Windows 10: is windows defender a sufficient security program?

I am used to using mac laptops, and recently had to purchase a windows laptop, which surprisingly I am fairly happy with, found it on fb market place.... it is a Toshiba, and it needs the ram upgraded, but other than that is is really decent now that it finally finished doing the updates to version 20H2. Had to get a windows machine for the job since we are being forced to work from home in Illinois due to an ALLEGED VIRUS..... I do not buy into any of the covid-19 propaganda at all, and in fact sitting inside the dunkin donuts by me in chicago typing this without any form of face covering and have done so since it started in march, mind you I am armed for the KARENS in the area at all times.

The question is, now the company is suggesting, they tried requiring aftermarket antivirus like Eset, but changed that to a strong suggestion when I said.... IT IS MY COMPUTER, MY TIME, AND I WILL DO AS i PLEASE WITH MY DEVICE, THIS IS JUST A JOB, SOMETHING TO KILL TIME WITH SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. I am the head weather forecaster for the McHenry county Emergency Management Office so..... without me they have no one.

Is windows defender sufficient enough as the sole security suite or do they have a point that I should be running an aftermarket thing like Eset? They suggested it, but will not pay for it so.......

:)

 

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 Christmas issue is on sale 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

 

microsoft security program

Whether you want to use Windows Defender or want to install another AV depends on your own preferences and habits.

Personally, I prefer a third party product.

No matter which AV you use, there might be situations in which you want to use other Anti-Malware programs for occasional, on-demand scans.

Suggestion to read:

• Choosing an Anti-Virus Program
• Safe Steps for Replacing your Anti-virus - Why should you use Antivirus
  software?
• Supplementing your Anti-Virus Program with Anti-Malware Tools

 

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