Do you still use Antivirus software on your latest hardware?

[Outback Bronze]

@R-T-B & @Bill_Bright please cool it or points will be given.

I'm not going to clean up the thread just yet.

Thanks.

 

[Kwadratowicz]

Bitdefender on pc (and even on phone), We've had ransomware in 2 PC and after that always I've got bitdefender on almost every PC, (I've got 20 licenses and I think 18 are in use.)

 

[QuietRiver32]

Not really. For everyday use, I just rely on the built-in Windows Defender. It's lightweight, gets the job done, and doesn't nag me every five minutes like third-party options. Unless you're downloading sketchy stuff or clicking random links, I don't see much point in installing extra antivirus these days.

 

[FairThunder]

Personally, I use Avast Antivirus on my laptop, and my phone is WAY too OLD to install anything, andI must say, Avast Antivirus is pretty good, for my entire life I haven't got a virus on neither of my computers.

 

[R-T-B]

@R-T-B & @Bill_Bright please cool it or points will be given.

I'm not going to clean up the thread just yet.

Thanks.

As said, I have no desire to engage further. Actually, I never wanted conflict at all, was just trying to state my thoughts.

 

[unwind-protect]

Personally, I use Avast Antivirus on my laptop, and my phone is WAY too OLD to install anything, andI must say, Avast Antivirus is pretty good, for my entire life I haven't got a virus on neither of my computers.

How do you know?

 

[AVATARAT]

Nowadays AV is a must. I use Norton 360 for all my PCs and phones.
I think @Bill_Bright explains it very well.
You only don't need AV if you don't have a PC/device, pff, your Android TV might get a virus...

 

[Frick]

Haven't used a discrete AV program since Microsoft Security Essentials became a thing (I count it as a part of Windows).

I was incredibly happy when I could ditch AVG and whatever. MSE was good, and so is Defender.

Anyway to add to the pile a while ago a specific Defender list (or whatever it's called) flagged Paint.net as a virus. So it definitely happens, not very often though.

If you mean performance, how is 5800X3D, 64GB RAM and Seagate Firecuda 530 4TB "a problem"? People keep saying this when my system can literally run anything smoothly and really fast and Windows Defender is still slow as dog shit.

I honestly don't see this problem at all, and I have not changed any settings. If you haven't used the computer in a bit (like if you only use the computer once a month to pay bills, but that's not you) it'll be slow, and if it's a really old computer it'll be prohibitively slow, because it'll also do a bunch of updates and stuff. What exactly is slow btw?

 

[PLAfiller]

As an average Joe, I have always been confused by the AV scene. Currently I have a 1-year subscription for Bitdefnder AV for 3 PCs and this is what I am rocking at the moment. However, when the year is over, I am unsure if I'd extend or switch to another AV or just be with Defender. So different conclusions in AV comparison reviews... And yes, this is one part of staying safe of course.

Wasn't Avast accused of data misuse? Has this been resolved? Are they still using users data without consent?

 

[GerKNG]

haven't had a single virus or password/account theft in my entire life.
i actively disable every protection nowadays.

 

[Splinterdog]

Only Defender, the rest are bloatware.

 

[Fokker]

As an average Joe, I have always been confused by the AV scene. Currently I have a 1-year subscription for Bitdefnder AV for 3 PCs and this is what I am rocking at the moment. However, when the year is over, I am unsure if I'd extend or switch to another AV or just be with Defender. So different conclusions in AV comparison reviews... And yes, this is one part of staying safe of course.

Wasn't Avast accused of data misuse? Has this been resolved? Are they still using users data without consent?

Bitdefender is a solid option if you're going 3rd party. If you decide to stop paying, Windows Defender is good enough for most users if you're not actively going places where you can pick up the latest and greatest malicious stuff.

I haven't paid attention to Avast in a long time, but it looks like they got a slap on the wrist last year for selling user data.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I remain amazed that this is even a question, but that's just me.

Me too.

It's like folks claiming they are healthy and eat right so they don't need health insurance. Or they are good drivers so they don't need car insurance.

We need health coverage because thoughtless people who never wash their hands run around sneezing and coughing all over others when they know they should stay home. Or because they could be carriers and not know they are a threat. Or because cancer doesn't care.

We need auto insurance because there are careless, uninsured, unlicensed drivers, in a stolen car, texting, rolling through stop signs while high. Or because Bambi jumps in front of us and we are forced off the road. Or because recent rain obscured a pothole and we blew out a tire and broke the tie-rod, causing us to hit 3 parked cars.

So we need it because we cannot control the actions, or inactions of others, intentional or not. Unless, of course, nothing like that could ever, as in NEVER EVER happen to you!

flagged Paint.net as a virus

Hmmm, did you report it Microsoft?

Paint.net balked for me just now because I use an adblocker. But after I disabled AdGuard for that site, Defender let me in just fine. Perhaps it was a fluke for you that day, something else tagged it, paint.net fixed a problem on their end, or a thoughtful, concerned user sent Microsoft feedback through the Feedback Hub (available by default on all W10/W11 systems) and MS fixed it. IDK but I'm getting in no problem.

haven't had a single virus ... in my entire life.
i actively disable every protection nowadays.

And I ask again,

how would one know they are not infected if they don't use security software?

 

[Frick]

Hmmm, did you report it Microsoft?

Paint.net balked for me just now because I use an adblocker. But after I disabled AdGuard for that site, Defender let me in just fine. Perhaps it was a fluke for you that day, something else tagged it, paint.net fixed a problem on their end, or a thoughtful, concerned user sent Microsoft feedback through the Feedback Hub (available by default on all W10/W11 systems) and MS fixed it. IDK but I'm getting in no problem.

Nah it was solved with a Defender update. The site was fine, but the downloaded installation files were flagged and killed as trojans. Again, not common, but false positives do happen.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Nah it was solved with a Defender update.

I didn't try to download any files. I thought you meant you couldn't even access the site. In any case, the resolution may have been the result of some user or paint.net providing feedback to MS, or Defender itself reporting it. Or, since the security community shares malware data (not their proprietary algorithms) with each other, MS might have learned through a different solution provider. Either way, I am glad it got resolved.

Again, not common, but false positives do happen.

Oh sure. No solution is immune to them and for sure, they are annoying. But they are MUCH BETTER than false negatives!

Curiously, in looking at this AV Comparison, Avast, AVG, McAfee, Norton, Panda, F-Secure, Malwarebytes and Trend Micro (some of the big names) got some of the poorest scores for FPs. Panda had 25, Malwarebytes had 32, and Trend Micro had 52 compared to the average, which was 11.

Defender was tied with Kaspersky in 3rd place with just 2. VIPRE only 1, and Total Defense had a perfect 0 this go around.

Clearly, that is another example where paying (typically over and over again ) for expensive security protection gets you no better protection than with some of the free solutions. Oh well, that's for a different discussion.

Years ago, before Malwarebytes Premium went to a subscription fee price structure, I took advantage of their very last, lifetime license offer and bought several licenses at huge discounts ($10 each, if I remember right). And for sure, I encounter FPs with it rather frequently. Worse, IMO, is when they tag my "wanted" and totally safe programs as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs). That really irritates me.

I still like Malwarebytes and I do recommend the free version for supplemental, double-checking scans. But I would not pay for or recommend the Premium version today and that is in large part, due to the many FPs.

But, that too is for a different discussion.

 

[R-T-B]

Oh well, that's for a different discussion.

Actually I'd argue its very on topic and I too believe paying for anything beyond defender to be a fools errand. YMMV, but I've seen no good come of it, and plenty bad.

PS: I'm hoping we can move on from the previous dispute.

 

[QuietBob]

Norton 360 on the machines that see everyday use. Got a very good deal on a 36 mo. plan -- which is $2 per PC / year.

Microsoft Security Essentials on retro rigs running Win7. Getting updates on a regular basis.

AVAST Free on my WinXP rig. I use this machine to browse the web now and again. Would you believe that this software from 2018 still receives current AV definitions?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Norton 360

Sometimes, just having peace of mind and being comfortable/familiar using a tool is well worth paying for it.

Of course, that is exactly why Norton and McAfee (perhaps others) include free trial periods with many new computers - to get users comfortable and feeling safe with it so they will renew.

I'd be fine with that if they didn't use scare tactics to make folks think they suddenly will be compromised if they let the trial period elapse. Also extremely frustrating is how they also make it nearly impossible to completely remove those pre-installed products. But once again, those are for different discussions.

PS - Not sure I have seen a topic spawn so many potential off-topic discussions - but that's for a different discussion too!

 

[Pets4Ever]

Windows Defender + Ublock Origin, haven't had a Malware or PUP in forever

 

[ralfy]

Definitely. I think more malware are not detected and can remain in systems without users knowing it and steal data, can be activated without user interaction, can be found in legitimate software and sites, and can target embedded software. In addition, data can even be stolen or read outside devices.

That means not only do you need antivirus programs but even security programs with many features, including firewalls. Also, you need backup systems, patched and updated operating systems, password managers, and several authentication points.

 

[AleXXX666]

The AV is needed when it's actually purchased. Some other "free AV" with functionality same as built-in Win10/11 "defender" is stupid hw resources waste.

If user isn't stupid enough to click everywhere... you could ez pass by...

 

[avidgamer121]

nah i don't

back in 2020 i did get ransomware but i was lucky i had my media drive backed up just two weeks ago before that, so i escaped catastrophic data loss but tbh it was a silly mistake of mine running a shady executable which totally looked odd. Ever since i have never been infected i use windows 10 superlite by ghost spectre (stripped down custom iso) which has option for both defender and non-defender variant but i always do a clean install with non-defender one

 

[Frizz]

I do not simply because I do not keep anything personal on my computer nowadays its all on my phone, so if I get hacked I'll have an excuse to perform a fresh install, but its been almost 2 decades and I still haven't fallen for any scams yet.

 

[AVATARAT]

I do not simply because I do not keep anything personal on my computer nowadays its all on my phone, so if I get hacked I'll have an excuse to perform a fresh install, but its been almost 2 decades and I still haven't fallen for any scams yet.

If your computer is hacked and just used in a botnet for attacks - how will you know?

 

[Frizz]

If your computer is hacked and just used in a botnet for attacks - how will you know?

How would it get hacked if I dont download sus things in the first place? Know very well how to spot malicious downloads and if a source is fake. Beyond this I will let Windows Defender do its thing.