Best Antivirus/Protection Software?

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Hey all,

Like most folks these days I work a lot from home and use my home computer connected to the company network. Because of that, my company let me install a client on my home computer for our company’s antivirus software. My company uses Webroot SecureAnywhere Endpoint Protection.

I am leaving the company at the end of the year, so I will lose my Webroot client on my home computer at that time. Consequently, I am looking around for a replacement for the Webroot antivirus software.

I could just get the standalone version of Webroot (which I am used to), but I wanted to see if anyone had a good suggestion for something better. I also had one of our IT guys tell me not to buy anything, because Windows Defender was just as good as any commercial software.

Any suggestions. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

 

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I’ve run Windows Defender for many years as my primary A/V and have never had an issue. It is slower to do a full scan than other products. I also run a full Malwarebytes scan monthly for a second opinion. The free version of Malwarebytes. Then, every other month I choose a free online scan from one of the bigger third-party vendors.

That plus a healthy dose of scepticism and paranoia online have served me well.

--Joe

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ThePhoenix

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I can’t say that I would recommend continuing to use Webroot. It used to get fairly poor test results on antivirus comparison tests, and has since withdrawn from participating in the major tests, which tells you all you need to know.

Windows Defender is certainly a possibility. There was recently a thread on the pros and cons of Windows Defender: click here to see it.

I linked these two testing websites in the above thread, and they are useful for comparisons:
https://www.av-comparatives.org/comparison/
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

And as joep517 said, running regular scans with Malwarebytes Free is always good. It’s not a replacement for a proper security program, but it can catch things that more traditional security programs don’t.

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ThePhoenix, Microfix

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That goes also for Webroot for Macs. I include the following comment, because the name of this thread does not specify a particular operating system.

I have changed in mine Webroot SecureAnywhere for Intego, recommended by Nathan Parker, and it works OK, as far as I can tell. Unlike Webroot, it does not sent hashes of the files to be examined to the “Cloud”, but downloads, often, malware signatures that the are used to check the files, something that is done in one’s computer. This is slower, in principle, than the Webroot approach, but in practice there are times during the day when the servers at Webroot are probably to busy and the scan would take more than 10 minutes. The scans with Intego, are considerably faster than that, if one chooses to make the “quick” scans, as I do daily before calling it a day. Besides, Intego works in real time, meaning that it checks any files that are new when they first show up, or are modified, when this happens.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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And I also run free version of Malwarebytes “for backup”, same as Joep517 does, only I do it daily, right after my daily scan with Intego and just before calling it a day.

I got the idea from a comment by PK, who said that is what’s done.

Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).

MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV

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My bad. I did not say that mine was a Windows 10 computer.

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You’ll get a lot of suggestions, pros and cons here, Phoenix.  Regardless of the product, here are some things you might want to look for when deciding to go with either the freebie (Defender), or a third-party AV app;

1. Does the vendor offer 24/7 telephone support?
2. Does the vendor offer 24/7 chat support for questions?
3. Does the product also offer a firewall and VPN bundled with it?
4. Can the product be installed on mobile devices? (Multiple licenses)

Most of the ‘power players’ in Security Suites offer all of these.  If they don’t, skip them.  The most often overlooked feature is being able to install your Security software on Mobile devices (smartphones), since most people buy and bank with them, and thus are also worthy of top-shelf protection.

 

 

"War is the remedy our enemies have chosen. And I say let us give them all they want" ----- William T. Sherman

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ThePhoenix

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S/W for mobile devices may be nice but some people do not want a bloated monstrosity on their computers which in the opinion of some an ‘AV’ suite is.

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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ThePhoenix

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I agree. That is one of the reasons I posted this question. I had bad experiences with a bloated suite some time ago, and I wanted to be sure I didn’t get that again. Thanks!

 

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Altogether a very personal and subjective request…
Anything with a low false+ and high detection rate in the AV-comparitives
previously linked by by Sky
Variable and statistical test results fluctuate over time periods along with the offending methods of intrusion so, it’s your choice.
We’ve had good clean experiences with Bitdefender Free on older windows and the integrated MSFT Defender on a W10

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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ThePhoenix

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Years ago I saw a lot of people get viruses on computers.  Lately I only see this on people at high risk meaning those who use software from random sources, or users of email attachments.  The advantage I see of Microsoft Defender is that it almost never blocks a browser or updated version of a browser from working, nor other software like games.  The amount it reduces performance feels not too heavy, especially when large programs like a browser or an office suite are loading.  Opening Chrome on computers with third party antivirus software I have seen take several seconds.  And Defender almost never leads to a computer that won’t boot or connect to internet after a Microsoft or other update.  With third party antivirus, browsers not working or updates causing problems I think is much more common.

In conclusion, unless you are a high risk user I think you will be much happier with Defender.  Don’t add software unless you really need it, get games from their official seller. If you need to get email attachments or files from colleagues, always show file extensions so a .doc that is a .doc.exe will be more obvious, and always think before opening an attachment.

-BB

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ThePhoenix, wavy

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Thanks everyone for the responses to my question! This has been very helpful.

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Microsoft Defender got the highest score of 18 in The best Windows antivirus software for home users

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[TechTango]

Any suggestions. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

I’ve been a Bitdefender user for many years and I’m very happy with it. It has many handy tools and settings, but the two simple features I appreciate the most are the Desktop Widget, and ultra friendly firewall settings.

For example, I still use Ccleaner but I block it from “phoning home” and checking for updates. When I do want to check for updates, unblocking and re-blocking Ccleaner is super easy. See screenshot. I also use individual Glary Utilities, but they don’t phone home.

Other apps I block from internet access are PDF-SAM (full pdf editor) and Skype.

=============================================
Desktop: Asus Motherboard TUF-X299 Mark 1, CoolerMaster case.
Intel(R) Core i7-7820X CPU @ 3.60GHz (overclocked-liquid cooled)
Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti GB GPU, RAM 16.0 GB
Windows 10 Pro, 21H1, OS build 19043.1110

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by TechTango. Reason: My attachment does not appear with my post. Stumped

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Cybertooth

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