[SOLVED] What is some essential software to buy?

[SlashtaCross]

So I've had a custom built pc for a long time now and I've never bought any kind of anti-virus software or whatever else people install on their pcs. All I know is that my parents computer drives me insane with "NORTON NORTON NORTON" notifications every other minute. They ask me what to get but I myself have never used any software of the sorts. I've just used good judgement on what websites I frequent and never click any links that I'm unfamiliar with. I have some friends who use MalwareBytes but I still don't know what that's for either. So basically I'm asking what are the categories of software and which ones should you really be using?

 

[jeremyj_83]

So I've had a custom built pc for a long time now and I've never bought any kind of anti-virus software or whatever else people install on their pcs. All I know is that my parents computer drives me insane with "NORTON NORTON NORTON" notifications every other minute. They ask me what to get but I myself have never used any software of the sorts. I've just used good judgement on what websites I frequent and never click any links that I'm unfamiliar with. I have some friends who use MalwareBytes but I still don't know what that's for either. So basically I'm asking what are the categories of software and which ones should you really be using?

If you have Windows 10 just use Windows Defender (comes installed on Win 10 by default) for your anti-virus. MalwareBytes is good for finding ad-ware but isn't an anti-virus. Otherwise having a copy of MS Office if you need a word processor, spreadsheet, etc... is always good. Get Notepad++ as that is far better than MS Notepad.

 

[scout_03]

you could use avast free for virus and malwatrbytes to clean spyware and others .

 

[mdd1963]

Kaspersky's Free AV has been simply stellar, thus far...(I can live with a once or twice per week add about their paid VPN, Kaspersky Secure Connection, or whatever they call it...)

 

[geofelt]

Probably one of the best free antivirus is windows defender.
It does a good job on known viruses.
It is low impact and updated by microsoft as needed.

An "out in the wild" virus is one that has not yet been detected.
There are some antivirus products that look at all you do and try to detect an unknown new virus.
This impacts every process you do.
If you practice safe computing, I think it is not necessary.

Above all, if you have anything that is invaluable to you, plan on appropriate EXTERNAL backup.

I only occasionally run malwarebytes free edition to see if any malware has crept in.
It is notan antivirus program.

 

[SlashtaCross]

Ok cool that sounds good. I've got windows 10 defender and run the free malwarebytes on occasion as well and never find anything. Sometimes when updating MB they give you another free trial so I always run scans with the premium version then and still never find anything.

 

[Wolfshadw]

There are basically four types of software programs:

1. Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, Mac)
2. Productivity Software (Office, Adobe, Blender, Programming Languages, etc...)
3. Security Software (Anti-virus, Anti-malware)
4. Entertainment (Media Players, Games, etc...)

There are free options for all four categories, but in my opinion, the only ones you need to pay for are the OS (if going Windows or Mac) and Entertainment (many games).

I, too, was a Norton-boy back in the day, but when my recently renewed one year subscription suddenly expired (after only three months) and I couldn't get any help from them, I've been using free security programs ever since.

-Wolf sends

 

[SlashtaCross]

1. Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, Mac)
2. Productivity Software (Office, Adobe, Blender, Programming Languages, etc...)
3. Security Software (Anti-virus, Anti-malware)
4. Entertainment (Media Players, Games, etc...)

The Security Software was what I was trying to figure out what to call it. I knew it wasn't just virus protection or what not. But yeah that's what I've never used minus some free malwarebytes and until recently I never really paid any attention to the fact that windows 10 has built in anti virus

 

[Wolfshadw]

Yeah, after my Norton days, I switched to McAfee Anti-Virus, but after a while, it got too bloated trying to do too many things.
Then I switched over to AVG Free, but after a while, it got too bloated trying to do too many things.
Then I switched over to Avast Anti-Vir, but after a while, ... well, you get the picture.

Now, I'm just using Windows Defender and I'm just waiting for it to get too bloated, trying to do too many things.

-Wolf sends

 

[thepersonwithaface45]

I just run firefox with an ad blocker and whatever default defender windows uses. As long as you're internet/computer literate, you should be fine.
When I got my first desktop, my mom got it for me for highschool so freshman year, 9th grade.
Through those first 2 years I learned about some viruses haha! Got my computer hijacked at one point from a guy in russia showing me some pretty disturbing pictures on the web-
The easiest way for me to get rid of a virus if you do get one is to just wipe the harddrives and reinstall windows. I don't keep any essential files on my PC so that's pretty much the nuclear option, but I haven't had to do that in years.
I'm 22 now btw.