So our McAfee licenses are coming up and I am trying to decide if I should bother with a commercial anti-virus product or not. I don't see really that one is better than the other, that commercial ones are better than free ones. The only difference I really see is the amount of tech support you get for commercial ones v. free ones (none, I think).

What do you think? On my Win7 machines I am still using McAfee bu on my Win10 machines I am using Windows Defender (which I hear is just as good as McAfee or any other commercial one). I use AVAST on another Win7 machine but I'm not so convinced it is effective and it keeps popping up windows bragging to me about how good they are. Annoying.

Thoughts?

v6,
boNes

Avast bought AVG and both have the same problem with pop ups..I went to windows defender and am happy with that

I use Avira, seems to work well.

Got to https://ninite.com/ and try them all.

👏👏👏👏



Nice first post, but no commercials please.
You can remove the signature, or I can.....

Murphy.

Very satisfied (4 years now) with all 6 of our laptops/desktops using Norton Security. Norton has blocked an infected download more than once over the years and I've never had an infected file using Norton but also i wouldn't put my internet activity in the "risky" category

My take on security is that you do not secure any system with just one option. A single option is a single point of failure. Anti-virus software are glorified "black list" checkers of known malware/virus/worms/etc. Recently many AV software add some gimmicks but that is what they are, gimmicks. Educate yourselves on how your machine works and you will understand how to secure it without gimmicks. You do not need to be a geek, like me, just have plain and simple computer "common sense". Some years ago I posted basic computer security best practices for Windows 7 and much of it can still be applied today. The strongest AND weakest link to system security is and has always been you.

I have had good luck with Norton, Malware-Bytes, Spybot, and CC Cleaner. I also use AdBlock and Privacy Badger. I would like to see your post about W7 THX-1138, I'll have to see if I can find it.

Been a Avast user for so long. Its quite simple to turn off any pop-ups they generate by using the their settings options menu and turning off the many annoying noises and pop-ups.
Have never been invaded once you learn to turn on the right stuff.

I don't have any of that stuff - it's just a scam to make money.

I just use common sense, like only going to trusted sites, like ones with models in artistic photography ending in .ru (I think it stands for Reliably Uncorrupted).

Norton is free with my Comcast internet. The only thing I have spent money on is the Malware-Bytes.

Avast seems to be the best if you can work past the pop-up issue.

I haven't really had a virus problem since I stopped downloading music and gaming mods though.

So many options...it almost seems as if it's a waste of money to go with a commercial AV prog....

Thanks for the input.

v6,
boNes

Once my current license expires, I will most likely just stay with Windows 10's own Defender. Heard good things about it. And when commercial AV publishers complain about Microsoft putting a significant dent in their business model, it can't be half bad.

Yes, I can vouch for that! Those nice Russian models are also very friendly and want to be friends with you on Instagram and Facebook.

I've gone with the free Windows ones on Win7 and 10 for the last few yrs and with common sense ie not opening stupid attachments, spam emails etc I've had no problems - I use Firefox - not sure if that makes a difference too?

I've been using Windows Defenderfor the last few years. Absolutely no problems.
After using System Mechanic's IOLO anti virus for years, I was leary of switching.
But after hearing good reviews from SimHQ members, I took the jump.

Let's face it. It works, it's free.

Windows Defender user here.

The problems with anti-virus products are manifold:

- Microsoft's software security personnel head count is higher than any AV software total company staff. Therefore prefer MS Defender, Security Essentials
- AV are prone to software bugs themselves and add therefore an unnessary exploitable gateway for malware into your computer. The smaller the AV vendor, the more exploits possible (f.e. insecure sandboxing). Therefore prefer MS Defender, Security Essentials
- [edit: point added:] 3rd party AV runs counter Microsoft's own security measures in Windows. They try to give processes privileged access on deeper levels of the software hierarchy which MS normally shuts off from user access/malevolent outsider access. Therefore prefer MS AV products.
- Newer is better. Therefore Win10/Defender is way better than Win7/Security Essentials

- Install Microsoft EMET (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit) in addition to AV:
EMET Link 1
Download EMET from Microsoft

- No AV could prevent WannaCry, they are useless! Prevention comes from: 1. Software updates! 2. No-Script-Add-Ons for your internet browser! 3. Ad-blocker! 4. The rest you've heard ad nauseam. Just use it wisely and thoroughly!

A combination of Vipre (AV and firewall - paid), Malwarebytes (free for basic) and CryptoPrevent (ransomware protection - free for basic) work well here.

Kaspersky user here - 3 years running with no problems at all.