Is Windows Defender okay?

Chuck38

Just livin life
VIP Member
Power User
Messages
463
Is Windows Defender okay or should I get a different Anti-virus. I really don't want to spend any money.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
It's fine and all you need if you're just reasonably careful on how you use the Internet. I also like that it is light-weight and updates continuously with no effort on my part.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Build
    CPU
    i7-4770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Gryphon Z87
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 750 Ti 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dells (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO, 240 GB SSD; WD Black 1TB
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W Gold
    Case
    Bitfenix Prodigy M - White
    Cooling
    NZXT Kracken 40
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    11Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MS Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Packard Bell
    CPU
    AMD A6 3420M 2GHZ Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB 1600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6520+7470M
    Browser
    Mozarella Firedog
    Antivirus
    AVAST!

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Most of the advice I've seen over the years recommend NOT running two anti-virus programs at the same time. E.g., https://blog.kaspersky.com/multiple-antivirus-programs-bad-idea/.

Some people run a weekly (or monthly?) scan with a second program, which seems like a better idea if you're really concerned.



Edit: Oops! ET got here first.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Build
    CPU
    i7-4770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Gryphon Z87
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws 2x8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 750 Ti 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dells (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO, 240 GB SSD; WD Black 1TB
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W Gold
    Case
    Bitfenix Prodigy M - White
    Cooling
    NZXT Kracken 40
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    11Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
Is Windows Defender okay or should I get a different Anti-virus. I really don't want to spend any money.

Windows Defender fully optimized should be sufficient, just make sure 'Real Time Protection' is on.

For in depth scans run MRT, (go to Start and type MRT then run it):

View attachment 39986

For file scans, add 'Scan with Windows Defender' to right click context menu:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15790-scan-windows-defender-add-windows-8-a.html

@ rchris: No probs! :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Okay, thanks guys! rchris, I do have a free version of Mcafee, or something along those lines, which I run monthly.

And, is Windows Firewall okay?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
It is as good as the money you pay for it. There are better AVs, but they cost. But don't run one of those freebies in addition to it. That will be very messy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
My apologies, i know running two AV's is a big nono, Didn't know windows defender in 8/8.1 was a full protection AV.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Packard Bell
    CPU
    AMD A6 3420M 2GHZ Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB 1600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6520+7470M
    Browser
    Mozarella Firedog
    Antivirus
    AVAST!
Oh okay, thanks for the tip whs. :thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
Although, best antivirus is between your ears, so to speak.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    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
I use Windows Defender and nothing else on my other laptop running 8.1 and i haven't had any Malware problems (That i am aware of) on it yet and it's been going for a couple months now! I do use the Web Of Trust Add on for chrome to help me avoid Malicious websites though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8-5600K Trinity 32nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. F2A55M-HD2
    Memory
    16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7560D
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    Internet Speed
    120mb/s down and 40mb/s up
    Browser
    Chrome 33
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security + Malwarebytes Pro
Windows Defender works great. It's all I have on all of my PC's.
As stated, Run MRT Full scan from time to time. Especially after it is updated through Windows Updates
Goto Search and type in MRT and hit Enter
Run Full Scan.

However, even if you did have a paid for A/V, or just using Windows Defender,
it is still recommended to run a couple of different on-line scanners as well from time to time.

Couple of examples and the only ones at this time I would recommend.
Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scanner from ESET
Free Internet Security Scan | Kaspersky Lab US

No single A/V Suite is perfect at all things.

A/V's to avoid?

Number 1 - AVG
McAffee
Trend

Kaspersky is ok, but has it's issues
Norton is ok, but has it's issues.
Eset NOD32 is better in my opinion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
WD is fine and as people say, it runs light on CPU, bit it runs heavy on HDD, so it might not be a good choice for laptops and such. I prefer to use PandaCloud, when there is a good internet connection.

A/V's to avoid?

Number 1 - AVG.
Any thoughts why? I always install AVG Free to computers, it is quite light with an email and linkscanner disabled and it is one of a few free AVs, that can be configured to deal with a virus without popups.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 465GB
    Cooling
    Fusion Tweaker
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    50/50 MBps
    Browser
    Yandex
    Antivirus
    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
It isn't as light to run as others, It has been known to cause several problems such as BSOD,
Avast and MSE offer better protection in my opinion, i never had any problems with AVG, i ran it for about 3 years and it was good, i then switched it out for avast and i haven't looked back:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Packard Bell
    CPU
    AMD A6 3420M 2GHZ Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB 1600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6520+7470M
    Browser
    Mozarella Firedog
    Antivirus
    AVAST!
Okay guy! Thanks for all the great advice! :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
AVG

Because I can write a book on the number of PC's I have had to clean up that had AVG installed
The number of times a system was infected beyond recognition with AVG installed
The number of times that running a different scanner finally caused AVG to realize it was infected, but still couldn't clean anything.

try having one PC with over 4000+ viruses that had replicated itself on a system with AVG installed.

Sorry, I will never ever recommend AVG.

Avast,, ok, but still,, I would recommend MSE/Windows Defender over Avast.

People would be better off not installing anything over having AVG
I would recommend McAfee before I would recommend AVG, and McAfee hasn't been very good for a very long time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Back
Top