Windows 10: View Poll Results: Which free antivirus will you prefer?

Hi Folks

even the mighty IBM say about 80% of computer intrusions is due to USER / HUMAN problems which can't be prevented or protected against in any way whatsoever by Software.

The best protection is YOU. If you are in a HOME environment most AV software apart from the standard Windows defender (W8 / W10) is simply a total waste of time.

Your time is much better spent on ensuring you use your computer intelligently, avoid being scammed, don't give any unnecessary information about yourself on social media sites, change passwords frequently and check very carefully before downloading anything. A lot of sites these days deliberately hide the real download amongst a confusion of green arrows etc. Uncheck any "special offers" or toolbars. Avoid also using 3rd party installers etc).

Email also needs to be handled carefully - don't open attachments from people you don't know and be careful of bogus sites like fake Tax refunds, Bank sites etc.

Avoid also in particular sites like DriverMax which offer to find outdated drivers and then want to CHARGE you for access to the download for the new ones (which is invariably FREEWARE from the manufacturers site - just needs a bit more searching). These sites are known as SNEAKERWARE. Offer you something free but charge you for the bit you actually want.

Security issues for HOME computers is vastly overblown these days if you follow those simple rules and learn what the current scams are.

(Corporate security is another issue -- but my remarks here refer to essentially HOME computers).

Cheers
jimbo

 

Yes, the old syndrome of feeling invincible behind the screen and keyboard. People do very foolish things they would never think of doing in "material life" but are happily engaging in virtual kingdom. How many would let complete stranger rummage thru their home but let some questionable entities "check" their computer for errors or mallware. Only a fool would open an unsolicited package left at doorstep but would happily open something on internet that has "Click here" button.
There are many other analogies between real and internet life and takes just a bit of common sense to make connection. You can't expect even police (antivirus) to take care of every security need and have to take reasonable steps to avoid everything, from being run over crossing the street to being robed or even murdered yet feel invincible and being reckless with the computer in front of you.
Even in the factory I had signs "Safety starts with YOU" plastered all over the place. Vaccine for Stupid has yet to be invented.

 

Defender + Malwarebytes Pro

I would also like to comment on the whole infection happen to user error 80% of the time, pure silly. So lets use free defender and $25 Malwarebytes or risk being the 20% of those who where not user error or hope we are not human and become apart of the 80%.

 

Hi there

Human error is CORRECTABLE - and NO software will prevent you from being scammed if you don't take basic precautions.

Windows defender (built in ) is sufficient for the rest.

A whole industry has built up around the threat of Computer Viruses --Hackers aren't so interested in this stuff any more -- what's more of a nuisance are those programs that change your defaults, come with "toolbars" or free offers or launch IE directing you to zillions of shopping sites etc.

A lot of these aren't actually "Malware" as defined by AV software --these can be perfectly legit but hideously annoying programs that AV software can't really defend against. ONLY YOU can do this by being extremely careful with what you download and what links you open in emails or even web sites.

Even downloading Music / Movies from torrents is safe as houses these days provided the file is a proper AVI/MP3/MP4/FLAC/MKV or recognized codec file as any "imperfections" in it will render the file as noise or unplayable with your multi-media software. (Don't load ZIP/ other archived files because that's where you COULD get an infection).

Here's a challenge for all you Computer Security Gurus.

Link me to an infected multi media file (must be a file with a proper codec extension e.g mp3). Now I'll download it on a separate machine with ONLY windows defender as security, play it with a multi media player - and whether it plays or not will see if it's infected my machine.

There you are -- Have a go.

Cheers
jimbo

 

So far no argument from me. The only good AV is the one that's between your ears.

Jeff

 

Hi there

All you "soon probably to be re-assigned" Security Gurus ==> anybody responded to my challenge yet.

BTW all my remarks ONLY apply to HOME networks / computers -- there's still all sorts of stuff that requires ENTERPRISE computers to be protected - but this requires probably real resources against determined people who have all sorts of reasons for "having a go" at large corporations.

Any HOME user here --you should SAVE YOUR MONEY -- there's 100% no point in PAYING for AV software any more and even the freebies don't do ANYTHING that Windows defender can't.

YOU and ONLY YOU (and any others) who use your computer are the BEST protection.

If I only got .50 CENTS (US) - not HALF a dollar but Half a cent for each person who thought malwarebytes could protect against the stuff I'd been complaining about I wouldn't be on the Forum but on a MEGA SIZED Yacht off the coast of Monaco lying in the Sun with Bikini clad damsels and nice glasses of all sorts of interesting drinks in my hand.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I am trying AVG2015 just to test , so far it fares better than AVG2014 *Smile

 

Cheers, Jimbo!

 

What you say may be true, however, both banks I deal with insist that they will not reimburse me for fraudulent internet banking transactions conducted in my name if I did not have third party internet security software installed on my computers.

At one stage one of the banks was even blocking access to internet banking if a "suitable product" was not installed.
Fortunately they did accept some of the free offerings like Avast.

 

Hi there

I'm surprised the Banks didn't accept Ms security - but judging by the total incompetence of Bank I.T systems and practices all around the world recently they probably would lose LESS money if they just opened their vaults and said to everybody "Help yourselves" instead of the total mess they got themselves (and US the taxpayers with TRILLIONS of dollars in bailouts) into and are still paying out billions in compensation.

A secure Banking system is an oxymoron like "Military Intelligence". !!

In any case most Banking Scams are HUMAN - people paying Scammers of one sort or another or erroneously signing up to mega expensive DD's (Direct debits) or what's worse are the "mandates" where Banks can take whatever they like and are almost impossible to stop. None of this stuff can be prevented in any way whatsoever by Any SOFTWARE -- Banking transactions are due to a HUMAN action - AV software is ANTI - VIRUS software -- that's not a FRAUD PREVENTION piece of software.

Banking Scams are as far as a computer is concerned a LEGITIMATE program or action - so all you "Experts" out there please tell me what AV has to do with fraudulent logons etc.

What you need also is a DECENT FIREWALL which is a totally different ballgame to AV.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I installed AVG2015 first day of Windows 10 TP and works fine *Smile

 

Staying with Defender with SAS and MBAM on the side until Avast is done daydreaming and start rewriting their antivirus for Win 10.

 

Or at least plug holes up.

 

Yes, it works but very slow in opening my email, may be it scans thoroughly, so I have gone back to Defender.

 

I'm actually using ESET. It's not free, but the license is for the machine, so if I dual-boot, I can use the same license on both OS instances. I have no problems so far.

One thing that I like about ESET is its firewall that warns me whenever something tries to access the internet. I believe that it is me who should be accessing the net, not programs on their own schedule. I have no idea why Acrobat has to access the internet when I am opening a local file to read. Therefore I tell ESET to block it. Same for everything else. Nowadays every little piece of software wants to be connected. I have no idea what are they doing and I don't like it. With ESET I can allow or disallow net access to my programs. Basically, it's that feature that makes me keep ESET. Perhaps other security software can do the same, perhaps not. Windows firewall cannot. I'm used to this one, but I'm sure everyone has their own preference.