Anti virus?

[Closingracer]

I read a nice article where Anti Virus programs are more of a risk and expose users to exploits. Think about it, you give this program a lot of access, if a hacker finds an exploit in the code they can get in through this way. I think arstechnica had an article ages ago.

*Keep windows 10 updated. The built in virus scanner should be sufficient. The windows 10 version was actually rated pretty high compared to others.
*Don't download executable files that aren't from a good source and request administrator rights to run.
*Get only legit stuff. Pirated games are sometimes known to be injected with malware/viruses. Maybe not the original people that release it but it gets modified out in the world where it's spreading.
*Keep the firewall up. If you are worried you can go to advanced settings and add more rules as well as which apps have access to which network.
*Protect yourself with router, enable SPI in the router for more protection. Lock it down with no outside remote access a tough password and disable WPS for wifi.

Thing is I'll be using this device on my school's wifi so I would like an anti virus on it.

 

[v535]

WD and MBAM free are light on the system. WD on w10 does a decent job of keeping out viruses and since its baked into the OS, it performs better w/o any visible lags.

 

[ryland Johnson]

....

 

[Jazmac]

I'm back on forth on this anti-virus thing on my Windows 10 desktop. Windows Defender is there but in the past I always used the free version of Avast. I don't use the free version now mainly because it's become more of a nagware application than it used to be. If I had to choose a paid solution, I'd choose Kaspersky's Internet Security suite.

 

[Sedp23]

I use Avira

See how it compares to the competition

http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php

Sent from mTalk

 

[ioaniro]

If you're a somewhat advanced user (or well taught in using computers) the built in solution is the best. Use common sense on what to click and what to open and you'll never need another anti-virus.
If you lack some knowledge on security or you are buying the windows 10 device for someone less skilled (older parents/relative etc) I would recommend an antivirus that offers a "safe zone". Teach them how to use the computer online and to always use the safe zone for online banking and payments to trusted sites. Is not a bulletproof solution but works most of the time.

 

[Axeelant]

I was never a fan of a built in AV alone, so this time I installed Avira free antivirus that does the job, but like all other AV programs it is good for viruses only, that is why I installed the well known, best rated, long year free Malwarebytes program for malware. Very happy so far.

 

[Jazmac]

I use Avira

See how it compares to the competition

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Real World Protection Test Overview

Sent from mTalk

Looks like most can get the job done. If you absolutely need to get that final 2 to 5 percent, this chart might be helpful. For most those on Windows 10 Windows Defender should be more than enough.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

I read a nice article where Anti Virus programs are more of a risk and expose users to exploits. Think about it, you give this program a lot of access, if a hacker finds an exploit in the code they can get in through this way. I think arstechnica had an article ages ago.

*Keep windows 10 updated. The built in virus scanner should be sufficient. The windows 10 version was actually rated pretty high compared to others.
*Don't download executable files that aren't from a good source and request administrator rights to run.
*Get only legit stuff. Pirated games are sometimes known to be injected with malware/viruses. Maybe not the original people that release it but it gets modified out in the world where it's spreading.
*Keep the firewall up. If you are worried you can go to advanced settings and add more rules as well as which apps have access to which network.
*Protect yourself with router, enable SPI in the router for more protection. Lock it down with no outside remote access a tough password and disable WPS for wifi.

How do you know what is a good source and what isn't?
And the procedures for the router, how can I do that? The wifi router I have at home was set up by the company and I don't know how to change things

 

[mc511]

I use webroot personally. I have it on both by gaming desktop and surface. Pretty small and takes seconds to scan.

 

[peter leung 10586]

I read a nice article where Anti Virus programs are more of a risk and expose users to exploits. Think about it, you give this program a lot of access, if a hacker finds an exploit in the code they can get in through this way. I think arstechnica had an article ages ago.

*Keep windows 10 updated. The built in virus scanner should be sufficient. The windows 10 version was actually rated pretty high compared to others.
*Don't download executable files that aren't from a good source and request administrator rights to run.
*Get only legit stuff. Pirated games are sometimes known to be injected with malware/viruses. Maybe not the original people that release it but it gets modified out in the world where it's spreading.
*Keep the firewall up. If you are worried you can go to advanced settings and add more rules as well as which apps have access to which network.
*Protect yourself with router, enable SPI in the router for more protection. Lock it down with no outside remote access a tough password and disable WPS for wifi.

absolutely agree with you.

I never install anti-virus in any computer / laptop / phone.

 

[Jazmac]

AVG free has never let me down and far less intrusive than Norton or McAfree

The paid version also gives you data safe for hiding personal files etc and mounts like a drive for easy viewing, drag and drop etc

This is from the, "You Gotta Be Kidding me" file
Neowin reports: that if you use Chrome and AVG, AVG Antivirus my be exposing your browsing data

 

[TechAbstract]

Windows Defender. No popups and no compatibility issues. I run Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner once awhile.

 

[MrElectrifyer]

You do not need to purchase any additional Virus Protection on Windows 8/8.1/10 PCs, they all come with the following sufficient layers of security integrated. The order in which I list them is the order they will operate and give warnings to you as you go through your daily PC usage:

1.) Internet Explorer/Edge SmartScreen Filter, which scans websites you visit and files you download via Internet Explorer/Edge, and uses a dynamic database of known malicious websites/files on Microsoft's servers (a.k.a. the Microsoft CLOUD) to determine if the website and/or file you're downloading is safe. If anything is suspected it'll show a warning message in place of the website or once the file is downloaded.

2.) Windows Defender, which is an Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware/Anti-Malware itself. However, it's based on a local-only malware database, which isn't always up to date, that's what the next layer of security fixes.

3.) Windows SmartScreen, which scans files (from any source) and web content (be it via Windows Store apps or any other Non-Internet Explorer/Edge web browser you use), and uses a dynamic database of known malicious web content/files on Microsoft's servers to determine if the web content and/or downloaded file is safe to open. Again, if anything is suspected, it'll show a warning message in place of the web content or before the file is opened.

4.) Windows User Account Control (UAC), which is the last line of defence for every application you run on your PC (it's been there since Windows Vista). If ANY executable file (which is what every type of malware comes as, but not all executable files are malware) wants to run on your system, it'll alert you, requesting your permission (depending on what you configure it to). You can even configure it to request your password whenever an executable wants to run.

If you have all of the above enabled on your Windows 8/8.1/10 PC, you don't need to buy any other Virus protection. However, like any other security software, criminals are always on the look out for holes in them. The best and safest way to avoid any malware concerns is to simply think before you click. I've been practicing that for over 7 years now, and no malware has been able to beat that and make it to my system...coming from a guy who does a lot of torrenting...in fact, I personally think the Windows UAC security layer is too much baby sitting, and I confidently have it set to never alert me, 'cause I'm self-aware of what runs on my system, so, no need to tell me a second time, but that's just me.

 

[RiccardoPastena]

I wasn't a fan of Antiviruses but i am using latest Norton on my SP3 i5 and i found it really good. It's way better that it was years ago (intrusive and slowing everything down). Now it's fast and Pop-up are almost not there at all. It uses little ram and it does the job pretty well Identifying stuff that defender skips, plus i have it free so no choice to be made

 

[FirstWatt]

Why use anything additional to the Windows built in AV system at all, free or not, intrusive or not?

More than one supposedly knowledgeable here said that it is not necessary. I would never install anything on a PC which is not necessary.

 

[Pete]

If you're accessing the internet through a school WiFi network and using the device according to the school's internet usage policy, then there won't be any need of anything other than Microsoft's standard anti-virus/malware products.

 

[RiccardoPastena]

If you're accessing the internet through a school WiFi network and using the device according to the school's internet usage policy, then there won't be any need of anything other than Microsoft's standard anti-virus/malware products.

Yes i agree i understand AV only on shared computer. I would not install one but i have a wife that can't resist winning something for free and be so lucky to be the 1000000000 customer accessing a page

 

[Pete]

In which case, an Ad Blocker would be a good solution (if you're not using Edge...)

 

[Kaktusas]

I'm using free Avast antivirus because it is light and gives good protection against viruses especially when you download something from torrents and trying to install + once a month I do a system check with free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (it's not running in the background, so it's a great combination together with Avast) :smile: