Windows 10: Free alternative to Windows Defender?

For selection: Kaspersky Security Cloud Free and Avira Free Security Suite

Considering only these two programs, which one would be better? Without assuming that the Defender is actually good enough. (Use it yourself)

Which one would be better, especially in terms of protection? And why?

And please take only these 2 programs as answer possibilities. I did not ask anything else. Save yourself answers like "The Defender is enough". That was not asked!

:)

 

Good alternative to Windows Defender on 8.1

I had to do a format and reinstall on my main rig, and thought I may as well upgrade to 8.1. My only real gripe is my Downloads folder lagging like hell, which I've read is due to Windows Defender. Now I really like MSE/Windows Defender because it's unobtrusive and lets me do what I want to do without pissing me off. Several attempts to try another antivirus program have always resulted in me going back to MSE (either due to viral infection or general annoyance). The lagging, while not an issue per se, is annoying the hell out of me. So I'd like suggestions for a good, free alternative that will be unobtrusive, not try to block everything I want to do (I'm smart enough to know what I'm doing), and not make my PC lag even when running a schedules scan.

Thanks.

 

Better free alternative to microsoft defender?

Yes. Even the best solution is easily bypassed if the user opens the door and lets the bad guy in. Besides users not being "click-happy", it is critical to keep Windows and the security programs current.

When it comes to paid programs, Malwarebytes Premium is the only one I recommend. And the good news is (besides it being cheaper than most) is it plays well with other programs, including Windows Defender. For my less savvy clients, friends, and relatives, Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium is what I recommend (along with regular reminders to not be "click-happy) and there have been no problems. For the more experienced and disciplined clients, friends and relatives, WD and Malwarebytes Free works.

Regardless the primary solution of choice, everyone should have a secondary scanner for at least periodic (at least weekly) on-demand scanning. And I generally recommend Malwarebytes for that.

If you choose to add Malwarebytes Premium (the real-time version) as a secondary solution along with Windows Defender, make sure you go into Malwarebytes > Settings > Application and scroll down to "Windows Action Center". Then ensure "Never register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center" button is ticked. This will ensure Windows Defender does not step aside, the default action when an alternative real-time solution is installed.

-1 for Kaspersky. The product is good, but the Russian infiltrated company cannot be trusted. That's not me talking: Google it.

 

Better free alternative to microsoft defender?

Windows Defender, Bill?

Yeah. Same thing. Definitions to stay up to date on threats of course, but thats really just a list of tricks and signatures.

You don't have to be. You just have to be smart enough to break their shit. You can take it apart and reverse engineer it and marvel later (I was impressed by a clients just recently). It's not hard to be up to date enough to keep malware a.) mostly off your machine in the first place and b.) limit it's damage when it does appear to your machine via network and best practices.

Some may call my approach inconvienient, but it DOES work.