Windows 10: Do I need more security than Windows Defender offers??

I have an HP Pavillion with Windows 10. I had McAfee for a year until it recently expired. It is expensive and I want to know if I really need it. I am not a computer geek, quite naive actually. I do visit multiple sites a day, but have rarely ever download anything from sites McAfee alerts me to "not trust." I like that feature.


Does Windows Defender have that feature also? And is it sufficient for the average online surfer without having to pay for third party antivirus/malware protection software such as Norton or what I had?


Also, if I just use Windows Defender is there any other additional software recommended to supplement it (that is if it doesn't deactivate WD altogether)?

:)

 

windows defender & security center services keep turning off


Are you running any other AV or did you have one running in the past? If you didn't use an uninstaller for the AV, then the remnants of it could be causing the problem. Normally any time you install an AV it disables Defender by default.

If you are getting any error codes please list those, that will be helpful in helping you.

As torre suggested, might be a good idea to do a reset or even a reinstall.

Reset Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

There are also some suggestions listed here:

Unable to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 7 / 8 / 10

 

Windows Defender Fails Malware Test

Naw... I'll just stick by Windows Server 2003 SP #1 fully hotfix patched (& current on that note), for now @ least, & doing what I do, to get THIS kind of security analysis score:





I never suck in virus' either! The 2 the times I thought I did, the past 15 years now? They were my own fault (running 2 antivirus once, & another I don't know WHAT caused it, or I can't recall specifics anymore) in "false positives"!

Ever since I started implementing a BOAT LOAD of things ANYONE can do, if they take 45 min. - 1 hr. running, or doing:

• BELARC advisor

• Using some security & speed oriented .reg file hacks

• gpedit.msc (altering various policies for better security)

• secpol.msc (hardening default security policies)

• lusrmgr.msc (hardening default userrights)

• regedit.exe (registry hive ACL rights)

• explorer.exe (NTFS rights)

• Turning off java/javascript & ActiveX/ActiveScripting in browsers

• Using Tcp/IP ports filtrating (easy to do in IP properties)

• Turning off Services I do NOT use that may have holes

• AntiVirus (AntiVir, NOD32, AVG, or Norton Corporate 10.2 edition (my favs @ least - I keep 1 resident, & one other as a 2nd opinion))

• AntiSpyware program (I like AdAware & SpyBot + use both, 2nd opinion stuff again)

• SEVERAL AntiRootkit programs (GMER, AVG, BitDefender, BlackLight, Rootkit Buster, Rootkit Revealer, AntiRootKit, Rootkit Hook Analyzer, Sophos - all many doctors opinions from what I feel IS the biggest threat out there now, rootkits)

• + using a hardware NAT firewall in combination w/ a software firewall (ZoneAlarm used to be good, & the native Windows firewall isn't bad, except for noting outgoing packets)

• Keeping up on Microsoft security patches to the OS & programs from them I use

• Being SMART about not opening email attachments & also using TEXT or RTF as my email reading format too

• After trimming services I do NOT use (& even the ones I don't as well, set disabled or not), I secure them ALL, per this thread:

Securing Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003 services HOW TO

• Using adbanner blocking HOSTS files (adbanners have been found to hold malicious code more than a few times the past 4-5 years now mind you)

*HARD TO BELIEVE ON THAT NOTE OF ADBANNERS HOUSING MALWARES IN SCRIPT & MORE?

CHECK THIS, DATED TODAY 02/21/2007:

Microsoft apologises for serving malware

APC's March 2019 issue is out now! | TechRadar

*Smile

* YOU DO ALL OF THAT? Yes, You CAN be safe online & use Windows, just takes a bit of work... 1 hr. implementing it all, & maybe another 1/2 hr. testing it (like when you secure services - I did a BIG list, but not every possible service under the sun, because I have not run them ALL!)

MS ships their Operating Systems 'generic' enough to run on anything FULL FUNCTION, right outta the box... this can be its 'problem' too!

APK

P.S.=> Funny thing is though, I don't think we'll EVER be "110% solid secure" unless we go OFFLINE... @ least not for another 5 yrs. or so & then I think we'll be REALLY close @ least!

Microsoft's taking the RIGHT steps, in the RIGHT direction in their apps & OS, & so are other vendors too... this is a GREAT trend!

Heck - funny thing is? Snort turned up a security hole the other day... a program you CAN use to defend yourself... mistakes & oversights get made is all, still now even.

Today? It's the "Wild West" still, not as bad as it used to be in the earlier days/decades, but still 'risky' to an extent... still in the Stone Age guys, you'll miss these days, when they are gone... apk

 

Windows Defender Security Center Won't Stay Open

Thanks @Hydrate! Followed Step 3 of Option 2 and rebooted ... problem solved!

I'll keep an eye on it for the next couple of days and if all stays good, I will mark this thread closed.