Confused re security

JEN22

Do I need to buy software like kasperskey McAfee or whatever or have computers moved on now.


I use windows 10 and ipad

debitcardmayhem

no need for other than windows defender. of course computers have moved on , but people still click willy-nilly before thinking

pmduk

You've opened a can of worms! There's a lot of debate, personally, I use a free anti-virus (BitDefender free), but you'll have others come on here and say it's not necessary. By nature, I'm a belt and braces sort of person.

ETA

We cross-posted, but you see what I mean! Everybody's opinion is equally valid!

Frozen_up_north

An iPad doesn't need A/V...

Many users are quite happy with the security built into Windows 10, although I personally like Bitdefender (cost circa £30/year for 5 PCs). Bitdefender came top in a Which? magazine a month or two ago, and is also highly rated in several web sites and magazine reviews. Bitdefender restricts write access to folders unless you give specific permission to allow programs to alter them, which is an added layer of security.

Given the official UK Government concern over Kaspersky, although aimed at commercial/industrial/Goverment users, I wouldn't touch it.
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/letter-permanent-secretaries-regarding-issue-supply-chain-risk-cloud-based-products

A/V review sites:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/security/best-antivirus-2018-free-paid-antivirus-reviews-3651652/

http://uk.pcmag.com/antivirus-reviews/8141/guide/the-best-antivirus-protection-of-2018

RumRat

Don't pay for AV....With W10 the inbuilt Windows defender is perfectly acceptable.
Virus aren't the problem they used to be, malware is more prevelant so download 'Malwarebytes' free version and give your PC a weekly scan.
Don't click on any dodgy links in emails or on sites you know little about.
That should keep you out of any trouble. Above all don't let paranoia spoil your enjoyment....;)

CurlySue2017

RumRat wrote: »

Don't pay for AV....With W10 the inbuilt Windows defender is perfectly acceptable.
Virus aren't the problem they used to be, malware is more prevelant so download 'Malwarebytes' free version and give your PC a weekly scan.
Don't click on any dodgy links in emails or on sites you know little about.
That should keep you out of any trouble. Above all don't let paranoia spoil your enjoyment....;)

Sorry to jump in on someone elses thread but it is sort of related and just a quick question following your post.

What you posted above is what I have done since getting my new laptop around 18 months ago and had no problems, however I am now hitting issues with the SSD memory being too small to run Windows 10 updates (I know, I know) and I was concerned that this may have an effect on Windows Defender, by which I mean not stopping the most up to date threats.

Would you (and other tech minded folks) advise that I carry on as I am, or install a free antivirus, just to be safe?

DCFC79

CurlySue2017 wrote: »

Sorry to jump in on someone elses thread but it is sort of related and just a quick question following your post.

What you posted above is what I have done since getting my new laptop around 18 months ago and had no problems, however I am now hitting issues with the SSD Hard Drive being too small to run Windows 10 updates (I know, I know) and I was concerned that this may have an effect on Windows Defender, by which I mean not stopping the most up to date threats.

Would you (and other tech minded folks) advise that I carry on as I am, or install a free antivirus, just to be safe?

Corrected that for you

You can download and use another free anti virus of your choice, just uninstall Windows Defender.

Whats exactly on the SSD though, if theres photos, maybe consider cloud storage eg Gmail Drive which is free, just register for a gmail account and upload them.

Sort out the space issue first before you look at anti virus, you might find sorting the storage out the updates will continue to run.

Maybe think about using an external hard drive for documents etc.

RumRat

You won't gain anything by installing another AV.
Run 'Disk clean-up' initially to see what that will free up.
Use Google photos to store any photos and videos in the cloud.
Use Google drive or dropbox etc to similarly store your documents.

DoaM

Is this one of these devices with a built-in 32GB SSD that cannot be upgraded? If yes then there was a recent thread here about how to trim it to allow Windows updates to apply.

CurlySue2017

DCFC79 wrote: »

Corrected that for you

You can download and use another free anti virus of your choice, just uninstall Windows Defender.

Whats exactly on the SSD though, if theres photos, maybe consider cloud storage eg Gmail Drive which is free, just register for a gmail account and upload them.

Sort out the space issue first before you look at anti virus, you might find sorting the storage out the updates will continue to run.

Maybe think about using an external hard drive for documents etc.

RumRat wrote: »

You won't gain anything by installing another AV.
Run 'Disk clean-up' initially to see what that will free up.
Use Google photos to store any photos and videos in the cloud.
Use Google drive or dropbox etc to similarly store your documents.

Thanks for the replies. In regard to cleaning up, moving items etc. thank you for the suggestions but there is nothing on there that is additional to when it was bought.....no documents, pictures, music, nothing. These are all stored externally. I have tried all the cleanups to free space and have removed whatever built in apps I didn't need, but still no space and I am worried about removing things by mistake, that I may need.

DoaM wrote: »

Is this one of these devices with a built-in 32GB SSD that cannot be upgraded? If yes then there was a recent thread here about how to trim it to allow Windows updates to apply.

Ugh, yes, it is unfortunately

I did see that thread but I am not techie enough to follow it unfortunately. I am in discussions with a local shop at the moment about what options I have, but they are very limted apparently due to the cost out-weighing the price of the machine.

Raxiel

Agree with posters saying Windows Defender built in to Windows 10 is adequate for virus protection, also agree that Malwarebytes makes a good addition to it.

I'd also add: Don't run your day-to-day login with admin privileges. Have a separate admin account with a good password, and use a standard account for yourself. It does mean you'd have to enter the password again whenever you want to make changes to the system, but on the other hand It does mean you'd have to enter the password again whenever you want to make changes to the system.