Do I need a 3rd party antivirus for my windows system Y/N =NO

[AFFASocial]

Windows Defender in 2021​

Most experts would advise you not to rely on MS Windows built-in antivirus due to its unreliability.

However, that is no longer the case since 2019.

Before now, Windows users would usually deactivate Windows Defender and install other third-party antivirus programs. Things have significantly turned around.

In 2020, Microsoft Defender was voted one of the best antivirus applications. AV-Test, an independent testing lab, carried out thorough testing in May-June 2020. Windows Defender got a 6.0/6 score in the AV-Test report, which is quite incredible.

I say NO you do not need 3rd party antivirus apps in windows.

This is now a user preference choice, but it is not needed

 

[DVDR_Dog]

Microsoft Defender for Windows is getting a massive overhaul​

Thanks Lawrence Abrams and the folks at bleeping computer.

Url.rw - Simplifying URLs for the Digital Age

That being said I still prefer Webroot and will renew my subscription in December, we get along well with each other.

 

[BigBlueOctopus]

any recommendations for a good all-around NON-system hugging antivirus software?

 

[DVDR_Dog]

Webroot, a good ad blocker (uBlock Origin for sure) and some common sense. Ublock can be a little bit paranoid but that's OK. Most importantly if you are downloading always submit to virustotal if you have any questions at all.
Webroot has a very easy GUI for controlling their firewall, Defender is a pain in the ass. Webroot can be temporarily disabled as they will alert for cracks, just like any other A/V but isn't an asshole about it.
I have not had a need to bring in any other protection/remediation software with this set-up. Malwarebytes ain't what is used to be I am told.

 

[mollyvaynerchuck]

The virus sounds scary, especially given the COVID-19 epidemic. Of course, viruses do not only apply to humans; They are also especially applicable to all devices connected to the Internet, computers, phones, and tablets. But since some operating systems have built-in antivirus protection, is it really necessary to purchase third-party antivirus software?

Overall, you may still need antivirus software, but some device types need it more than others. The only operating system on which you do not need to install antivirus software is iPhones. However, antivirus software is still required for Windows, macOS, and Android.

Why you still need antivirus software
The new malware and other online threats appear every day. In fact, the AV-Test Institute registers more than 350,000 new malware and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) every day. Yes, you read that right: every day. In general, malware is a bigger problem than PUAs, accounting for 12 percent of all threats from PUAs in 2020.

However, some operating systems are more susceptible to viruses than others, with Windows leading the way. As of January 25, 2021, 87% of ransomware targets Windows computers, according to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) .2

Percentage of operating systems targeted by ransomware as per MSP 01/25/21
Window 87%
Windows Tablet 11%
macOS X 7%
Android 5%
iOS 3%

Key Features
Here are the basics that each antivirus program includes in its software:

Behavior-Based Search: Behavior-based search means that software can detect viruses and malware even if they are not already in an existing database.

Scan: Most software programs have on-demand and on-access scans that you can schedule, run continuously, or run at any time.

Virus Quarantine and Removal: If the software detects a virus, it will catch it so that it cannot infect the rest of your device and remove it completely.

Security while surfing the web: From phishing emails to malicious websites, antivirus software protects you on your device both online and locally.

 

[davidwil]

Windows has had virus protection for many years, and the latest iteration found in Windows 10 is the strongest it's ever been. If your laptop or PC didn't come with any other antivirus software pre-installed then Windows Defender will already be protecting your system.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

I still feel like it's the fox guarding the henhouse. It's almost like admitting your weaknesses needing to protect the code you have already written. I understand Defender, Security or whatever the latest itineration may be holds up ok in 3rd party A/V tests

 

[Gtip]

Hi,

Well the windows Defender it self a very good system security software. But if you are looking for the other good antivirus software then you can try systweak antivirus and Mcafee antivirus are two good antivirus software

​

​

 

[Ultimately 7]

Forgive me, but due to recent events the last few years, it just occurred to me how funny these sorts of conversations sound, with the terminology and references to antivirus manufacturers (i.e. Pharmacies) and "viruses" ... and their "vaccines" that people buy when they do not even have a "virus"... and they buy these "vaccines" (some even invoke the term "vaccine" into their software labels *chuckle*) and they "inject" these "vaccines" into their "systems" and their systems start clogging up and slowing down and etc...

Add to that that the so-called inventor of Windows was notorious for marketing a product that was loaded with "viruses"... and then he moves on later to work in what field...? One just can't make this stuff up.

But I digress... Kindly forgive me...

No... no one needs a 3rd party antivirus "shot", because their OS should come with a perfectly healthy "immune system" already designed into it... only requiring that the one running the system be responsible and use common sense and not "ingest" poisonous things that will kill the OS system... *chuckle*

The fear porn of trying to convince and persuade individuals that their OS needs constant security updates is about as apparent as the manufacturer admitting that they sold a car off the assembly line before they attached the doors, weather-stripping, bonnet and hub-caps, and one has to constantly experience down time for the idiots who sold the incomplete product to finish the job. *chuckle*

The best "3rd Party" defense is a responsible User of that System... like a Mind to its Body, that the both are attached to each other.

This is, of course, my view and humble opinion... and kind regards to all.

If one wants to entrust their "System" to the "Manufacturer" and not know about the "System" and just trust the updates, then fine... or to entrust ones personal "System" to 3rd-Party Fear Mongers, who depend on one injecting their "System" with a "vaccine" cure... when one's "System" is running perfectly normal... then fine!

Trusting that none of these means do not come with back-door apps and telemetry is up to the one,,, but not my cup of tea.

For example... Windows 7 back-door Telemetry... ya better delete it from your "System"...

kb:3035583
kb:2952664
kb:3068708
kb:3022345
kb:3075249
kb:3080149
kb:971033
kb:2990214
kb:3021917
kb:3123862

Convert this into a .cmd command using notepad

wusa /uninstall /kb:3035583 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2952664 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3068708 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3022345 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3075249 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3080149 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:971033 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2990214 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3021917 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3123862 /quiet /norestart

Anyway... y'all go on with what you think is best for your... "System".

I'll keep my system to myself and not trust the false-positive PCr results that Big Pharma Kaspersky and MalwareBytes and others tell me I'd better watch out for (Baba0Yaga)... and jump on the band-wagon to have a "vaccine" put into my OS "system" (mRNA Graphene Nano-Bots) so that I can be tracked and traced. *chuckle*

The similarities are beggaring. aren't they?

Maybe Gates was only "practicing" with his "Windows" "System"?

 

[DVDR_Dog]

Just to continue this theme, what are the roots of most security "holes".
99% of the time, it's the ease of use or the GUI that ultimately provides those open doors in one way or another. Why do you think Linux users consider that O/S the holy grail? Why it's command line driven, however take a flavor (Unix) slap a GUI on it (Mac OS) and presto, you have a O/S that can be penetrated.
So the real problem isn't the kernal but rather the GUI or other user ease of use accommodations that creates the security problems. These are the problems that the "fixes" then require another "fix" to repair and so on. So in the end there really isn't a solution. Liken it to the autonomous vehicle navigation programs being presented and look at what happens when they go wrong, but hey everyone wants to focus on the ease it presents. Or an even more gruesome example the MCAS system on the 737 MAX that killed so many people. The circumstances surrounding those events are beyond the scope of this forum, however it's yet another example of making things easier without understanding the total ramifications.

 

[Talaba]

Yes. If you want more control on your files. Which means you can back files which Defender "eat" and they are false-positive. Like cracks, activators and other beautiful stuffs.

 

[hacxx]

Windows Defender in 2021​

Most experts would advise you not to rely on MS Windows built-in antivirus due to its unreliability.

However, that is no longer the case since 2019.

Before now, Windows users would usually deactivate Windows Defender and install other third-party antivirus programs. Things have significantly turned around.

In 2020, Microsoft Defender was voted one of the best antivirus applications. AV-Test, an independent testing lab, carried out thorough testing in May-June 2020. Windows Defender got a 6.0/6 score in the AV-Test report, which is quite incredible.

I say NO you do not need 3rd party antivirus apps in windows.

This is now a user preference choice, but it is not needed

If you want antivirus, go to virustotal and search one. Download and install.

 

[Buster Friendly]

Well, Windows Defender suffices completely.
Important is, that you install your OS on a separate drive. when you are infected, it's way easier to setup a complete new machine.
I run that like written now for years.

I had ONE infection in over 20 years.
I have Win Defender and 360° free software.

 

[hacxx]

Windows Defender in 2021​

Most experts would advise you not to rely on MS Windows built-in antivirus due to its unreliability.

However, that is no longer the case since 2019.

Before now, Windows users would usually deactivate Windows Defender and install other third-party antivirus programs. Things have significantly turned around.

In 2020, Microsoft Defender was voted one of the best antivirus applications. AV-Test, an independent testing lab, carried out thorough testing in May-June 2020. Windows Defender got a 6.0/6 score in the AV-Test report, which is quite incredible.

I say NO you do not need 3rd party antivirus apps in windows.

This is now a user preference choice, but it is not needed

Yes

 

[DVDR_Dog]

What really bothers me is #1 you are stuck with Defender even if you install a 3rd party A/V Microsoft via Defender is still looking over your shoulder. Worse the terms of Defender seem fluid so now that Microsoft insists (and enforces) that Defender is now essential for Windows operation period. So no matter what you do, no matter how many registry hacks or whatever, Defender is omnipresent tracking input and output of your system and I find that really troublesome.
This was cleverly slipped into Windows as a Trojan Horse initially as a free antivirus and it's grip tightens as time goes on.

 

[hacxx]

Defender does the trick

 

[DVDR_Dog]

The fact it is installed on every Windows system makes it a better target than Norton was back in the day.
Defender seems more interested in stopping pirated software than system privacy and security. Keep looking around and find a 3rd party package that suits your individual needs. I have been hit relying on Windows Security (formally known as Defender) that other products would have caught. Defender is an also addon to Windows and subject to the whims of Microsoft and has no economic stake in producing a product that is worth buying, just a something that Microsoft added on. It had noble beginnings as Defender, there is no incentive for Microsoft to keep this product performing well other than blocking hacks and cracks these days.

 

[Te-Slappa]

Windows Defender in 2021​

Most experts would advise you not to rely on MS Windows built-in antivirus due to its unreliability.

However, that is no longer the case since 2019.

Before now, Windows users would usually deactivate Windows Defender and install other third-party antivirus programs. Things have significantly turned around.

In 2020, Microsoft Defender was voted one of the best antivirus applications. AV-Test, an independent testing lab, carried out thorough testing in May-June 2020. Windows Defender got a 6.0/6 score in the AV-Test report, which is quite incredible.

I say NO you do not need 3rd party antivirus apps in windows.

This is now a user preference choice, but it is not needed

yeah nah

do a clean install, setup apps install games and backup the disk i use Aomei Backupper on new pc if i get the pox or even think i got it i nuke the drive with a clean image and im back up running with everything sorted in less than 5 mins tops. i dont run any antivirus or firewall cause they dont stop shit really lets be honest.... i have Hitman pro and trend micro house call for checking the pc some times very lite on the system and i run fiddler to check if software is sending info out real cool little app

I Run windows 10 22h2 with the atlas mod this debloats windows and removes Malicious removal tool so bogie software's can be installed and my office 2007 with the file format updates for later versions of office files works great on docx and xlsx files and no Microsoft spyware at all

 

[AFFASocial]

yeah nah

do a clean install, setup apps install games and backup the disk i use Aomei Backupper on new pc if i get the pox or even think i got it i nuke the drive with a clean image and im back up running with everything sorted in less than 5 mins tops. i dont run any antivirus or firewall cause they dont stop shit really lets be honest.... i have Hitman pro and trend micro house call for checking the pc some times very lite on the system and i run fiddler to check if software is sending info out real cool little app

I Run windows 10 22h2 with the atlas mod this debloats windows and removes Malicious removal tool so bogie software's can be installed and my office 2007 with the file format updates for later versions of office files works great on docx and xlsx files and no Microsoft spyware at all

Yes, it is very true that if you know what you're doing, you don't need A/V at ALL. To me, I leave defender on Windows and after a fresh install I exclude first the download folder and any other files/folders/drives in icon Windows Security, then select virus & threat protection, then select manage settings, then select add or remove exclusions, in here is where we set the Exclusions.

Me, I have 4 bay docking station fully loaded, and they are all excluded from the scans. All my works and projects never scanned or messed with by WINDOWS or Defender.

 

[hacxx]

The fact it is installed on every Windows system makes it a better target than Norton was back in the day.
Defender seems more interested in stopping pirated software than system privacy and security. Keep looking around and find a 3rd party package that suits your individual needs. I have been hit relying on Windows Security (formally known as Defender) that other products would have caught. Defender is an also addon to Windows and subject to the whims of Microsoft and has no economic stake in producing a product that is worth buying, just a something that Microsoft added on. It had noble beginnings as Defender, there is no incentive for Microsoft to keep this product performing well other than blocking hacks and cracks these days.

Defender is enough to protect a computer running Windows. Never execute .exe, .com, .pdf, .hta, vbs and extensions that execute commands on a machine for unknown sources or reliable sources too. Use virtual machine.

Defender is efficient on blocking threads, new malware code and general malware. I have developed a few vbs virus with code that is undetected, and Defender is capable of blocking them based on the characteristics of the code.

Microsoft should integrate AI on Defender.

The only thing that Defender is not good is with crypters (new and old) as this type of software is build to bypass Defender and other antivirus and install malware.