Anti Virus advice/Help

[David H]

Hi All

I'm just setting up my new laptop and need a general concensus on which Anti virus to go for.
For years I was happy with Kaspersky, but when the Russian thing kicked off my morals led me to leave Kaspersky.
Whilst, I'm aware that Defender now is far better, I'm thinking that it's not enough on it'd own.
On my old laptop I have Norton 360 (and I still have a spare licence) but I've become increasingly annoyed with Norton and its never ending attempts to sell its utility suite. I don't need the irritating back up either. (It's like a virus in itself constantly demanding it needs you to do scans , back ups et.
I'm going round and round in circles looking on the Web, with every (mostly American) sites offering conflicting advice.
Just wondering, what other pc specialist customers are using. Whether free, anti virus alone or suites. ??
Any suggestions etc. would be very useful.
Thanks everyone
David

 

[DarkPaladin]

I generally stick with Windows Defender and MalwareBytes (disabled at startup and only use it every couple of weeks). I've never had an issue with viruses from using those two.

 

[Rakk]

Same suggestion as DarkPaladin from me as well - Windows Defender with the occasioanl malware scan from MalwareBytes (the free version)

 

[David H]

Many thanks rakk and DarkPaladin.
Funnily enough I was in fact considering MalwareBytes. Is the free version rather limited though. ?? Or is it good enough.
Thanks again
David H

 

[Martinr36]

Windows defender, the majority of the others are close to what they are fighting

 

[Scott]

Many thanks rakk and DarkPaladin.
Funnily enough I was in fact considering MalwareBytes. Is the free version rather limited though. ?? Or is it good enough.
Thanks again
David H

The free version doesn't offer real time scanning. I wouldn't use real time scanning anyway as Defender does it's own real time scanning.

Defender and a malware scan for me too. There's really no need for anything more and you're no more protected from zero day than anything else anyway.

The biggest threat exists between the chair and the keyboard unfortunately. Good habits with your site considerations etc and using a software firewall for the PC and a hardware firewall (Router) for the network should see you out of the reach of most people who would target individual users.

I would be less worried about antivirus and more about your habits and backup rituals etc, they can have a far greater impact

 

[David H]

Hi Martinr

Yes, I agree with the fact that you need to need to be Are of what you're actually doing.
I dont tend to visit any dodgy sites and take care of my own backups.
I've still got Norton on my Mobile and Tablet.
Is that necessary. ?? (Although I don't use all of the features.

Regards and thanks to everyone

David H

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi Martinr

Yes, I agree with the fact that you need to need to be Are of what you're actually doing.
I dont tend to visit any dodgy sites and take care of my own backups.
I've still got Norton on my Mobile and Tablet.
Is that necessary. ?? (Although I don't use all of the features.

Regards and thanks to everyone

David H

Norton is malware these days and best avoided at all costs.

You can only use one active scanner at a time, so just defender with free malwarebytes to do manual scans once a week or so