Free virus protection etc. for Windows 10 computer?

[Jingthing]

OK, I'm enjoying my new computer.

It came with a free trial of McAfee which seems good but now they are demanding that I subscribe.

I know there are free security solutions out there, but the hard part is choosing. 

I know this is kind of a boring, repetitive topic but what is the current best info on specific services to use?

Thanks. 

[Crossy]

For antivirus I use nothing more than the built-in security in W10 (Windows Defender) and an occasional scan with Trend Housecall (an online scanner).

 

I also run Superantispyware against malicious cookies etc.

 

 

[rossd]

Windows Defender works fine for me. Don't see the need to have a third party anti virus running.

[xylophone]

I did read a while back that Windows defender was just "adequate/basic" protection so tried a few other free AVs and settled for Bitdefender Free, which doesn't have pop-ups wanting me to buy this or that, and sits there in the background doing its thing.

 

Very happy with it.

[Daffy D]

Windows Defender for  day to day real time protection.

 

Once a week I run the free Superantispyware, Advanced System care, Glary Utilities and the free Malwarebytes. Just to clean the system out.

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

I did read a while back that Windows defender was just "adequate/basic" protection so tried a few other free AVs and settled for Bitdefender Free, which doesn't have pop-ups wanting me to buy this or that, and sits there in the background doing its thing.

 

Very happy with it.

A while back Windows defender was like you describe. But now Defender is rated as one of the best anti-virus programs at all.

There is absolutely no need to look at anything else.

[KhunBENQ]

No third party antivirus on my private PC since > 15 years.

As an "exotic" add-on I log on as a standard user for everyday use.

Seems Windows still does not support/hint to this prominently?

 

Edited September 2, 2018 by KhunBENQ

[pieeyed]

Windows Defender works fine. I run Hitman Pro. Alert which can help pick up some rubbish.

[1sickpuppy]

19 hours ago, Crossy said:

For antivirus I use nothing more than the built-in security in W10 (Windows Defender) and an occasional scan with Trend Housecall (an online scanner).

 

I also run Superantispyware against malicious cookies etc.

 

 

If you can afford a new pc you should pay for the best program bit defender total sequrity  can get for about 4 50 baht on ebay 1 device 4 years, do not go to there main site is a ripp off. i have it on 2 pcs works great, just follow the instructions he gives you he is from NZ. people who just use windows garbage have no idea, if you want use the web & torrents cover your ass, nothing in life is free

[Dario]

19 hours ago, Crossy said:

For antivirus I use nothing more than the built-in security in W10 (Windows Defender) and an occasional scan with Trend Housecall (an online scanner).

 

I also run Superantispyware against malicious cookies etc.

 

 

Crossy, Trend Housecall do you use the free version? Thanks for answering.

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, Dario said:

Crossy, Trend Housecall do you use the free version? Thanks for answering.

Yes, free version, I'm not even sure Housecall itself has a paid version 

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/index.html

 

 

[Dario]

Just now, Crossy said:

Yes, free version, I'm not even sure Housecall itself has a paid version 

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/index.html

 

 

Great, thanks! Installed already.

[grumbleweed]

Dump Microsoft

Not an antivirus, more a plan of action

However much you pay them it's never enough, they'll always be asking you to upgrade

With Ubuntu such anti malware is unnecessary 

Also all updates are done in the background, which eliminates the bi-annual "Please take a vacation while we install updates and note that your computer will never be the same again" episodes

All for everyone's favourite price FREE!

[Peterw42]

As others have said, defender is a good product nowadays, most AV programs offer a basic free version.

Any AV is only as good as what you say yes/no to, if it pops up and warns you about an executable/script from porn.com and you override the warning and run it , you can still get hammered.

The best AV is often common sense, if something usually costs money and its popping up for free, its suspect. Bill gates isnt giving away free money, and those free computer tune up programs are not tune up programs.

A couple of throw away email accounts for sign-ups etc, a great idea.

[worgeordie]

It all depends what you do on your computer,just surfing

safe sites,thinking before you click on anything,Windows security,

the new name for windows defender, plus a scanner like HitmanPro,

should do the job, 

 

If you are visiting P0rn sites,downloading from unknown sources,

click on anything that pops up,you are going to need an AntiVirus

that updates daily,several times a day.AVG,AVAST,KASPERSKY are 

free,myself I have used EMSISOFT  for 10 years and never had a

virus,its not free,but not expensive.

 

regards worgeordie

[helloagain]

Don't be a cheap charlee..........do a google search for the best top 10 for a starters, Kaspersky has been the best for the last 4 years that I know about, I also use with malwarebytes. I do not have problems.

[AaronC76]

Avast and Malwarebytes

[Henryford]

Yes i agree, Avast is fine. I also use Superantispyware which has picked up Trojans the others miss.

[Jingthing]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

Interesting comparison of Avast vs. Windows Defender favoring Avast for detection rate.

The downside of Avast seems to be system slowdown and popups.

 

https://antivirusinsider.com/windows-defender-vs-avast/

[upu2]

Defender which comes with Windows 10 is pretty good. There are better ones but you have to pay for them. If you do decide to pay for an Anti Virus program Bit Defender or Kasperski are the best currently available

[Sprigger]

Just installed HOME SOPHOS.COM free, after being ripped off by NORTON automatic renewal last year.

[transam]

I like 10Bit stuff, Advanced System Care Ultimate paid for  is amazing, also have loads of 10Bit free stuff on my PC...Also Ccleaner, SuperAntiSpyware free..

 

Now and again l do an online Malwarebytes scan, which just finds PUP's which l sift through.

[ThaidDown]

7 minutes ago, transam said:

I like 10Bit stuff, Advanced System Care Ultimate paid for  is amazing, also have loads of 10Bit free stuff on my PC...Also Ccleaner, SuperAntiSpyware free..

 

Now and again l do an online Malwarebytes scan, which just finds PUP's which l sift through.

Agree IOBit appears to make good software but you always have to wonder where they got it from. Would not touch them personally.

 

Agree ref Malwarebytes, Ccleaner and superantisptware.  Also use AdwCleaner(now also from malwarebytes).

For Win10 basis Antivirus then Win Defender should be enough.

 

 

[NoshowJones]

On 9/2/2018 at 12:02 PM, Daffy D said:

Windows Defender for  day to day real time protection.

 

Once a week I run the free Superantispyware, Advanced System care, Glary Utilities and the free Malwarebytes. Just to clean the system out.

 

 

 

Be careful with Advanced System Care, I paid for it about four months ago, now a notice has come up on it saying it has expired, I have asked them for my money back and they will not answer me.

[transam]

5 minutes ago, ThaidDown said:

Agree IOBit appears to make good software but you always have to wonder where they got it from. Would not touch them personally.

 

Agree ref Malwarebytes, Ccleaner and superantisptware.  Also use AdwCleaner(now also from malwarebytes).

For Win10 basis Antivirus then Win Defender should be enough.

 

 

I have used 10Bit for a couple of years, the tools in ASCU (paid) have sorted a lot of stuff, plus they auto advise and update drivers, programs and find "holes" in windows..To be honest I would be lost without it......

[transam]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

Be careful with Advanced System Care, I paid for it about four months ago, now a notice has come up on it saying it has expired, I have asked them for my money back and they will not answer me.

Did you buy it direct or somewhere on the Net....?

[NoshowJones]

35 minutes ago, transam said:

Did you buy it direct or somewhere on the Net....?

I bought it direct, they have been in touch with me, and are checking to see if I have paid for it, Have not been back in touch despite me emailing them twice.

[ThaidDown]

40 minutes ago, transam said:

I have used 10Bit for a couple of years, the tools in ASCU (paid) have sorted a lot of stuff, plus they auto advise and update drivers, programs and find "holes" in windows..To be honest I would be lost without it......

Not saying that you should not use them, just saying that I would not.

Personal choice. Not saying anything more against IObit on here.

 

.

[transam]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

I bought it direct, they have been in touch with me, and are checking to see if I have paid for it, Have not been back in touch despite me emailing them twice.

Check the bottom corner of ASC page where it says manage license, look at the expiry date on the page that comes up...

[NoshowJones]

13 minutes ago, transam said:

Check the bottom corner of ASC page where it says manage license, look at the expiry date on the page that comes up...

expiry date is 18/6/2018, that is about the date I started it.