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Thread ID: 137695 2014-08-09 02:55:00 Windows 7 - best anti-virus etc? Greg (193) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1381248 2014-08-09 02:55:00 I noticed that my friend's Win 7 has Defender built in - is this adequate defence against nasties? Greg (193)
1381249 2014-08-09 03:17:00 No, not really, it's not the same as a full AV program. Nick G (16709)
1381250 2014-08-09 03:37:00 It may not be better but even some of the paid for AV programs are worse Speedy Gonzales (78)
1381251 2014-08-09 04:16:00 Haven't actually seen Windows Defender stop anything yet. ;)

Keep away from Trend Micro as well, got a PC here right now riddled with infections and up to date trend says its clean :groan:
wainuitech (129)
1381252 2014-08-09 10:33:00 Totally not, the windows 7 Defender is a basic anti-malware tool as opposed to the windows 8 one which is also an anti-virus.
As a minimum you'd want to upgrade to microsoft security essentials which is the equivalent of windows 8 defender and is free.

Add MBAM as a backup and apply some common sense browsing habits and that's an adequate protection (but not the best or great) for sensible computer literate people. It's what I've used for several years without incident.
If your friend is the sort of person who's prone to clicking on website alerts or installing software by spamming next until it's finished they'll want something better (like NOD32 for example).
dugimodo (138)
1381253 2014-08-10 23:12:00 Ive seen 'nasties' get through EVERY commonly used antivirus program. All of them.
Ive seen AV completely fail to detect virus's that could be seen with the Mk1 eyeball (suspicious exe in the startup folder)

So the answer is yes, & no.
Win Defender is probhably not that good, but if you do stupid things you could get infected no matter what AV you use.
Thats why its often the same people getting re-infected over & over again, despite have the recommended AV.

Common sense is the best protection.
Personally, I would put on a better AV, either NOD32 or Avast .
1101 (13337)
1381254 2014-08-11 00:05:00 Personally, I would put on a better AV, either NOD32 or Avast .Is it people's opinion that I should/could use Avast (free) on my own Win 8.1 machine? Greg (193)
1381255 2014-08-11 00:09:00 Out of the free AV's, Avast is my favourite. Nick G (16709)
1381256 2014-08-11 00:15:00 Is it people's opinion that I should/could use Avast (free) on my own Win 8.1 machine?Or will it conflict with 8.1's Defender in some way?

I find it uncomfortable not being able to scan a downloaded .exe file specifically with Defender before running it.
Greg (193)
1381257 2014-08-11 22:16:00 Or will it conflict with 8.1's Defender in some way?

I find it uncomfortable not being able to scan a downloaded .exe file specifically with Defender before running it.

No, not likely to conflict (I run Avast as well), but you can disable Defender. Its practically useless if you have other anti-malware apps installed.
autechre (266)
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