Is "Windows Defender" good enough?

I’m not actually too helpful on this topic. Since I retired in the 17th century I haven’t remained technically up-to-date. I run a dual boot machine with Ubuntu for almost all of my usage and Windoz for Turbotax, Garmin stuff, and Yaesu ham radio stuff when motivated. So,,, I am nearly 100% Ubuntu.

On my Win10 system I use Windoz Defender, but that sees little use. MMR. Meets minimum requirements.

I got my last couple of laptops from Best Buy and have used their Webroot anti-virus on both. For what it's worth, I've never had an infection, although I'll be the first to admit that the stuff I run is fairly cherry. I tend not to access shady sites although just a couple of weeks ago Webroot did alert me of a site it didn't trust. Truth be told, I don't remember if it alerted me to an actual malware threat or just advising me about a site with a bad reputation. Don't know, but those were the only times in many years of using Webroot that it alerted me for anything. I'm happy with it.

Phil

Norton at the moment, and for many years but, likely changing to Defender in the fall. Seeing lots of positive press about Defender lately.

I use, and have been using since it came out, Windows Defender in concert with Malwarebytes Premium and have never had a problem.

I have used Windows Defender for years as a stand alone. Never had a problem with viruses and malware that Defender didn't take the necessary action to protect my system.

I use Malwarebytes together with Trend Micro. If a major update is released with Trend Micro, I have to uninstall Malwarebytes temporarily and reinstall it after updating Trend Micro. For routine Trend Micro updates, the two antivirus programs are compatible running together.

For the last three and a half years. Does the job just fine. I haven't ran into any issues with this program.

I like the idea of using defense software that has a large enough user base and good enough reputation to be good, but that is a smaller target for the bad guys as it does not have the largest market share. I feel safer that way.

Hmmm, ESET Corporate Headquarters is in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. I think I’ll stick an American product.

Still using Kaspersky here and will continue to do so.

I've been using Norton in conjunction with Defender for the last two years. As you say, defender has improved considerably in that time. I likely won't renew Norton when the current subscription expires.

Windows also has built-in anti-ransomeware and if you use Defender it might be worthwhile checking to see if is enabled.

See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/ransomware-protect... For the procedure.

I gave up on Norton many years ago when they could not process my renewal properly. Then their own removal procedure did not work -- on more than one machine.

At the time my logic was that if they could not keep their own house clean I did not trust them to protect mine. I hope they have gotten better.

The only renewal problem I’ve had, and I’ve using Norton for 10+ years, is I like “manual” renewal so I can seek out deals. By default however Norton installs with auto renewal and you have to go into your profile and turn it off. I forgot to do that once and got hit with full price.

This is the same combination I have used for years and have had no issues.

I have been using Norton (from Anti-Virus, through Security, through 360) for many many years.

HINT: Don't buy through Norton and don't register your Credit Card with them. You'll want to avoid their high prices. This year I was able to purchase 360 (which includes VPN) from an Amazon sale (directly from Amazon) for only $29 which they can't automatically renew as they don't have my credit card number.

I can recommend it highly, but I can't compare it to MS Windows Defender as I have never used it.

Perhaps when the new Windows comes out I will switch to the MS-contained security.

Norton Password has been helpful. I use it in tandem with Google Password. Norton has a Vault (lock) so only the one vault password is needed for certain sites with which you want to extra protect (banking, finance, insurance, etc.) in case some untoward actor gets on your computer when you are away.

Norton also has advised me, on occasion not to surf in certain directions. And, has blocked attacks on several occasions.

There are several other tools that are useful - quick scanning, full scanning, frequent security updates - as soon as they find nefarious happenings on the web, etc.

Gary Hayman
ghayman.net

WD is a lot better than it was, but I wouldn't rate it as good as some of the other free AVs let alone many of the paid ones. I use BitDefender Free. It has no bells and whistles. I don't need them. WD is still providing a firewall.

Whenever I subscribe to one of these auto renew websites, I use a virtual credit card. My CC company has that feature and will generate a "one use" CC number upon request. You can also set a max allowable charge amount.

When the vendor notifies me the renewal charge has been declined, I tell them I'm no longer interested. That almost always results in a lower price offer.

I used to have a card with that feature. I particularly liked being able to set the expiration date. That card ceased that service. Could you share with us the card that offers that now please?

Someone mentioned virtual credit card numbers and Forbes just last month did a nice write-up on the feature and mentioned the sources for such a feature. See https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/virtual-credit-c... for the details.

I use 'em on everything online except for the occasion when chase has some additional bonus (5% category).

It takes less than a minute to generate a virtual number. Can come in handy with subscription services (freedompop comes to mind) or when you want to ensure the merchant can you once and only once.

Seems to work fine

My wife and I use a MasterCard thru Citibank that still offers Virtual CC numbers. I don't know for how long though since this service is not popular with merchants who rely on auto renewals.

@bdhsfz6 There was an announcement earlier this year that citi is rolling out some new version of VAN around august. Stay tuned.