Antivirus malware

I use Avast (the free version) that runs constantly.

I also use Malwarebytes (the free version) to run periodic scans. It will clean up stuff like adware, etc.

The main thing is to be careful where you click.

Windows Defender is fine. Thousands of variants are released every week. No one can keep up.

Part of my IT day job is system security. Anti-malware is not enough. Without going into a lot of detail, malware distributors go through great lengths to bypass your anti-malware software. You could be part of a botnet and never even know.

Augment your personal security with web filtering, either Bluecoat K9 or Open DNS. Better yet use both. I do. They can, and do, block known malware and phishing servers on the Internet. It's far more effective than signature based scanning that anti-malware software does.

I would not use the web without this extra protection.

Take a look at this independent security ratings site based on your version of Windows/Mac here.

coolmom42 wrote:
I use Avast (the free version) that runs constantly.

I also use Malwarebytes (the free version) to run periodic scans. It will clean up stuff like adware, etc.

The main thing is to be careful where you click.

X2. I've used Avast! (the free version) and MalwareBytes for years on multiple machines with varying operating systems. We've never had a problem.

Rob

1492 wrote:
Take a look at this independent security ratings site based on your version of Windows/Mac here.

Great advise as different antivirus programs do not perform evenly across all platforms. If you are running Win 10 Bitdefender is hard to beat.

To those of you with small business's with web sites make sure you have protection on your site as well. You don't want a customer to call and inform you that your site is redirecting to a porn site. Trust me, that kind of call will ruin your day.

ESET Nod32 is what we use at work on the servers and I have at home.

I used to have AVG (free) and Kaspersky on my PC's. They worked fine.

Since moving to Macs 8 years ago, I haven't installed any anti-virus protection and my computers don't bog down.

I'm a cheapskate, so I look for the free versions.

I used AVG for years until it got so bloated it slowed down my computers. I was amazed when I removed it.

Now using Bitdefender Free version and Malwarebytes free version. Seems to be working okay.

Windows Defender is among the lowest rated (if not the lowest rated) protection software per assorted experts and magazine articles.

Malware Bytes, Avast, AVG mentioned above and several others get high to top ratings, Zone Alarm is the top rated fire wall.

As a paid professional Paranoid (yes it was part of my job description) I believe that at Microsoft there is a contest.. programmers are paid a bonus for every "Back door" they put in based on how long it takes Hackers to find it.

wa8yxm wrote:
...As a paid professional Paranoid (yes it was part of my job description) I believe that at Microsoft there is a contest.. programmers are paid a bonus for every "Back door" they put in based on how long it takes Hackers to find it.

X10!