Is windows defender enough

[ShiftZZ]

Or

What else should be installed?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Probably, but... .

I used to use Kaspersky Free as it was touted as being very lightweight on using PC's resources... however I got suckered into their "premium free trial" and it was a nightmare, in use and to remove [I still don't think I've got rid of it all]
Plus it's Russian

I'm now using Bitdefender Free, supposedly equally non demanding of system resources and supposedly fractionally better protection.

"While they got a 99.9% protection rate with Bitdefender, Kaspersky only managed 99.5%. This isn't a tremendous difference, but it still means that out of 736 test cases, four viruses got through. In turn, Bitdefender was awarded the Advanced+ rating, while Kaspersky only earned Advanced."
Windows apparently gives 98% protection which is pretty good but as there's better and equally free options...

 

[SpeedyDux]

I use kaspersky (paid version) as it is still supported for my Windows XP other computer.

 

[ctc]

Use the "off" switch as often as possible.

 

[TerryL]

Because the T&C's in my online banking apps say I have to have a proprietory defence programme I use Bitdefender after having tried the others. It works alongside Defender and has proved more than capable of stopping, or at least warning of, possibly dangerous programmes/attacks, occasionally a little too eager but it offers easy enough get arounds if needed. Doesn't seem to affect performance in any way.

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[GoldenVision]

You should also consider Norton.

 

[Pukka]

Eset, it the only av I have sold for the last 23 years.

 

[Brains]

McAfee is good
Bull Guard has been operating on my old PC since about 2007

 

[97243]

Avast Free Antivirus is the dog's doodahs

 

[Langtoftlad]

Eset, it the only av I have sold for the last 23 years.

sold ???

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[herald_400rl]

Windows Defender on Windows 10+ is perfectly adequate. If your not on Windows 10+, AV should not be your concern.
Good sense is required regardless due to zero-day and non-signature based malware.

 

[Pukka]

sold ???

Yup I own a IT company.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Yup I own a IT company.

Why buy an AV when so many free options for a basic home user?

 

[Gellyneck]

Dropped Avast (free) on machines running Win 10 / 11 and use Windows Security along with Malwarebytes (free).
In addition, use Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control to manage what has access to www and run AdwCleaner (free) regularly.

 

[MichaelT]

Most of the major broadband providers like BT SKY Virgin etc. give you free antivirus packages check with yours.

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[GJH]

Windows Defender on Windows 10+ is perfectly adequate. If your not on Windows 10+, AV should not be your concern.
Good sense is required regardless due to zero-day and non-signature based malware.

Exactly.
Perhaps the question should be "Is there any proven reason why Windows Defender isn't enough?".

 

[Pukka]

Home user or business user is no different. They first went after the big companies who then up their security, next came smb market, now home users. Is it easier to attack 1 business for a ransom or 100 home users.

Malware Protection Test March 2023

The Malware Protection Test March 2023 assesses program’s ability to protect a system against malicious files before, during or after execution.

www.av-comparatives.org