Forum Discussion
- Well this is another one of those endless debatable topics. I have had no virus or malware issues for 30 years now using only Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes premium. Cost is negligible. Works for me. I like youtube videos for auto repair, fishing and camping but not other. As we said in the Army opinions are like
- The reason I don't click on random links like this one! Best way to get a Virus.
- I never follow links like this on this forum. If the poster has nothing to say and there is just a blink link, I am not interested.
LouLawrence wrote:
The reason I don't click on random links like this one! Best way to get a Virus.
Ditto. And I don't follow mystery links either.- I did not watch the whole video, just skipped to a few sections.
Personally, I don't see an advantage of buying AV software, just use the one built-in Windows and Macs. However, AV software is just one piece of layered security and you should not rely solely on it for protection.
Foremost is keeping your OS, software, and browsers up to date with all the latest security patches.
One aspect I do agree with in the video is not to use the default admin account in Windows when connected to the Net. Instead, create a separate User account that prevents install of apps or changes in system files or permissions. There is a reason enterprise environments do not allow general staff admin accounts to install anything they want. Foremost is security of their networks and individual users.
Another advantage is to hopefully prevent users who fall for social engineering attempts, and allow malware to run. Likely the single biggest security threat, and one of the most effective tools for hackers. Just look at recent ransomware attacks.
Also note that AV software can represent a security threat itself if it ever gets breached. Typically because it requires elevated permissions in your system to run, which can allow a backdoor into your system. If you do the research, you'll find that top rated AV software have been compromised in the past due to vulnerabilities. - I used various commercial AV software for decades, but finally when MS came out with it's latest version and I saw all the positive reviews I just switched to Defender a couple of years ago and have had zero issues.
I do practice good av management,
never click on unknown links do not open any links in email that you did not expect
never click on a link with the .ru suffix
and just be generally paranoid, do not respond to suspicious messages from your bank as one example, or Microsoft
But I'm happey to save myself $50 or $60/year on AV software. I do have Malwarebytes but not the pay version. I do practice good av management,
never click on unknown links do not open any links in email that you did not expect
Hopefully, that means you clicked on the OP's link and you still don't know what it went to.- It's a Google YouTube managed shortcut.
1492 wrote:
It's a Google YouTube managed shortcut.
If you say so but YT links look like this: https://www.youtube.com/ not that link above- Try clicking the 'Share' link below any YouTube video and you'll be given the shortcut to copy.
