Windows antivirus recommendations

funnymonkey

Good morning.
I've just bought a Windows desktop after using a Mac for years.
Can anyone kindly recommend a antivirus software, if it's free even better!!

Many thanks

neilmcl

Just use the inbuilt Windows 10 Security, no real need for anything else, other than perhaps a copy of Malwarebytes for occasional malware scans.

wongataa

neilmcl said:

Just use the inbuilt Windows 10 Security, no real need for anything else, other than perhaps a copy of Malwarebytes for occasional malware scans.

This.  It is free and you already have it.

GadgetGuru

Avast is good - and free....

Jenni_D

IftiBashir said:

Avast is good - and free....

... and unnecessary.  

JJ_Egan

Why is it worst ?? than windows defender ??

RumRat

JJ_Egan said:

Why is it worst ?? than windows defender ??

It's not, but, why bother when you have a working antivirus that runs without problems already installed.

Jenni_D

JJ_Egan said:

Why is it worst ?? than windows defender ??

Please point to where I said that - clue, you can't, because I didn't.  

JJ_Egan

Never disagreed that defender is adequate in its current version .

[Deleted User]

Not going to add anything to the above about individual AV packages, it is discussed regularly on this forum and many different points of view so I'll offer a different perspective:

Your best line of defence is your left finger - ie what you click on. Good email and internet hygiene is the first line of defence as many viruses come from links and attachments in emails or nefarious links on websites or software you download and install including browser add-ons.

Think twice before clicking on anything unusual or different - malware will often use underhand tactics to entice you to click on something - a common one is actually pop ups claiming your system has a virus along with tools that claim to fix problems with your PC and often appear to be genuine Windows prompts.

You can help reduce the chances of coming across these by using reputable ad-blocking software with your browser - uBlock Origin for example - also includes a block list of malicious websites.

Another overlooked line of defence is keeping your system up to date with the latest firmware, software and patches - there seems to be reluctance sometimes to install OS updates or upgrade software with some users and that can end up being a real risk to security. Most users never bother updating their PC firmware.

And don't forget your other internet connected systems as well, make sure your internet gateway (ie router) is patched up to date and other devices around the home that are connected to the internet as they can be used as a vector to infect other systems. 

In fact my go to "anti-virus" is actually my router because it protects all devices in the home - many decent consumer routers contain anti malware - for example Asus AiProtection which actually refers all website links back to the TrendMicro servers before allowing access - it is totally seamless and doesn't slow anything down.



It also inspects incoming and outgoing packets and in my case prevented an external attack from India on my PC before it even got into my home network:



And in another case prevented outgoing packets from connecting to a C&C (command and control) server which could have allowed a leak of personal information or propagation of a virus.