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Kerrym

18 posts

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#295518 3-Apr-2022 15:58

I've been using Avast Preumium Security and so far have had no problems.

But I understand that Microsoft Windows comes with a good anti virus setting now. Can anybody enlighten me on that?

I think I tried to get it working previously, but because I already had Avast on my system, it didn't click in.

Avast is about to expire, and I'm keen to switch to the microsoft one, if that works because it doesn't cost any extra.

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#2896258 3-Apr-2022 16:04

Hi, Windows Defender or Windows Security as it is now known is baked in and has been for some years. As long as you have uninstalled any 3rd party AV and then gone into "Windows Settings > Update and Security" and ensure you have enabled it, then its all good to go.

Cyril

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#2896259 3-Apr-2022 16:06

As above..... Windows security has improved a LOT over the years. I've not run a 3rd party AV on this system for quite some time.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2896261 3-Apr-2022 16:11

Thanks for quick responses Cyril and Uber Geek. I've found myself here, and turned it on. Will it work okay with that - have I done enough?

I haven't yet removed Avast, so should I now? My membership has about finished for the current pay period.

michaelmurfy

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#2896267 3-Apr-2022 16:46

I wouldn't recommend any AV software apart from the built in protection Windows offers these days. It is worth just removing Avast as IMO the built in protection is just better.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2896272 3-Apr-2022 17:03

Okay, I'm working through the system to remove it. Might come back to this in a day or two, as the computer has crashed in the middle of the removal (x4).

It does give me a QR code to follow up with, so hopefully I can resolve this later in the week when I have more time. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for the helpful answers.

freitasm

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#2896282 3-Apr-2022 17:35

Once you remove it Windows will notify you if you need to set anything else.

Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2896346 3-Apr-2022 18:27

Thanks all. I have managed to remove Avast. Took me a few tries as the computer crashed up to x8 before I found an internet answer on how to uninstall it.

Had to download something from them first, before I could remove it. Crazy.

But have been successful.

😄

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Delorean

651 posts

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#2896425 3-Apr-2022 20:55

I see a few have said not to use any third party AV.

What about having Malwarebytes running in the background with Windows still been the main AV

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insane

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#2896432 3-Apr-2022 21:17

Just remember that Microsoft Defender (built into Windows) is not the same as Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which is their enterprise grade offering.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2896861 4-Apr-2022 16:39

Kerrym:

Thanks all. I have managed to remove Avast.

Good job.
Some of those popular consumer AV's are literally not much better than the malware they protect against , with the dodgy stuff some of those consumer AV companies do (my opinion only) : eg scareware tactics to upsell , bundling cryptocurrency mining into AV (YES THAT)

Quite important :
you need to make sure they wont auto charge your credit card when the current annual subscription expires .
You may need to login to you avast a/c on their website to check that .

Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2896931 4-Apr-2022 20:16

1101:

Kerrym:

Thanks all. I have managed to remove Avast.

Good job.
Some of those popular consumer AV's are literally not much better than the malware they protect against , with the dodgy stuff some of those consumer AV companies do (my opinion only) : eg scareware tactics to upsell , bundling cryptocurrency mining into AV (YES THAT)

Quite important :
you need to make sure they wont auto charge your credit card when the current annual subscription expires .
You may need to login to you avast a/c on their website to check that .

Good points there. Yes, I did unsubscribe my card earlier so it didn't auto-renew. They did send a lot of scary emails about my lack of protection and in the past I would have renewed it instantly - before I understood about the Defender being part of microsoft now.

Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2896932 4-Apr-2022 20:19

Delorean: I see a few have said not to use any third party AV.

What about having Malwarebytes running in the background with Windows still been the main AV

I've kept that in. Seems to be a recommended standard - well, was in the past when I had a close connection to an IT person.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2897072 5-Apr-2022 09:20

NEVER have 2 AV/anti-malware programs running at the same time

NEVER

they will literally fight each other if malware detected & the PC will stay infected (Ive seen that)
Disable Mbytes from running in the background . Run it manually if you want to scan

Nothing wrong with 3rd party AV's , IF you pick the right one.
New Malware can get past all AV's regardless , and it does .

Kerrym

18 posts

Geek

#2897498 6-Apr-2022 10:08

1101:

NEVER have 2 AV/anti-malware programs running at the same time

NEVER

they will literally fight each other if malware detected & the PC will stay infected (Ive seen that)
Disable Mbytes from running in the background . Run it manually if you want to scan

Nothing wrong with 3rd party AV's , IF you pick the right one.
New Malware can get past all AV's regardless , and it does .

Okay, will take that advice then, and turn it off.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2897604 6-Apr-2022 12:02

Kerrym:

Okay, will take that advice then, and turn it off.

what happens is

one AV will detect the malware & try to clean it.
The other AV will ~see ~ that happening , think its active malware & block the first AV from cleaning / deleting it .

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