Antivirus Software

Well, I am trying to get a idea on different Antivirus Software to use.  Right now, I use Microsoft Security Essentials but I feel I am not getting enough protection.  So, I was wondering what everyone here uses and if your happy with it.  Even if its free.

Mountain

I've used a few over the years.  The one I used most was AVG, but even on the paid version I kept getting hassled by it to upgrade further - so much so that I uninstalled it even though I'd paid for it.

Norton was a nightmare - although it's been a few years since I used it.  To be fair it kept me really safe ..mainly because it was a nightmare just getting it to let me onto the internet :p

Currently I'm just using the default Windows Defender.  I also tend to use Firefox and adblock to help - there was a time where quite a few viruses/malware were somehow infecting computers via adverts on websites, and as they bug me anyway, adblock was the way to go.

There are a few listed here:

https://www.windowscentral.com/best-free-antivirus

I've always found Malwarebytes to be reliable and good too.  Although not strictly an anti-virus, it can get rid of stuff others can't.

I remember years ago, AVG was good until they made changes to it.  And as of Norton, also years ago, it would eat up you computer resources to a snails craw. They fixed that. But, I think all Antivirus Software programs should offer free versions. They don't. And many wont let you uninstall it, which I don't like. There are many Antivirus Software programs out there to pick from. I wish Microsoft would make a better one that works good. I run Windows 8.1 with Explorer 11. The old days need to return when computers ran good. I am 65 and I saw a lot of changes through the years. I bought my first (Apple) in 1988 and the rest is history. I have operated all windows since then.

haha if you're comparing computers ..I learned basic programming on ZX81's at school - we did "bubblesorting".  Seem to remember I did some sort of horse racing programme lol.  Or they could have been ZX80's .. can't remember.  I do remember our first computer at home was a Spectrum - loading games in by either typing them in or using a casette player :p

My first job involved an old green-screen IBM with Wordstar (and it wasn't really "green screen" ... it was black and white with a green mesh filter stuck on the screen :p)

Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender which is a fairly reasonable anti-virus if you're generally careful, and I know plenty of people who reckon that's all they need.  Personally I think as long as you're fairly careful, you're okay - having said that, I have actual anti-virus (AVG) installed on the kids computers because they'll click on anything.  I've put the fear of God into my husband though .. he asks my permission before he clicks anything :p

I remember using the cassette player to load stuff. It took forever if it worked at all.  I took computer classes in the 60's in high school. Well, punch cards stuff. A lot has changed. I ran a bbs for years in the 90's. Those were the days for sure. The kids have it made. They are born with phones and computers in there hands, lol. We really need to go back to the basics. That will never happen.

I feel like I'm going back to basics every time I get a new phone!  My OH got a new one for work today - they sent reams of instructions for it, which would have been cool if they bore any resemblance to what was actually on the screen (setting up some sort of special link with the office).  We got to the point where they were saying to open a setting that didn't exist - which is when I gave it back to him and told him to get his work to sort it out!

Punch cards .. blimey ... I think I've seen those in a museum somewhere!

Here's a useful comparison tool for Antivirus software. https://fatsecurity.com/tools/test-results-calculator

It looks like Bitdefender and Kaspersky are at the top of the list. 

Kyle

Ahh cool thank you.  I had seen that site before, but could never remember what it was called :p

"Avira" appears to come top, just, but I've never heard of it.  Microsoft is around 85%.

Well, Kaspersky is a Russia company which kind of turns me off. I don't know if I would trust my computer with Russian software.

Well, Kaspersky is a Russia company which kind of turns me off. I don't know if I would trust my computer with Russian software.