Free virus protection etc. for Windows 10 computer?

[pieeyed]

Just use Windows Defender which is as good as any and is free.

[WorriedNoodle]

2 hours ago, Slain said:

I can understand why micro-soft does. After all they want their product to work.

Exactly. A no-brainer, use the built in Win10 Defender Security Center, its free, works better than any other product with Win10 as its built by Win10 for Win10. 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Exactly. A no-brainer, use the built in Win10 Defender Security Center, its free, works better than any other product with Win10 as its built by Win10 for Win10. 

My program actually finds holes in Windows and fixes any...

[upu2]

On 9/5/2018 at 1:26 AM, lvr181 said:

Oh....now I am a little confused. But, forget the can and can't interpretation. I agree that Apple devices are subject to virus attacks. 

Obviously you are an intelligent person. Many Apple users believe that Apple products can not ever be infected and as you acknowledge and I know they can.

[chrisinth]

On 9/4/2018 at 4:34 AM, dallen52 said:

Agree with Windows 10 latest Defender.

It can be a bit aggressive on installing some stuff.

Tends to think it's a threat.

You have to add it to the whitelist.

Also AVG free is worthwhile as a second if you think Defender isn't doing it's job.

But Microsoft is trying to make itself more all in one now.

I still run the Windows development packages, sort of helps test new Windows stuff.

So I try to stay on Defender.

Just to veer off topic (a little bit), for all those that endorse Windows Defender to be adequate AV protection (and I am one of those) for the average user, here is a useful little program to add to your 'toolboxes', Defender Control (latest version 1.3).

 

As dallen52 stated in his post, sometimes Defender can be a little aggressive. If you are 100% of installing some software, or you are transferring large amounts of data, again if 100% sure it is virus free, you can easily turn Defender off for as long as you need and turn it back on again with the click of a button with this software. Certainly can speed up transfer.

 

 

I understand it is not for everyone, especially novices, but I use this portable app several times a week without fail. Just thought I'd throw that into the mix (for clarity, have nothing to do with the software development, just a user). Link is (if anyone needs it):

 

https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v1-3/

[MJKT2014]

2 hours ago, chrisinth said:

here is a useful little program to add to your 'toolboxes', Defender Control

I don't understand, cannot I just go to Windows Defender settings and turn it on/off. That's what I've always done - about 4 clicks to get to settings.

[Daffy D]

2 hours ago, MJKT2014 said:

I don't understand, cannot I just go to Windows Defender settings and turn it on/off. That's what I've always done - about 4 clicks to get to settings.

Yep! Just toggle on and off:-

 

[CGW]

2 hours ago, MJKT2014 said:

I don't understand, cannot I just go to Windows Defender settings and turn it on/off. That's what I've always done - about 4 clicks to get to settings.

You cant just turn it off you have to turn off service. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-permanently-disable-windows-defender-windows-10

[SpaceKadet]

Windows and security is an oxymoron, always has been, always will be.... Never used windows security products, and never will.

Currently using Comodo Internet Security free version. Have used for years. Has AV, FW, and best of all "Containers", which will simulate your environment in virtual. You can run your "keygens" there without exposing your real environment.

 

In fact, I am so fed up with Windows 10 breaking my system after every major update that I am seriously considering going back to Win7 Pro. IMO, the most stable Windows ever released.

[wgdanson]

6 minutes ago, SpaceKadet said:

Windows and security is an oxymoron, always has been, always will be.... Never used windows security products, and never will.

Currently using Comodo Internet Security free version. Have used for years. Has AV, FW, and best of all "Containers", which will simulate your environment in virtual. You can run your "keygens" there without exposing your real environment.

 

In fact, I am so fed up with Windows 10 breaking my system after every major update that I am seriously considering going back to Win7 Pro. IMO, the most stable Windows ever released.

Could it possibly be your system. I, and many folk I know, have updated W10 every time, just let Mr Gates do his job, and no problems.

[SpaceKadet]

No, it's not my system.... Windows 10, IMO,  has been wanky since the first install. I suppose, it's down do what you do and what you expect from your system...

I experience no such problems on my CentOS systems, although they have upgraded themselves several times....

[dallen52]

5 hours ago, chrisinth said:

Just to veer off topic (a little bit), for all those that endorse Windows Defender to be adequate AV protection (and I am one of those) for the average user, here is a useful little program to add to your 'toolboxes', Defender Control (latest version 1.3).

 

As dallen52 stated in his post, sometimes Defender can be a little aggressive. If you are 100% of installing some software, or you are transferring large amounts of data, again if 100% sure it is virus free, you can easily turn Defender off for as long as you need and turn it back on again with the click of a button with this software. Certainly can speed up transfer.

 

 

I understand it is not for everyone, especially novices, but I use this portable app several times a week without fail. Just thought I'd throw that into the mix (for clarity, have nothing to do with the software development, just a user). Link is (if anyone needs it):

 

https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v1-3/

Like I mentioned I do the evaluation along with heaps of others, on Windows 10 improvements. 

Defender was actually blocking an update...doh.

That was soon fixed.

 

I turn it off as you mentioned, sometimes. 

 

I do like the IO Bit suite of av malware and tune up utilities.

Just waiting to purchase the latest version...

[MJKT2014]

37 minutes ago, CGW said:

You cant just turn it off you have to turn off service.

Ok, I should have said enable/disable instead of turn on/off, although I wasn't referring to the service but the enabling/disabling of WDSC which is all the app seems to do referred to is post #65 and seems rather superfluous when it is so easy to do in Win10 already.

[SheungWan]

Years ago I used free AVG and it was fine, but then maybe new owners, but there was an aggressive never-ending request to upgrade that finally sent me mad, so I eventually switched it off and never went back. McAfee which I now use is also trending in that direction, but not bad enough yet for me to pull the switch.

Edited September 7, 2018 by SheungWan

[dallen52]

21 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Years ago I used free AVG and it was fine, but then maybe new owners, but there was an aggressive never-ending request to upgrade that finally sent me mad, so I eventually switched it off and never went back. McAfee which I now use is also trending in that direction, but not bad enough yet for me to pull the switch.

Interesting enough,  Intel owns McAfee.

And A vast owns AVG now... ?

[CGW]

33 minutes ago, MJKT2014 said:

Ok, I should have said enable/disable instead of turn on/off, although I wasn't referring to the service but the enabling/disabling of WDSC which is all the app seems to do referred to is post #65 and seems rather superfluous when it is so easy to do in Win10 already.

The only way to completely disable defender is to turn of the service, enable and disabling doesn't turn everything off, it continues to run in the background, I found this out the hard way as had to install some software that Win 10 doesn't like!

[MJKT2014]

13 hours ago, CGW said:

The only way to completely disable defender is to turn of the service, enable and disabling doesn't turn everything off, it continues to run in the background, I found this out the hard way as had to install some software that Win 10 doesn't like!

So your saying the app (Defender Control (latest version 1.3). ) mentioned in #65 does turn everything on and off? I haven't checked it myself as it was reason I originally asked on this thread. If it does then that would be the benefit of it. Can anyone confirm please?

[lvr181]

15 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Interesting enough,  Intel owns McAfee.

And A vast owns AVG now... ?

Spoil sport. 

[Daffy D]

16 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Could it possibly be your system. I, and many folk I know, have updated W10 every time, just let Mr Gates do his job, and no problems

I have always used Microsoft since before Windows 2000, never bothered with those poor imitations.

 

Through the years I've never had a problem with new versions or updates and upgrades. On the few occasions things went wrong it was always due to my messing with the system and /or trying some new third party add on or program.

 

Regular backups and System Restore always got me out of trouble without significant loss of data.

 

Like "wganson" I don't understand why some people have problems that they blame on M Gates. With the millions of Microsoft users the amount of people having problems are relatively small.  

 

Look to your system.   

[wgdanson]

20 hours ago, SpaceKadet said:

Windows and security is an oxymoron, always has been, always will be.... Never used windows security products, and never will.

Currently using Comodo Internet Security free version. Have used for years. Has AV, FW, and best of all "Containers", which will simulate your environment in virtual. You can run your "keygens" there without exposing your real environment.

 

In fact, I am so fed up with Windows 10 breaking my system after every major update that I am seriously considering going back to Win7 Pro. IMO, the most stable Windows ever released.

Go buy a Model T Ford as well.

[wgdanson]

3 hours ago, Daffy D said:

I have always used Microsoft since before Windows 2000, never bothered with those poor imitations.

 

Through the years I've never had a problem with new versions or updates and upgrades. On the few occasions things went wrong it was always due to my messing with the system and /or trying some new third party add on or program.

 

Regular backups and System Restore always got me out of trouble without significant loss of data.

 

Like "wganson" I don't understand why some people have problems that they blame on M Gates. With the millions of Microsoft users the amount of people having problems are relatively small.  

 

Look to your system.   

BEWARE. Make sure System Restore is TURNED ON, as some updates turn it off.

[SpaceKadet]

2 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Go buy a Model T Ford as well.

I already re-installed from scratch once...

Next, you are gonna tell me that dropping USB devices is a Win10 feature, and not being able to do a simple task like re-numerating connected displays is a WAD....

 

I do actually quite a bit more than just use the browser...

[wgdanson]

15 minutes ago, SpaceKadet said:

I already re-installed from scratch once...

Next, you are gonna tell me that dropping USB devices is a Win10 feature, and not being able to do a simple task like re-numerating connected displays is a WAD....

 

I do actually quite a bit more than just use the browser...

Sorry I do not understand. Do you mean you installed W10 from scratch, or W7. Dropping USB devices? What is a WAD please?

 

And I do use my PCs for more than just browsing and going onto Thai Visa. Music production with Sonar/Cakewalk is superb with W10.

[SpaceKadet]

25 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Sorry I do not understand. Do you mean you installed W10 from scratch, or W7. Dropping USB devices? What is a WAD please?

 

And I do use my PCs for more than just browsing and going onto Thai Visa. Music production with Sonar/Cakewalk is superb with W10.

Originally I upgraded from Win7 Pro. Free upgrade, still have the Win7 image. After facing a lot of problems, I got an NVMe drive and reinstalled from scratch.

 

Dropping USB devices = USB device disconnects from Windows (Web cam, USB display, scanner) and Windows does not reconnect on reboot.

 

WAD = Working As Designed (programmer slang for features that don't work, but programmers are to lazy to fix them.)

 

Anyway, this is off topic so I won't bother moaning in this tread.

[wgdanson]

1 minute ago, SpaceKadet said:

Originally I upgraded from Win7 Pro. Free upgrade, still have the Win7 image. After facing a lot of problems, I got an NVMe drive and reinstalled from scratch.

 

Dropping USB devices = USB device disconnects from Windows (Web cam, USB display, scanner) and Windows does not reconnect on reboot.

 

WAD = Working As Designed (programmer slang for features that don't work, but programmers are to lazy to fix them.)

 

Anyway, this is off topic so I won't bother moaning in this tread.

Sorry to hear about that. My 2 PCs are perfect after April's update, and the next one is soon. Can't wait. Got USB audio interfaces, keyboards & synths, camera, USB mic..........no problems on boot.

 

I am a thicky........please what is NVMe drive. 

[Daffy D]

3 hours ago, wgdanson said:

BEWARE. Make sure System Restore is TURNED ON, as some updates turn it off

Yep! I have got into the habit of regularly checking System Restore is on  

 

I now use a great little program suggested by a member a while back "System Restore Creator" that has some additional features including restoring in Safe mode with just one click.

 

https://www.toms-world.org/blog/restore_point_creator/

 

[SpaceKadet]

NVMe = Non Volatile Memory Express, M.2 SSD drive like a Samsung 960EVO

 

Over 2GB/s read rate.... connects directly on the PCI buss.

[wgdanson]

1 minute ago, SpaceKadet said:

NVMe = Non Volatile Memory Express, M.2 SSD drive like a Samsung 960EVO

 

Over 2GB/s read rate.... connects directly on the PCI buss.

Now I comprendez, got an M2 in my NUC.

[SpaceKadet]

Just now, wgdanson said:

Now I comprendez, got an M2 in my NUC.

Now I'm baffled ?, what is a NUC? 

[wgdanson]

Just now, SpaceKadet said:

Now I'm baffled ?, what is a NUC? 

555555. It's Intel's New Unit of Computing, or something like that. An i5 PC in a 4 x 4 inch box. Great as a media centre.