Should I pay for anti-virus software or make do with Microsoft Defender

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I am a Windows 10 user who, for many years has paid for anti-virus software. My subscription is about to end and I find myself questioning whether I should pay for another year or use the Microsoft Defender for free.

I’m looking for a product that will (amongst other things), prompt me when any removeable device is connected (e.g. USB drive), and ask me whether it should perform a scan.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

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Hi bumblebee,

Regarding the prompt on removable drives etc. You can change the setting to ask every time, in the drop down box. The setting is in the control panel look for “AutoPlay” That would stop auto play.

Windows Defender does a good job, but some people that need extra protection because they click before they think. If you want something other then Windows Defender.

Bitdefender would be my choice.
It would auto scan removable drives.

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Brian Livingston wrote about this in a comprehensive post titled “Microsoft Defender Could Be Your Free Antivirus Fix” in the Ask Woody Plus Newsletter of 10/21/2024. He cited several independent studies in which Defender performed as well as paid software, particularly if you’re a web surfer who doesn’t visit risky sites (eg porn or bootleg software).

https://www.askwoody.com/newsletter/managing-your-hardware-with-powertoys/#public-defender

Plus Newsletters are available to Ask Woody paid members using a “name your price model”. For me, membership is a bargain with returns well beyond the investment.

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

2 users thanked author for this post.

bumblebee, Steve

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I’ve said this before;  If we cannot trust Microsoft to deliver and maintain a stable and secure operating system, why should we trust Microsoft to provide our security?

Think about it.

An advantage of using a third-party Internet Security suite is that the phone support is fairly good and reliable, and in the unlikely event you do get a bug, I know two vendors (Norton & McAfee) who will help you find and remove it.  If they cannot connect to your machine, they’ll go over step-by-step via the phone.   Doubtful that MS would offer this without charging for it.

 

 

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

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

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We can trust them to provide a stable and secure OS. Countless users everyday have no particular issues using Windows, or MAC OS, Linux etc.
Every OS has bugs, not all are patched regularly, for $0.

cheers, Paul

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Thanks everyone. I will renew my subscription to be a paid up member again and take a look at the newsletter article on this subject.

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