antivirus programs

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

I wouldn't skip using a security program any more than I'd skip my annual physical exam! :B

Ed_Gee wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

I wouldn't skip using a security program any more than I'd skip my annual physical exam! :B

I wouldn't any more trust a free AV program than I would a free doctor.

2oldman wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

I wouldn't skip using a security program any more than I'd skip my annual physical exam! :B

I wouldn't any more trust a free AV program than I would a free doctor.

All major free anti-virus (AV) packages that I'm aware use the same AV engine code base as their paid versions. You're getting the same AV protection, which is why I don't generally recommend the paid versions.

The difference being that the paid versions add additional security applications, or technical support. Many of which you can also get free by installing separate security apps.

deandec wrote:
If you have W10 operating system, there is one embedded in the system and available for free.

Windows Defender is now a full blown anti-virus protection system with W10.

I have used it on two PC for over 6 months with great results.

"Best" is sometimes the result of paid advertising

WIN 10 built in Defender has apparently made major strides in improving its protection, yet still ranks below industry standards compared to other AV packages, according to independent security testing organizations. Yet better than having no AV installed.

The free Bitdefender, AVG, Avast, and Avira all block more zero-day test malware, as rated by multiple "independent" security orgs. Not from advertiser based publications.

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

How would you know? Considering most malware, especially rootkits, are designed to be stealth, not easily detectable?

This kind of attitude presents a nightmare for many of us who work in enterprise IT. In fact, in many corporations, policy requires personal computers used to access enterprise network(i.e. email) to have a currently updated AV installed. And required by Federal Gov.

The weak link tends to breach the security of us all. Like the person who leaves the door unlocked.

1492 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

How would you know? Considering most malware, especially rootkits, are designed to be stealth, not easily detectable?

How would I know? Because my computers are running properly and my bank account hasn't been drained. How do you know your AV is working properly?

I don't understand the question.

Apparently, you don't understand? Just because you aren't seeing suspicious activity on your personal accounts, doesn't mean you're not breached. You're system could be used as a remote zombie to push malware or spam to the rest of us. Especially, if you don't know what to look for?

2oldman wrote:
I have been using nothing for 12 years and have been clean.

x2, except only about 4 years for me.

The best windows anti-virus protection IMO is never running in administrator mode unless absolutely necessary, which is for some curious reason not the default configuration. I do run Malwarebytes occasionally and have had no hits since dumping administrator mode and dumping the anti-virus software. In the meantime, I clean a virus off of somebody else's computer about once a month, all of them running user mode with anti-virus software.

1492 wrote:
You're system could be used as a remote zombie to push malware or spam to the rest of us.

maybe I'm the cause of all the downtime.

road-runner wrote:

The best windows anti-virus protection IMO is never running in administrator mode unless absolutely necessary, which is for some curious reason not the default configuration.

Yes, in fact, not too long ago, a report of WIN users indicated that over 90% of malware infections could have been prevented by not using an admin account when connected to the web.

However, AV software is just one layer of protection. Your first line of defense being your browser/email client for most users. Which is the reason to keep these updated, along with browser plugins and extensions.

Malwarebytes Free is one of my favorite utilities. However, its an after the fact resource. Meaning that if it discovers malware, you've already been breached. Better to prevent malware from establishing itself in your system in the first place, then having to deal with it after you're already infected?