New Dell computer here and looking for a good antivirus program. Suggestions please
Anti Virus program
- Thread starter Eddie
- Start date
I use to use Kaspersky but started moving away from them 2 years ago and completely stopped using them this year due to Russian ties.
I now use webroot secure anywhere (free from ALLY bank). I've used it for the last few years and haven't had any issues whatsoever. Very good program.
I now use webroot secure anywhere (free from ALLY bank). I've used it for the last few years and haven't had any issues whatsoever. Very good program.
Windows default Defender protection and no others
I have Malwarebytes Browser Guard Extenstion on browser and it's FREE
Windows Defender has been what I've used for years, although recently I received a promo for Bitdefender which is installed on my network level for coverage of all devices. Seems to work well.
Spybot - Search & Destroy
Microsoft Security Essentials
Which is better Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials?
Windows Defender helps protect your computer from spyware and some other potentially unwanted software, but it will not protect against viruses. In other words, Windows Defender only protects against a subset of known malicious software but Microsoft Security Essentials protects against ALL known malicious software.
Which is better Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials?
Windows Defender helps protect your computer from spyware and some other potentially unwanted software, but it will not protect against viruses. In other words, Windows Defender only protects against a subset of known malicious software but Microsoft Security Essentials protects against ALL known malicious software.
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- Dec 4, 2021
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+1 on Windows Defender. My TP Link router also has its own firewall that catches all sorts of stuff from other people who visit and use my wifi.
Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials.
Remove any and all bloatware.
That includes the trial Norton or McAfee that is loaded on the machine.
A dell may come with enterprise or corporate set up which will eliminate the bloatware...
"Windows Defender helps protect your computer from spyware and some other potentially unwanted software, but it will not protect against viruses. In other words, Windows Defender only protects against a subset of known malicious software but Microsoft Security Essentials protects against ALL known malicious software."
This quote is from a 2009 blog post by Eve Blakemore.
From a year ago: https://askleo.com/difference-windows-defender-windows-security-microsoft-security-essentials/
These are the best malware testing sites I've found. They both rank Defender very high. I have stopped buying AV products, I believe I'm just as safe as with the expensive third-party AV products.
https://www.av-comparatives.org/list-of-av-testing-labs/
https://www.av-test.org/en/
This quote is from a 2009 blog post by Eve Blakemore.
From a year ago: https://askleo.com/difference-windows-defender-windows-security-microsoft-security-essentials/
Security vs. Defender vs. Essentials
- Windows Security is all-in-one security software included in current versions of Windows 10.
- Windows Defender is Windows Security in Windows 8. It was also the name of an anti-spyware-only utility prior to Windows 8.
- Security Essentials was all-in-one security software for Windows 7 and earlier.
These are the best malware testing sites I've found. They both rank Defender very high. I have stopped buying AV products, I believe I'm just as safe as with the expensive third-party AV products.
https://www.av-comparatives.org/list-of-av-testing-labs/
https://www.av-test.org/en/
If you are on Windows 11 the built-in Windows Security is all you need. It has been tested and reviewed many times and been found to be just as good as the paid and free third party AV's. Windows Security is integrated with the Windows operating system so it is the least likely to cause conflicts with your system. If on Windows 10 or 11 Home Edition you can unlock extra protection within Windows Security with the free Windows ConfigureDefender utility:
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/configuredefender.html
If you use Chrome add the MS Defender Browser Protection extension from the Chrome Store to integrate Windows Security and Smart Screen into Chrome. The free Malwarebytes Browser Guard Chrome extension works very well at keeping trackers and phishing and other bad stuff out of your browser. Use a good ad blocker like Ublock Origin or Adblocker Ultimate and keep the security-related extensions to a minimum.
Microsoft has a huge investment to protect in Windows. Windows Security works exceptionally well. The Windows built-in firewall is also very strong. Keeping the system updated, staying off bad sites and using good online hygiene will go a long way toward keeping the system clean and safe. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about antivirus and online security at malwaretips.com. It's sort of a BITOG type site for computer security.
https://malwaretips.com/
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/configuredefender.html
If you use Chrome add the MS Defender Browser Protection extension from the Chrome Store to integrate Windows Security and Smart Screen into Chrome. The free Malwarebytes Browser Guard Chrome extension works very well at keeping trackers and phishing and other bad stuff out of your browser. Use a good ad blocker like Ublock Origin or Adblocker Ultimate and keep the security-related extensions to a minimum.
Microsoft has a huge investment to protect in Windows. Windows Security works exceptionally well. The Windows built-in firewall is also very strong. Keeping the system updated, staying off bad sites and using good online hygiene will go a long way toward keeping the system clean and safe. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about antivirus and online security at malwaretips.com. It's sort of a BITOG type site for computer security.
https://malwaretips.com/
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Windows Defender has been getting incrementally better and it's likely just fine for Joe Home User at this juncture. I use ESET's commercial products, as they are a step above Defender (they will block malicious URLs that Defender doesn't, in my experience) but the cost may not be worth it for a home computer.
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Sandboxie
I haven't used a antivirus program in years, never an issue.
I haven't used a antivirus program in years, never an issue.
