of the technology from its business side.

Sorry yes that is a good solution I was refering to the normal run of the mill Windows Defender in my above post.

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#2022339 25-May-2018 11:22

lNomNoml:

Time and time again people get hit by viruses such as Cryptolocker and the sort and didn't have a decent AV solution and wonder why.

I have notice that Windows (10) Defender has a Ransomware Protection category now. Not sure how long that has been included or how effective it is.

Anyway... Happy with Windows Defender...

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#2022476 25-May-2018 14:30

Windows Defender + Malwarebytes + Horse sense

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#2022504 25-May-2018 15:33

lNomNoml:

freitasm:

lNomNoml: I would never recommend Windows Defender at any business or user who needs their data or bank accounts secured, you'd get laughed off the job very quickly. The only exception to this rule would be for the sort who simply did not care or for the old granny who switches on her PC to go check her bank account and then switch the PC off.

I think you need to check Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security and update yourself on what Windows Defender for businesses is now. Also Windows Defender for consumer incorporates a lot of the technology from its business side.

Sorry yes that is a good solution I was refering to the normal run of the mill Windows Defender in my above post.

Which is literally the same program with a few less features and the same definitions as the business one.
Ya point is?
This isn't Windows Firewall in XP....

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#2022520 25-May-2018 16:06

I recommend Eset NOD32 for sure. With a few tweaks it is very effective, and also very light and unobtrusive. IMO it's the best AV available.

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#2022861 26-May-2018 10:50

I have had a good read again but dont see any users actually saying some problem with windows defender found by something like Norton NPE or Malwarebytes etc caused them to look elsewhere. Would like to hear from them here.

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