Which antivirus program?

I've used Norton in the past and found it satisfactory. However, I now use the built in program "Windows Defender". It's free with Windows 10. I haven't had any kind of infection since. I also scan my PC occasionally with Malwarebytes(free version) and Super antispyware. No problems whatsoever. FWIW, I also use a VPN for added protection (Tunnel Bear).

If you know how to discern suspicious sites from innocuous ones and take care, a simple anti-virus program like Win Defender should do just fine. But if you have difficulty discerning, or if you just plain don't want to bother learning how to, then locate yourself a more superior anti-virus program.

Lynn

Windows Defender should already be installed. Just need to remove old and re-boot. Defender should start by it's self.

I use windows defender combined with malwarebytes.

Windows Defender is not the best, but no anti-malware is 100%

Check out Cisco's Umbrella. It is a DNS whitelisting service that does not allow your system to talk to known bad actors.

And of course, "Stop clicking on stuff"

I avoid the Norton/Symantec products like the plague. They are memory hogs, and almost impossible to un-install completely. Not to mention, expensive.

I use Avast Free. It's easy to use, updates often, and you can set how you want it to run. Don't click on the extra options, it will take you to the $$$ version.

I also use Malwarebytes Free. It doesn't run automatically, but it is easy to do manually. I do a scan about once a week.

I also use Ad-block Plus. Some sites want you to disable it, because they get their money from ads. That's OK, you can do it when you want. But it takes out a lot of annoying stuff.

The absolute best protection is to be careful where you click. Don't open links, or attachments, that come in email, unless it is from a known address, and something you would expect to get. Type in the address yourself. DO NOT play Facebook games. Don't look at porn. Don't click on any pop-up ads.

ksg5000 wrote:
I use windows defender combined with malwarebytes.

X2

trb46 wrote:

ksg5000 wrote:
I use windows defender combined with malwarebytes.

X2

X3 I wouldn't use Windows Defender by itself. Iv'e seen Malwarebytes stop a good deal of stuff that Defender missed. For a good number of years the two top rated antivirus have been BitDefender and Kaspersky, but Windows Defender is much improved over the past decade.

coolmom42 wrote:
I avoid the Norton/Symantec products like the plague. They are memory hogs, and almost impossible to un-install completely. Not to mention, expensive.

X2

Malwarebytes doesn't stop viruses. Defender doesn't stop malware.
Lastest tests show Defender is as good as any other antivirus program.
To call Defender "a simple antivirus program" is Extremely misleading and not up to date.