Recommendations for anti virus software

geek84

Hi Folks

Can someone kindly recommend any reliable and cheap anti virus software?

Thank You

SiliconChip

Assuming your OS is Windows 10 or 11 then free is the answer, use built in Defender, topped up by downloading the free version of Malwarebytes. If you have an earlier version of Windows then a different solution may be required (the best one being to upgrade to 10 or 11 if possible). And if you're not a Windows user then you probably don't need AV at all.

RumRat

Built in defender seconded if using 10 or 11. No reason to pay for anything.

[Deleted User]

Other free defences to compliment the above answers are:

1. Browser content filtering such as the open source uBlock origin - not just an adblocker but also blocks malicious URL's. Works with Chrome / Opera / Firefox / Edge / Safari

https://ublockorigin.com/

2. Anti-malware DNS such as Cloudfare - configure in your router to protect the whole household:

Malware Blocking:
Primary DNS: 1.1.1.2
Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.2

3. Safe browsing mode - eg in Chrome enable enhanced security

chrome://settings/security

4. And of course number 1 malware protection is your first finger on the mouse clicker - think before you click, check any links you are not sure of in an online malware checker such as VirusTotal - just paste in the URL and it will scan it.

https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/url

You can also submit files to it and it will run them through all the major antivirus tools for free.