Abraham Deutsch
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is it a good idea to install third party antivirus software?
Based on a lot of research I did I found that Windows Defender is doing pretty good job in the latest testing on protection. and have benefits over third party antivirus that it uses less resources. and even more the browser developers claim that third party extensions in the browser make it less safe their some who will argue that it's is much less effective from third party software, but if you look on the ones who back their conclusions based on test like AV-Test Institute London-based SE Labs AV-Comparatives and more will say is doing pretty good).
For example
Former Firefox developer Robert O'Callahan, says that antivirus software is terrible you should uninstall your antivirus software immediately, unless you use Microsoft's Windows Defender, which is apparently okay.
A couple of months back, Justin Schuh, Google Chrome's security chief, said that antivirus software is "my single biggest impediment to shipping a secure browser, except for Windows Defender.
Back in December, Google-employed security researcher Tavis Ormandy discovered that the extension adds a large number of new JavaScript APIs to Chrome when it’s installed and that “many of the APIs are broken.” Aside from exposing your entire browsing history to any website you visit, the extension offered many security holes for websites to easily execute arbitrary code on any computer with the extension installed.
“My concern is that your security software is disabling web security for 9 million Chrome users, apparently so that you can hijack search settings and the new tab page,” he wrote to AVG. “I hope the severity of this issue is clear to you, fixing it should be your highest priority.”
and on top of all this many claim that antivirus is dead
for example
In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Symantec’s senior vice president Bryan Dye said antivirus software now catches only 45% of “cyberattacks”.
The Journal has a explanation that he has a business motive to say so but he is not the only one
I am wondering if it is a good idea to install third party antivirus software?
Note I am not sure but think endpoint protection may be better but did not yet find data to back this.
Please Advice.
For example
Former Firefox developer Robert O'Callahan, says that antivirus software is terrible you should uninstall your antivirus software immediately, unless you use Microsoft's Windows Defender, which is apparently okay.
A couple of months back, Justin Schuh, Google Chrome's security chief, said that antivirus software is "my single biggest impediment to shipping a secure browser, except for Windows Defender.
Back in December, Google-employed security researcher Tavis Ormandy discovered that the extension adds a large number of new JavaScript APIs to Chrome when it’s installed and that “many of the APIs are broken.” Aside from exposing your entire browsing history to any website you visit, the extension offered many security holes for websites to easily execute arbitrary code on any computer with the extension installed.
“My concern is that your security software is disabling web security for 9 million Chrome users, apparently so that you can hijack search settings and the new tab page,” he wrote to AVG. “I hope the severity of this issue is clear to you, fixing it should be your highest priority.”
and on top of all this many claim that antivirus is dead
for example
In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Symantec’s senior vice president Bryan Dye said antivirus software now catches only 45% of “cyberattacks”.
The Journal has a explanation that he has a business motive to say so but he is not the only one
I am wondering if it is a good idea to install third party antivirus software?
Note I am not sure but think endpoint protection may be better but did not yet find data to back this.
Please Advice.
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It is good to have third-party antivirus, but at the time of selection, it depends who find the latest viruses first.
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Thanks all experts by confirming what I found strange after so many years of knowing third party is a most, I would never feel comfortable to accept this without your confirmation.
@ Fred Malwarebytes I understand you install since antivirus will not take care of PUP plus it does not install any extensions to any browser, but why would you install SuperAntiSpyware
@ Fred Malwarebytes I understand you install since antivirus will not take care of PUP plus it does not install any extensions to any browser, but why would you install SuperAntiSpyware
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Thanks for the comments — very helpful!
I agree with John about using Malwarebytes manually. Note in my earlier comment how I configure it for my customers. I'm not a fan of too many security products or functions running in the background.
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@ btan lot of anti-virus vendors like semantic and more offer now endpoint as you explain this is another security league will this change you back in favor of the third party software? But endpoint [except MBAM still installs extensions in the web browsers which according to developers it makes it less safe Thy still should concern the web browsers
Also in re to Malwarebytes, having two anti-virus installed on one computer is highly not recommended since thy fight each other, and because of this If you install a third-party security solution, Windows Defender's antivirus component goes dormant, to avoid any conflict, but this is not the case with Malwarebytes saying that this does fall in the category of anti-virus. Plus as I already pointed out Malwarebytes is the only protection (as far as I know) against PUP
Also in re to Malwarebytes, having two anti-virus installed on one computer is highly not recommended since thy fight each other, and because of this If you install a third-party security solution, Windows Defender's antivirus component goes dormant, to avoid any conflict, but this is not the case with Malwarebytes saying that this does fall in the category of anti-virus. Plus as I already pointed out Malwarebytes is the only protection (as far as I know) against PUP
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>> Running it manually after I've been infected and having it detect the infection doesn't float my boat. << i agree Joe, but since there's no 100% protection possible ( they makee it after a new threat appears) you Always need an "AFTERSCANNER" imo
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The only thing I am missing after removing the anti-virus and it's browser extension is when doing a search online the anti-virus will mark which website is safe.
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Thank you all for you sharing you knowledge on this important topic it's a major change and before I would not take this in production without you confirmation, and thanks for the additional information you offered.
appreciate.
appreciate.
Sorry, I missed your question about superantispyware. A few reasons, one it checks for installed but potentially unwanted programs and its flags tracking cookies. It also includes some tools to help restore functions some malware may have messed up, like reset windows logon shell, or reset url prefixes, or enable system tray or enable start menu run and many more. On infected machines I clean, I often find that each of them MBAM and SAS find some items the other does not. MBAM of course is very good at stubborn malware, and many rootkits.
ASKER
Thank you fred for your clarification
I noticed some people using MBAM after the fact to uninfect. While thats possible I always reload the machine from scratch at the first wiff of an infection. If your in a place that you can reload it is always a better option than attempted "removal" that offers no guarantee's.
To be clear, reload means wipe the partitions (all of them) and reload windows from scratch with new partitions. Plus its a nice time to throw in a SSD to replace an old spinning disk.
To be clear, reload means wipe the partitions (all of them) and reload windows from scratch with new partitions. Plus its a nice time to throw in a SSD to replace an old spinning disk.
but, after you reload ... you restore your data, that's what needs to be scanned.
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