Windows 10: Meltdown/Spectre & Antivirus little Question

Hi All

Currently running Avast Free on all systems, Malwarebytes Free on all system as secondary scanner, now what i'm wondering is if i'd be safe if I choose to use Defender and Malwarebytes Free when Redstone 4 is Offical next month, as not sure if Avast slows things down or not, but do see ads from time to time, so debating on if gonna stay with it as I always done or finally stick with Defender on the Windows 10 PC's (3 of them)

Originally tested Windows Live One care way back in 2005/2006, and got a severe infection at the time (my own fault though) anyways been sorta nervous on sticking with Defender for protection ever since, but do want the best possible performance out of the system as possible, Am planning on updating bios for Spectre when released for the systems as i'll feel safer fully secure

:)

 

Windows Update Intel Patches for Meltdown & Spectre

URGENT - Please Microsoft:

1. Provide a List of Windows Updates that included the (bad) Intel Patches for Meltdown & Spectre (which Intel now say should NOT be installed).

2. Advise IF (and HOW) the Windows Updates that included (bad) Intel Patches for Meltdown & Spectre should be 'removed' by End Users?

3. If Microsoft Identifies (to it's Community) Windows Updates that included (bad) Intel Patches, can Users remove them - while still getting any other 'fixes' (that did NOT relate to Meltdown & Spectre) included in the Same Windows Updates that contained
the (bad) Patches for Meltdown & Spectre?

4. How do Users ensure that ant Windows Updates they remove - to 'eject' the (bad) Intel Patch for Meltdown & Spectre - are not 'automatically' re-installed' later - by Automatic Windows Updates, when Windows notices the 'removed updates' are not installed?

Note: I've looked at the Microsoft.com Descriptions of Numerous Recent Windows Updates and (although some refer to 'security') none seem to specifically mention Intel, Meltdown or Spectre - so I can't determine which Windows Updates included the 'bad' Intel
Patches.

 

Meltdown and Spectre

Windows Meltdown-Spectre patches: If you haven't got them, blame your antivirus | ZDNet

 

Malwarebytes Free edition is not a live scanner. You will have to manually scan with it.

If you are looking to dump off Avast Free, I would advise swapping over to Windows Defender. It will do a decent job for you.

As for the advertisements, use a tool like the MVPS HOST File to block ads: Protect and Stop Malicious Internet Advertisements - Qwerty Articles

 

Possibly might dump off Avast Free, knows Defender will do Decent, I know Malwarebytes Free is on demand scanner, and have to run it manually, might take the time to work on that possibly even tomorrow

 

Hi,
You might try Panda free.
Their downloads come from the same crapware adding service as Avast so be sure to uncheck the added crapware on the install options.

 

Will Remember to uncheck during install any optional options....Thanks so much for the replies, think will be fine hopefully lol, and just keep all other software up to date, and should be fine, and weekly macrium reflect image backups

 

As a working tech, I will not run Avast!

Defender is much better than it used to be, and with some FREE help, it will suffice. I use it myself and I like that it runs so quiet in the background, with NO ads, banners or pop-ups.
What help you may ask? Well, Malware Bytes is a good start, but it misses a lot, like Tracking Cookies that CAN be dangerous.
To eliminate those and some other PUPS, etc., I use Super Anti Spyware (free) and Spyware Blaster, also free.

I like Super Anti-Spyware so much, that I bought a Lifetime license for the program, and I have it set to run a daily update and scan.

Happiness is a Clean Computer!

Cheers mates!
*Cool