what security for my win 8.1 laptop

[charlysmom_dad]

Recently, I asked for help on this forum about replacing my xp laptop.
Thanks for all the help. I bought a toshiba with win 8.1, so far so good.

It came with 30 days of norton.
I had microsoft essentials on my old laptop, but that isn't available for 8.1. Appaerently, microsoft defender is the security for 8.1

Anyone use that?

I first became aware of microsoft essentials on this forum, so I thought
I'd ask what you all are using.

Thanks for any help.

[mlts22]

The first line of defense against the main attacks is the Web browser, so I'd first switch to Chrome or Firefox.

After that, it is a matter of he said/she said about what AV program works. I use Malwarebytes, but BitDefender and other utilities are just as good, and they shift positions in effectiveness every 3-6 months.

[Horizon170]

I just spent an hour with a COMODO Tech guy and he loaded COmodo and Geek Buddy for me and got rid of my Total Defense. 199 bucks for three years and I can call them anytine with any problem and they will help. This is for three computers so that is 22 bucks a year per computer if my abacus is right. LOL

[Horizon170]

strollin wrote:

Horizon170 wrote:
... On one Old laptop I download the free COMODO and it seems to be pretty good. The Lady that offers it used to have a Radio Talk Show on Saturday mornings. Can't think of her name.

I believe you are thinking of Kim Komando. She may have recommended Comodo software on her show but the two are not related to each other in any way.

Thanks, I didn't know that. I thought COMODO was hers.

[strollin]

Horizon170 wrote:
... On one Old laptop I download the free COMODO and it seems to be pretty good. The Lady that offers it used to have a Radio Talk Show on Saturday mornings. Can't think of her name.

I believe you are thinking of Kim Komando. She may have recommended Comodo software on her show but the two are not related to each other in any way.

[1492]

Comodo AV is also highly rated for protection, but tends to be more resource heavy. Not as easy to setup as Bitdefender, but includes a firewall with sandbox environment called virtual kiosk.

The sandbox mode is also included with standalone Comodo Firewall.

[Horizon170]

Does anyone besides me use Total Defense, security suite? I pay #79.00/year for 3 computers but am looking for something cheaper. On one Old laptop I download the free COMODO and it seems to be pretty good. The Lady that offers it used to have a Radio Talk Show on Saturday mornings. Can't think of her name.

[1492]

deandec wrote:
Windows Defender is supposedly the best AV software for W8.

I have used it for a year. It updates quietly in the background and has been very effective. Plus it is from the W8 software developer.

Really? According to whom? Not from major independent security testing organizations who rated Microsoft's free AV at or near the bottom for protection? And not from Microsoft themselves who admitted that their own free AV software is just basic protection for other software developers to build on, when questioned why their security software performed so poorly, compared to other AV software suites.

Look for yourself from one notable independent security organization test reviews of WIN 8 AV software. BTW, scroll to the very bottom to see how Windows Defender protection compared to other AV applications tested. Now compare it to Bitdefender which is top rated, lighter on computer hardware resources, and available for free.

[deandec]

Windows Defender is supposedly the best AV software for W8.

It is not useable until you remove all other AV software including the trial versions that come on the new computer. (Microsoft's deference to the computer manufacturer's who get some revenue by placing the trials on their equipment.)

I have used it for a year. It updates quietly in the background and has been very effective. Plus it is from the W8 software developer.

My wife has W7 and free McAfee AV from ATT. It seems to always be updating and slowing her machine. I listen to her complain.

[oilslick]

We are using the windows defender that came with 8.1, my internet provider has a virus protection included in the price but we were told that the windows defender is all you need and it doesn't slow things down.

[docj]

OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
Kaspersky is a good one but I pay for mine, it does everything, I get it at bestbuy, never seen it at walmart.

I've been using Kaspersky for years; you can buy and download right from the Kaspersky website. I buy a 3-computer license which handles all of my needs.

[charlysmom_dad]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I knew I asked the right group. It's all very helpful. I even understood a lot of it. (lol)

[Campfire_Time]

Just use something free. Don't pay for it. While some will try and tell you that one is so much better or worse than another, they will all miss the latest threats. Malware has become very sophisticated. You may not even know its running on your machine.

Depending strictly on anti-malware software is sort of like thinking your house is protected by the cheap little lock on your front screen door. You best protection is to remove the malware magnets. Uninstall Java, replace the Adobe Reader with PDF Exchange Viewer or something similar. Remove Flash Player unless you are addicted to YouTube. Remove the Adobe Shockwave player, hardly anyone needs it anymore.

Replace your ISP's DNS entries with OpenDNS for your DNS service. They filter out known malware websites.

You should do these things even if you run a MAC. Just because MAC aren't targeted as much does not mean they are immune.

[wa8yxm]

Not a fan of payed anti-malware

Firewall. None better or more annoying, than Zone Alarm, There is a free version, NOTE this program not only blocks INCOMING attacks but asks for permission before it will let a program call out as well. This is why it is most annoying You have to approve most programs that wish to access the internet. This has enabled me to find infections in computers in the past (When the mal-ware tried to "Phone Home" Zone alarm told me about it).

Anti-Other stuff (Virus et-al) AVAST or AVG FREE backed up with Malware Bytes.

(You run malware bytes manually) There are other good Anti-malware programs too but those get good reviews. I like having two different ones on board One runs in the background all the time,, The other I fire up manually from time to time.

[RoyB]

charlysmom&dad - I love my older DELL M90 high end Workstation laptop setup here. I use this with a DELL DOCKING Station which supports DUAL Monitors and external keyboard/mouse, speakers, and different I/O units.

The beauty is I can just just grab the M90 Laptop out of the docking station from the house and set into a similar setup including printer in the RV Trailer and allows me to carry all of my things with me on the trips in the one M90 laptop. I also carry three or four different USB hard drives with me that has alot of my other hobbies on them like photos, drawings, Family Research, etc...

Changing to another computer will be a bummer for me. However I'm hoping all of my stuff will run on WIN 7. It may end up costing too much like you have indicated getting everything compatible again with what I have to use here...

I am planning on experimenting on a second M90 I have here that is used for my HAM RADIO interface to learn what I have to do to upgrade Dell M90's to WIN 7 PRO 32-bit... The FULL BUILD WIN7 software is available for around $130 and up at a few places.. It does however require you to fully scrub the hard drive - not an upgrade... That part is scary for me too... Then you may run into video board, DVD player, and who knows what problems that doesn't like WIN 7.

Moving data files around is not fun... Might lose something in the process...

I originally got my DELL M90 laptops off of EBAY OFF-LEASE SALES and they only cost around $500 each back then ready to go on XP. The M90 Workstation is replaced by the DELL M6000 series now and their OFF-LEASE cost is around $900 each.

Sure is a mess having to re-do things that has worked so good for you over the years... gripes me big time...

Roy ken