Is Windows Defender for Windows 8 enough ??

susmasharma

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I was wondering if windows defender will provide enough security or should we use other anti virus too in windows 8...
 
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I haven't used anything but Windows Defender and previously MSE (windows 7) and I have never had any issues.

No setup is fool proof. Literally unfortunately. And too much protection can tax your hardware/software.

Thus, the #1 AV and anti-malware protection is Common Sense. Your AV/Firewall is just backup. ;)
 

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I agree with the best A/V being common sense and Windows Defender is enough unless you view some dodgy sites.

As with a firewall, that is a must for any machine and should not be considered as a 'backup' since poor firewall setup can leave your machine vulnerable to network related attacks which cannot be avoided with common sense.

Josh :)
 

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Windows defender is enough antivirus protection for Windows 8, however I would compliment it with Malwarebytes free or Pro
Free, you have to do manual scans, pro- allows you to schedule scans and runs in real time and works just fine on Windows 8

As for a firewall other than Windows 8, I recommend you getting a router and connecting it up to your modem, it has a hardware firewall in it and if Windows 8 one fails you have a backup.
 

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Hi there
to the OP --simple answer - for home use (not corporate LANS) -- YES.

Any other A/V software paid or free is a WASTE OF RESOURCES AND MONEY (IF USING PAID VERSIONS).

In any case the best protection is YOURSELF in how you surf, whether you use pirate software from torrent sites, how you handle email and how much private info you store on social media sites etc.

Don't ever bother with those comparative lists of how good / bad A/V software is measured against each other -- that stuff is ALWAYS at least a month out of date -- a new piece of malware could occur at ANY time so the results you read are not at all valid for the CURRENT situation in any case.

Ms updates Windows defender for W8 and MSE for W7 very frequently --probably faster than any of the third party suppliers - especially as Ms has the Windows kernel source code.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Good advice here!!
 

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Hi there
to the OP --simple answer - for home use (not corporate LANS) -- YES.

Any other A/V software paid or free is a WASTE OF RESOURCES AND MONEY (IF USING PAID VERSIONS).

In any case the best protection is YOURSELF in how you surf, whether you use pirate software from torrent sites, how you handle email and how much private info you store on social media sites etc.

Don't ever bother with those comparative lists of how good / bad A/V software is measured against each other -- that stuff is ALWAYS at least a month out of date -- a new piece of malware could occur at ANY time so the results you read are not at all valid for the CURRENT situation in any case.

Ms updates Windows defender for W8 and MSE for W7 very frequently --probably faster than any of the third party suppliers - especially as Ms has the Windows kernel source code.

Cheers
jimbo

While I agree about most of it, I did run in a lot of problems people had when using MSE and later had to clean up their computers. For somebody experienced enough on the internet it might be just enough but for others and careless ones I feel that more protection is needed. I use, recommend and install Avast free, it has very reasonable protection with not too high taxing on the system and if left with non-stop internet connection it updates up to 5 times a day and that's much more often than MSE and Defender. Most of newer computers with multicore processors and 4-8 GB of memory will not even notice a good AV or it will not have any noticeable impact on performance.
Even with best protection it is advisable to run a check with other malware cleaning programs every now and than.
 

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Susmasharma, Nice question i had the same in my mind. i am new to windows 8 and i would really like to hear a perfect answer for this question. i dont use any pirated software so it will be safe with windows defender?
 
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    I love my laptop whatever it is :)
Susmasharma, Nice question i had the same in my mind. i am new to windows 8 and i would really like to hear a perfect answer for this question. i dont use any pirated software so it will be safe with windows defender?

"Pirated software" is the least of your worries, it's internet, strange e-mail and other people's memory sticks and CD/DVDs you got to be careful about.
 

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    16GB Kingston 3600
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    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
It really does not matter which one you use, none of them are perfect, you need as jimbo said watch where you go, you need to have safe surfing, you need to read, you need to watch where you go, you need common sense, if you stick your finger in fire it will burn, the same thing with the Internet You can have mega protection and still pull something in
 

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    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
I haven't used anything but Windows Defender and previously MSE (windows 7) and I have never had any issues.

No setup is fool proof. Literally unfortunately. And too much protection can tax your hardware/software.

Thus, the #1 AV and anti-malware protection is Common Sense. Your AV/Firewall is just backup. ;)

Yep!!
 

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  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
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    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
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    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
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    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
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    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
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    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
I was wondering if windows defender will provide enough security or should we use other anti virus too in windows 8...

I think it depends on your daily network. For me, it is enough, but if there a powerful malware, I still have to install a anti virus.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    windows 8.1 preview
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE
Right now I'm using Windows Defender and Malwarebytes because I'm a broke ass student but what do you all think of Avast or AVG, both free versions of course.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    Laptop
Well, it is a good security tool for windows. Since you are using it and still worried for your system’s security; then I would suggest you to use dual virus protection for your windows 8 system. Get an antivirus which is compatible with windows defender like Immunet 3.0, Avira, and Kaspersky etc and install anyone of them. With dual security protection, you need not to worry about virus or malicious infections. Do practice safe browsing from your computer. Don’t use incompatible tool as it will cause conflicting issues.
 

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  • OS
    Window
Well, it is a good security tool for windows. Since you are using it and still worried for your system’s security; then I would suggest you to use dual virus protection for your windows 8 system. Get an antivirus which is compatible with windows defender like Immunet 3.0, Avira, and Kaspersky etc and install anyone of them. With dual security protection, you need not to worry about virus or malicious infections. Do practice safe browsing from your computer. Don’t use incompatible tool as it will cause conflicting issues.


I disagree, you are not suppose to run 2 antivirus protection because they will fight each other and you will wind up crashing Windows 8, windows defender is made for windows 8 and is excellent but if you want extra protection, you can purchase Malwarebytes pro or get the free addition and run manual weekly scans. The pro versions you can set up scans to do it automatically and it will protect you in real time and does not interfere with your antivirus program. The rest is what I posted prior about having common sense and watching where you go
go.
also kaspersky and Avira and avg or avast will turn off WD when install because they cannot run along side WD which is again another antivirus program. All antivirus programs when you install them warn you or will not install if there is another antivirus program installed
 

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    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Agasta, stick with what you have and download Malwarebytes free version and run it once a week. Follow my suggestion about safe surfing and you will be just fine:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
Although Defender seems to be effective generally, I'd also go with having Malwarebytes running occasionally - if you ever try to download, or upgrade a utility, manual, driver or something from a page with confusing array of download buttons, it is easy to pick up some PUP (potentially unwanted program) or BHO (browser helper object) that slows things down and may open your system up to further malicious exploits.

Defender does not guard against these with the strength or determination that it guards against programs that may be related to piracy against Microsoft applications and OSs, and often lets these nuisance programs through.

The worst problem is psychological - when Windows seems to be behaving worse than it should do, it is far too easy to panic and download unnecessary programs that promise a lot and yet leave you more vulnerable than ever. Never fall for traps like "Your computer is Running slow", or "2 people are trying to spy on your computer"...
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
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    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
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    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
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    inbuilt
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    touchpad
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    Chrome Canary usually
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    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
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