Question What is the best anti-virus software

[RyzenNoob]

I know this is very subjective, but since my current anti virus software sub is running out at the end of the month, it's time for a change to be honest for various reasons

Is bitdefender any good? Some reviews have claimed that its not very good and very slow, it has allowed a few threats to pass it. So, I'm rather worried about the situation with that

 

[Ralston18]

Windows OS - correct?

Just use the built in Windows Defender/Security. Overall very good now.

And then maybe Malwarebytes (free) for occassional use if something seems astray.

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

Kaspersky, trend micro, bitdefender at the moment.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Kaspersky Plus or ESET Internet Security

 

[USAFRet]

Windows Defender, and a functioning brain.

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

Kaspersky Plus or ESET Internet Security

Whenever I read antivirus lab tests or read reviews on tech sites regarding ESET, its malware detection is average or below average plus ESET is more expensive compared to alternative premium security software. Why do you believe it's top quality product?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

pERSONAL Expierence . Currently running Kaspersky Plus on my 5 SETUPS.

 

[RyzenNoob]

Kaspersky Plus or ESET Internet Security

Kaspersky is expensive, I've been with them for years. I'm looking to move away from them

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

Kaspersky is expensive, I've been with them for years. I'm looking to move away from them

My advice is trend micro. Malware protection on a par with kaspersky. Install trial version and see. I use it on my PC and recommend it. Blocked many malicious scripts from some sites on my PC and includes a separate secured and isolated browser to do online banking. I bought a key from a reseller for a very good price. Scans much faster than McAfee does.

Real-World Protection Test February-May 2023

The first half year results of the ongoing Consumer Real-World Protection Test for February-May 2023 are now available.

www.av-comparatives.org

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Kasspersky IS PRETTY CHEAP FOR A TOP TIER SOLUTION::

Kaspersky Total Security 2023 | 5 Devices | 1 Year | Antivirus, Secure VPN and Password Manager Included | PC/Mac/Android | Online Code​

$ 14.99

Amazon.com

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

Windows Defender, and a functioning brain.

How come defender is considered a good AV if it can be easily disabled or have custom exclusions added to it with public legitimate tools?

Defender Control v2.1

In Windows there is no option to completely turn off Microsoft Defender , Defender control is a Portable freeware to disable Ms Defender.

www.sordum.org

Defender Exclusion Tool v1.3

To Add Exclusions for Microsoft Defender manually would be time consuming, .Defender Exclusion Tool is a portable freeware to simplify the Exclusions process.

www.sordum.org

 

[USAFRet]

How come defender is considered a good AV if it can be easily disabled or have custom exclusions added to it with public legitimate tools?

The user doing dumb things does not make it a bad tool.

This comes under the "functioning brain" part.

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

The user doing dumb things does not make it a bad tool.

This comes under the "functioning brain" part.

My point was that such critical actions can be automated by software itself without user intervention which pose a huge security risk.

 

[USAFRet]

My point was that such critical actions can be automated by software itself without user intervention which pose a huge security risk.

How is that any different than any other AV tool?

Even more....other ones you can simply "uninstall".
Then Defender takes over.
To get rid of Defender, you have to jump through major hoops.

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

How is that any different than any other AV tool?

Even more....other ones you can simply "uninstall".
Then Defender takes over.
To get rid of Defender, you have to jump through major hoops.

Most AV asks to rewrite captcha or type user defined password before uninstall or major change like turning off real time protection. Back in the day there was malware that would send specific keystrokes and commands to Windows to disable AV. Password can prevent it.

 

[USAFRet]

Most AV asks to rewrite captcha or type user defined password before uninstall or major change like turning off real time protection. Back in the day there was malware that would send specific keystrokes and commands to Windows to disable AV. Password can prevent it.

The last AV tool I uninstalled, BitDefender, did not ask for any special captcha. Just the normal Windows admin account pwd.

Totally not getting what you're saying here.

What AV tool do YOU recommend?

 

[RyzenNoob]

Kasspersky IS PRETTY CHEAP FOR A TOP TIER SOLUTION::

Kaspersky Total Security 2023 | 5 Devices | 1 Year | Antivirus, Secure VPN and Password Manager Included | PC/Mac/Android | Online Code​

$ 14.99

Amazon.com

I see on their website, that is the introductory price. Since I've been with them for a few years, it isn't applicable to me

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

I see on their website, that is the introductory price. Since I've been with them for a few years, it isn't applicable to me

Have you bought AV yet? If not, you can claim a free webroot secure anywhere license (3 PCs / 6 months). Norton And avira are available too (3 months trial on the site).

Webroot SecureAnywhere 2019 (100% discount) | SharewareOnSale

DON’T LET HACKERS STEAL YOUR MONEY OR IDENTITY. GET PROTECTED NOW. Full-scale security for computers. Advanced threat protection Real-Time Anti-Phishing blocks harmful websites Firewall and network connection monitor Always-on security for your data and identity Hassle-Free Security Set it and...

sharewareonsale.com

 

[USAFRet]

Have you bought AV yet? If not, you can claim a free webroot secure anywhere license (3 PCs / 6 months). Norton And avira are available too (3 months trial on the site).

Norton? Avira?

Surely you jest.

 

[USAFRet]

Norton, who has been identified as selling customers information to 3rd parties.

Norton, whose software is probably the most intrusive, obnoxious, and overbearing thing around?

That Norton?
I wouldn't use that if it were free.


I'll give you 3 guesses as to who the parent company of Avira is, and the first 2 don't count.


And the site you link is a sad joke.

Good luck.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Norton

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

kASPERSKY HAS NO BAN IN THE US.

 

[RyzenNoob]

Have you bought AV yet? If not, you can claim a free webroot secure anywhere license (3 PCs / 6 months). Norton And avira are available too (3 months trial on the site).

Webroot SecureAnywhere 2019 (100% discount) | SharewareOnSale

DON’T LET HACKERS STEAL YOUR MONEY OR IDENTITY. GET PROTECTED NOW. Full-scale security for computers. Advanced threat protection Real-Time Anti-Phishing blocks harmful websites Firewall and network connection monitor Always-on security for your data and identity Hassle-Free Security Set it and...

sharewareonsale.com

Yes I have bought it before

 

[RyzenNoob]

I chose ESET because I tried Bit Defender, and its trying to scare the bejeezus out of me by saying that certain trusted software had a virus and that my email has been hacked 3 times. Albeit, I do take my security in regards that there are threats on the internet, but that is ridiculous

 

[RyzenNoob]

Norton, who has been identified as selling customers information to 3rd parties.

Norton, whose software is probably the most intrusive, obnoxious, and overbearing thing around?

That Norton?
I wouldn't use that if it were free.


I'll give you 3 guesses as to who the parent company of Avira is, and the first 2 don't count.


And the site you link is a sad joke.

Good luck.

I was given a free offer because I bought something online, but refuse to install it after previously having it on my laptop. Its a painful uninstallation. You have to go to their website to download a tool to uninstall it. This information you have posted is probably the reason why I thankfully never took up the offer