Free anti virus

Milltown17

Hi folks
I'm just after purchasing a new laptop and was wondering if anyone could recommend a free anti virus to install

srsly78

Windows 10 comes with antivirus already.

ganmo

Avg or panda

advertsfox

Firstly just setup the default Administrator account thats is not unused daily with a password, then create a normal User account for yourself and if required, right click - Run as Administrator can be used to elevate permissions (such as software installs). Windows 10 comes with Defender which works reasonable well but the best security is with the user. Keep UAC on, install a proper web browser like Google Chrome or Firefox with the Adblock extension and do not use Adobe Flash or Java if you can avoid them (most modern sites / applications will not require them).

wandererz

www.forticlient.com

It's anti-virus, web filtering & app control. And free

BailMeOut

Native Windows Defender is free and gives you as much (if not more) protection that the paid for stuff out there. Just make sure you configure correctly and that all areas show green on the config.

PropJoe10

Use Windows 10 inbuilt Defender program, along with Malwarebytes Free, and you should be all set.

wandererz

I'm confused
... if Windows Defender is as good or better than anything else, then Windows machines should (almost) never be compromised...right??

srsly78

Don't underestimate the users ability to click on dodgy exes and ignore all the dire warnings etc.

PropJoe10

In my experience, it's very rare for a modern OS to get a virus unless the user is incredibly careless. Malware/spyware is much more common, which is what Malwarebytes scans for.

BailMeOut

wandererz wrote: »

I'm confused
... if Windows Defender is as good or better than anything else, then Windows machines should (almost) never be compromised...right??

correct which is a true statement.

tuxy

wandererz wrote: »

I'm confused
... if Windows Defender is as good or better than anything else, then Windows machines should (almost) never be compromised...right??

Or you could also say the other anti-virus software is just as bad as windows defender.

wandererz

Some independent testing results:

https://www.av-test.org/en/

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/october-2018/

Editorial
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/microsoft-heres-why-windows-defender-av-isnt-ranked-higher-in-new-antivirus-tests/


Comparison:
https://www.safetydetective.com/blog/windows-defender-vs-antiviruses-is-defender-enough-for-you/

Dakotabigone

PropJoe10 wrote: »

In my experience, it's very rare for a modern OS to get a virus unless the user is incredibly careless. Malware/spyware is much more common, which is what Malwarebytes scans for.

Is looking up nudey stuff careless?

PropJoe10

Dakotabigone wrote: »

Is looking up nudey stuff careless?

Depends on the site you're on, but it can be, especially if you click on links that then try to open a whole load of new tabs in your browser. I always suggest that people run Malwarebytes Free Edition once a month or so. You can download that here:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

BailMeOut

One of my favourite thing to do is to update your HOSTS files from here. Adds a lot of security but most importantly makes your browsing experience so much better.

https://someonewhocares.org/hosts/

wandererz

If you don't have a reason to use a specific DNS service then point your dns to 9.9.9.9

Check out quad9.com for an explanation.
It's not AV but prevents your devices from connecting to known malicious sites.

Should be used in conjunction with AV on your machines.