The best safest anti-virus software, your opinion please...

[LadyEmeraude]

I plan for now to stay with Webroot I think...

 

[Lawrence00]

I like Norton. It costs money, but you can put it on 10 computers.

 

[Beezer]

I use Norton and free Ccleaner after every computer session to get rid of unwanted trackers.

 

[Paladin1950]

I use Malwarebytes Premium. It protects against both virus and spyware. It has a browser guard, so when I am on internet forums, there is never any ads.

 

[Alligatorob]

I have McAfee, mostly because it comes on the Dell computers I have.

After watching a documentary on John McAfee, the founder, I am having second thoughts...

 

[Matrix]

I haven't used any anti-virus software for 2 decades except the built-in Microsoft Defender, my computer is more stable and runs faster.

 

[SeniorBen]

I'm using TotalAV. It seems to work pretty well.

 

[kburra]

I'm using TotalAV. It seems to work pretty well.

Yep me too, have tried others over the years this wins hands down for me (Paid version)

 

[sch404]

I run Windows 11 here. My entire mortal existence is now stored on Microsoft One Drive. Microsoft Defender is all you'll ever need IMHO.

 

[kburra]

Windows Defender scans a user's email, internet browser, cloud, and apps for cyber threats. However, Windows Defender lacks endpoint protection and response, as well as automated investigation and remediation, so more antivirus software is necessary. For general use is fine, but I would never do online banking with only Defender for protection.

 

[dobielvr]

I have McAfee, mostly because it comes on the Dell computers I have.

After watching a documentary on John McAfee, the founder, I am having second thoughts...

Yeah, he really flipped out, didn't he?
Strange dude.

 

[sch404]

I've done online banking, online investing and online finances forever with nothing besides MIcrosoft Defender. I disagree strongly that any other AV or anti malware programs are either necessary or sufficient to maintain adequate cyber security in a modern Windows environment.

 

[oldpop]

I have been using Norton since 2005. I am satisfied with it. As far as I know I have never had a virus on any of my computers through the years. Some people do not like Norton because they say it is a resource hog but I have not had that issue. I have never payed more than twenty five dollars a year for it but I ordinarilly use it on one computer. Of course your mileage may vary.

 

[JustDave]

I use AVG Free. I've been very happy with it for years until about a year ago, when they started spamming me with popups. I waste more time getting rid of their pop up adds than I do anything else, and they have inserted little annoyances that play in the background, and pop up and warn me that I need more protection against micro radiation and God knows what else.

 

[kburra]

I use AVG Free. I've been very happy with it for years until about a year ago, when they started spamming me with popups. I waste more time getting rid of their pop up adds than I do anything else, and they have inserted little annoyances that play in the background, and pop up and warn me that I need more protection against micro radiation and God knows what else.

• Open AVG AntiVirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
• Select General ▸ Notifications.
• Tick the box next to Use silent mode and turn off all pop-ups, alerts, and messages. You will have to do this after every update too.

 

[Capt Lightning]

Linux is less prone to attack, but as a precaution, I use ClamAV which is free and I believe is also available for Windows.

 

[JustDave]

• Open AVG AntiVirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
• Select General ▸ Notifications.
• Tick the box next to Use silent mode and turn off all pop-ups, alerts, and messages. You will have to do this after every update too.

Thanks!

 

[JustDave]

Thanks!

To silence AVG notifications, I believe you also have to search "Tools" under "General." Does that sound right? I guess I'll know in a day or two.

 

[Lavinia]

I use Malwarebytes Premium. It protects against both virus and spyware. It has a browser guard, so when I am on internet forums, there is never any ads.

Yes, I use Malwarebytes. Someone who works in a computer shop told me that if you have that, you don't need anything else.

 

[Rich]

Here's a link to PC world's list of the 7 best anti-virus programs:
https://www.safetydetective.com/recommended2/best-internet-security/us/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=10864773019&cq_term=antivirus protection software&cq_plac=&cq_net=s&cq_plt=gp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzdaD09Xd_QIV1MiUCR1cDQrsEAAYASAAEgLex_D_BwE

 

[Rich]

Here's a list of the best from PC Magazine:

 

[Paladin1950]

Windows Defender scans a user's email, internet browser, cloud, and apps for cyber threats. However, Windows Defender lacks endpoint protection and response, as well as automated investigation and remediation, so more antivirus software is necessary. For general use is fine, but I would never do online banking with only Defender for protection.

I have always heard this. Although Windows Defender has improved over the years, it is still far less effective than other virus/spyware programs, both free and paid. Malwarebytes Premium is so easy to run. You can have scheduled scans if you want. And most important of all, it is not a resource hog, like other anti-virus software programs.

 

[mike4lorie]

I have used Norton for quite a while, but have since switched... Now I am using eset... So far I like it a lot, and does a great job, and a fraction of Norton, in the last few years found Norton charging for everything, and I was up to $170 a year,,,

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I used AVG and Malwarebytes (still have the free version), but after getting NordVPN, it wasn't necessary to pay for antivirus software because Nord has antivirus and malware protection built in.
@Alligatorob Why are you having second thoughts about McAfee? I won't be watching the doc to find out.