Virus protection programs

The only thing I will add is the use of something like CCcleaner.
It works in a different manner than malwarebytes and Norton and often will clean up problems caused by BS lurking in the background, and only needs to be used intermittently.

AVG and Malwarebytes, both free versions. Even if you buy them, run the free versions. Avoid bulk and overhead.

Win 10, turn off Defender Antivirus manually. *For some reason the later updates do not properly detect and disable when other antivirus programs are installed.

Only run ONE antivirus (except on-demand as needed) at a time. It is CRITICAL.

The anti-malware programs have limited effectiveness. They are only as good as their ability to keep up with the thousands of new variants that come out every week. When all is said and done none of these are much better than another. Just make sure you have one.

The best additional protection you can add is a web filter that is powered by corporate enterprise data. Good ones are Open DNS and Buecoat K9. Both are free and both maintain nearly real time lists of malicious websites and IP addresses discovered on the Internet. I would not surf the net without one or both of these.

I'm always highly skeptical of the "as seen on TV" type products. Most of those advertisements seem aimed toward the relatively uninformed users. But I cannot speak firsthand of the efficacy of this particular product.

On the subject of this.....what's the take on "PC Matic" the one you see advertised on TV all the time. If you believe the ad and some review's, it sounds pretty good, of course that's coming from me, not knowing much of anything computer related!!!

Used to be run two was a sure fire way to kill your computer. The two scanners would bog the disk down with so much activity the computer would become non responsive.

Virus is often incorrectly used as a synonym for malware, adware, etc.

I would stick to ZERO programs running all the time and maybe one or two you run as needed.

Here's a take on the difference between an anti-virus(Norton), and an anti-malware(Malwarebytes): Anti-malware or anti-virus?.

There's no problem running zero av programs.

Back in the days when I lead a very dangerous life.. HEX wise. (Moderator of some forums and IRC Chat Rooms) THe advice we had was to have at least THREE Different AV programs.

ONE TSR (Terminate and stay resident) This is a type of program (NORTON is an example) that runs in the backround, the user interface can be closed (Terminated) But the program continues to run (stay Resident) in the background.

Others that do this consist of just about every A/V program made so the list is too long to post.

The other two were "ON DEMAND"

As Moderator I would download a new upload. then scan it with at least 3 different programs (The TSR and the two on demand. and it's been long enough that the programs I used are no more, I use different ones now) then if it passed I'd run the program and if it passed MY tests (Not copyrighted, not already in the library) I'd make it live or download by others.

So yes it is ok to have multiple AV programs but I would suggest only one live (NOTE This does not count "Windows Defender" or whatever Microsoft is calling it now days. Since I have the next version of Win-10 (Yes the next update is already on this machine, I a subscribed to the beta list). I have two programs (Windows native A/V and my optional program)_ both running.. ( also use a 3rd Party Firewall (it is none of the above).. I tend to avoid All in one solutions preferring to maximize my protection by using multiple protectors.

And I do not post the names of the 3rd party software for security reasons.

One last comment: When the first Anti Virus programs came out (Norton and McAffee) I ask a question: Are they "Seeding the market" by releasing Virus programs to the net?

Well I have since run into an expert who assures me Peter Norton would not do such a thing... He also told me where the author of the "Do nothing but annoy" virus programs McAffee hired lived and worked.

So I would avoid McAffee.

Not sure any anti-virus program will "block" unsolicited emails. The problem with emails is not getting them, but opening attachments in them or responding to them.

A real good combination for me has been Avast anti-virus ( running full time) as our primary and Malwarebytes occasionally as needed.