Best Anti-Virus Program? Should I get two?
Hi:
I need a good anti-virus program. I DO NOT NEED Lifelock or anything like that. Some companies are now piggybacking other products into their anti-virus packages and are charging too much.
Should I get two products? This would be for my home desktop and my laptop (both are running Windows)
I need a good anti-virus program. I DO NOT NEED Lifelock or anything like that. Some companies are now piggybacking other products into their anti-virus packages and are charging too much.
Should I get two products? This would be for my home desktop and my laptop (both are running Windows)
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Why don't you use Windows Defender? It's built-in, free, and listed among top antiviruses. I have never had an issue with the new WD.
Windows Defender is since Windows 7 sufficient enough. Comparing the detection rate of different AV products do not reveal big differences. Then only positive thing about WD is, that it had fewer sever security issues itself in comparison to other snake oil.
The only time, where multiple AV products are of use is when you need to do a in depth scan. But this must be done from a RO device. Here I use the ct'desinfect by the German Heise Verlag. A Linux based live CD/DVD/USB distro with different scanners.
But there are also some on Win PE.
The only time, where multiple AV products are of use is when you need to do a in depth scan. But this must be done from a RO device. Here I use the ct'desinfect by the German Heise Verlag. A Linux based live CD/DVD/USB distro with different scanners.
But there are also some on Win PE.
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Hi Bill Prew:
What kind of router do you have that does blocking?
What kind of router do you have that does blocking?
Untangle for Home use provides router based antivirus. You can build one easily enough or you can buy one from them. www.untangle.com
Otherwise, I agree - use Windows Defender - there's no good reason a home user should buy any other product at this time and in my opinion.
Otherwise, I agree - use Windows Defender - there's no good reason a home user should buy any other product at this time and in my opinion.
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If you're concerned about browser security, then you should consider using Chrome or Firefox with uBlock and uMatrix to restrict data to first party data, This reduces the vector for web attacks.
i also use and recommend the use of Windows defender - sufficient for home and stand alone use.
Companies may want to have another product.
Don't forget that AV does not protect you from other malwares, and even thes who do, just like with virus- only protect against know ones.
Do you have a specific reason for "the best AV" ? if not, the answer shows above
Companies may want to have another product.
Don't forget that AV does not protect you from other malwares, and even thes who do, just like with virus- only protect against know ones.
Do you have a specific reason for "the best AV" ? if not, the answer shows above
I concur with the recommendations to stick with the built-in Microsoft security. However, if you want a "2nd opinion" I can recommend Malwarebytes to identify any PUPs, etc which may otherwise be overlooked. Be sure to disable any real-time protection or trial option in the Malwarebytes settings and use the free version on an occasional "on demand" basis.
I use Bullguard it has AV and Malware protection as well as Network intrusion notification. As others have mentioned Windows Defender has come on leaps and bounds but personally I wouldn't trust it entirely.
I also agree with @Mike, having the free version of Malwarebytes and use it on an adhoc basis is a good idea.
I also agree with @Mike, having the free version of Malwarebytes and use it on an adhoc basis is a good idea.
mbam is only good AFTER you have been infected imo
Best Anti-Virus Program?
The best antivirus is the user itself.
Technical people will generally be more prudent than others and here the build-in Windows defender is considered good enough as a general antivirus software.
So for your home material the standard Windows defender is probably enough.
For business end-users we propose Bitdefender as high-quality antivirus product and usually one of the best in the tests.
If you do want a serious in-depth antivirus solution on your home computer too, imho Bitdefender is a good choice.
Should I get two?
It is not a good idea to install two antivirus products on one PC as it will become complicated to debug problems, and it will slow down your PC a lot.
On the other hand for companies it is a good strategy to combine different antivirus products in the complete flow of your network: If you have an antispam system or a firewall system with antivirus build-in, it would be an advantage that the different products use different antivirus systems as multiple levels of defence. So if one antivirus doesn't catch the virus the other one might. Sometimes an Internet provider at home already offers antivirus built-in in their mail server services (Free or at extra cost). If you do prefer a more advanced antivirus system on your home computer it also makes sense to choose another technology then the one your provider already uses, as several levels of defence.
It can be handy to have Malwarebytes (mbam) ready in case an infection occurs, but I would not install it permanently.
So if one antivirus doesn't catch the virus the other one might.The last comparison I've seen on this level showed that the "top" products are pretty even.
The biggest risk are 0-day to 5-day exploits, cause they all need time to update the signature files.
And the the heuristics of all products failed miserably on newer vectors.
(a survey of ct / Heise Verlag, Germany)
i recommend to have regularly an image backup, so you can reinstall everything in say 1/2 an hour, in case you get infected
it takes usually less time for image reinstall, than for scanning with a couple of scanners
it takes usually less time for image reinstall, than for scanning with a couple of scanners
>> The biggest risk are 0-day to 5-day exploits
true, and this is where bitdefender is top.
>> i recommend to have regularly an image backup
absolutely i'm a big fan of this strategy too with Veeam Agent or Synology Active Backup,
because RTO (Recovery Time Objective) is what really counts.
true, and this is where bitdefender is top.
>> i recommend to have regularly an image backup
absolutely i'm a big fan of this strategy too with Veeam Agent or Synology Active Backup,
because RTO (Recovery Time Objective) is what really counts.
ASKER
Hi Ste5an:
What is an RO device? What is a distro?
The only time, where multiple AV products are of use is when you need to do a in depth scan. But this must be done from a RO device. Here I use the ct'desinfect by the German Heise Verlag. A Linux based live CD/DVD/USB distro with different scanners.
But there are also some on Win PE.
What is an RO device? What is a distro?
The only time, where multiple AV products are of use is when you need to do a in depth scan. But this must be done from a RO device. Here I use the ct'desinfect by the German Heise Verlag. A Linux based live CD/DVD/USB distro with different scanners.
But there are also some on Win PE.
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