Windows Defender - Can I rest at ease

mb1280

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I have been using AVG Free, and doing a full scan once a week.

I found out that Win 8 has Win Defender, in which they combined MSSE, and it does real-time protection, which I thought was great, so I switched. I had tried MSSE with Win XP, but it was so slow, it took like 3 hours to scan my computer vs. 1 hour 15 for AVG. I think MSSE was really good at getting the viruses though.

Then, I have read on AV Comparatives Win Defender only gets 75% on the test. What's the story?

The best two look like Kaspersky or Bitdefender.

Does anyone else Use Win8's Win Defender?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq DC7600 Convertible Minitower
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 4 521, Prescott 90nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 09F0h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
    Memory
    2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 2311
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    149GB SAMSUNG HD160JJ ATA Device (SATA)
    233GB Maxtor 7L250S0 ATA Device (SATA)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse K64325
    Internet Speed
    1.5MB DSL
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast, Malwarebytes
Does anyone else Use Windows 8's Win Defender?

No.
I trust Avast {paid version}.

screenshot_82.jpg

I have 8.1 Update 1 + June Updates.

I got Avast for $29.99. :) --- {About 8 cents/day}
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Windows 8 defender provides basic protection. Only you can decide if that is good enough for you. It's just fine by me, I cannot justify $50-60-70 a year for virus protection based on my web surfing habits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I have been using AVG Free, and doing a full scan once a week.

I found out that Win 8 has Win Defender, in which they combined MSSE, and it does real-time protection, which I thought was great, so I switched. I had tried MSSE with Win XP, but it was so slow, it took like 3 hours to scan my computer vs. 1 hour 15 for AVG. I think MSSE was really good at getting the viruses though.

Then, I have read on AV Comparatives Win Defender only gets 75% on the test. What's the story?

The best two look like Kaspersky or Bitdefender.

Does anyone else Use Win8's Win Defender?

If you can cope with the slow scans then MSE is not too bad. But it scores badly on most comparisons.
On my PC, which has 4TB of storage (50% occupied) I had to abort a scan after 14 hours.
Both aVast and Malwarebytes can perform a full scan of my disks in 2-3 hours.

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-B75M-D2V
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-B75M-D2V
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    GE Force GT 610
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek High Def
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2913WMP
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB
    Seagate ST2000DL003-9VT166 2TB
    Seagate ST31000528AS 1TB
My current conclusions of what to use, after reading around, and figuring out how to get rid of Open Candy, that I got from Crystal Disk Info:

Avast Free . . . Adwcleaner . . . Malwarebytes Free . . . HitmanPro
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq DC7600 Convertible Minitower
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 4 521, Prescott 90nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 09F0h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
    Memory
    2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 2311
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    149GB SAMSUNG HD160JJ ATA Device (SATA)
    233GB Maxtor 7L250S0 ATA Device (SATA)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse K64325
    Internet Speed
    1.5MB DSL
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast, Malwarebytes
Personally I think any major brand paid version of Anti-Virus will always do better, that is what you pay for. However if on a budget then I recommend staying on defender and going with Malwarebytes as I have seen things slip past Avast! but between Defender and Malwarebytes Pro I have had almost no infection get past the security.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP2740
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    W740SU
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Pro 5200
    Sound Card
    High Defenition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps cable, NETGEAR Night Hawk AC1900
    Browser
    Firefox 38.0.5
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Pro
I saw some review where it showed that Win 8 Defender only got 75% detection rate.

Avast is the #1 Free AV on download.com, so between the two Avast wins.

Combine that with Malwarebytes free, Adwcleaner, HitMan Pro or IOBit

I've been using Avast 2014 for a week or so now, it seems pretty good. If your computer isn't on for a scheduled scan though, it just forgets about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq DC7600 Convertible Minitower
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 4 521, Prescott 90nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 09F0h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
    Memory
    2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 2311
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    149GB SAMSUNG HD160JJ ATA Device (SATA)
    233GB Maxtor 7L250S0 ATA Device (SATA)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse K64325
    Internet Speed
    1.5MB DSL
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast, Malwarebytes
I saw some review where it showed that Win 8 Defender only got 75% detection rate.

Avast is the #1 Free AV on download.com, so between the two Avast wins.

Combine that with Malwarebytes free, Adwcleaner, HitMan Pro or IOBit


I've been using Avast 2014 for a week or so now, it seems pretty good. If your computer isn't on for a scheduled scan though, it just forgets about it.

Could you show the source? I have seen numerous reviews and studies showing defender ranking from 87% to 94% compared o Avast 95-97%. Avast is an obvious winner but I have never seen defender score that low.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sager NP2740
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4702HQ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    W740SU
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Pro 5200
    Sound Card
    High Defenition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250 GB mSATA
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps cable, NETGEAR Night Hawk AC1900
    Browser
    Firefox 38.0.5
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Pro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq DC7600 Convertible Minitower
    CPU
    Intel Pentium 4 521, Prescott 90nm Technology
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 09F0h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
    Memory
    2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 2311
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    149GB SAMSUNG HD160JJ ATA Device (SATA)
    233GB Maxtor 7L250S0 ATA Device (SATA)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse K64325
    Internet Speed
    1.5MB DSL
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast, Malwarebytes
No, you may not "rest at ease", even if you had all and best AVs in the world. Due vigilance on internet can do much more.
 

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
No, you may not "rest at ease", even if you had all and best AVs in the world. Due vigilance on internet can do much more.

Very true. It is impossible to have a "up to date catch all" AV simply because of all the different malware being released into the wild at any given time.

When a new malware version is released, the AV scanners may not recognize it since it is brand new. The malware must first be identified, then samples submitted to the AV companies.

From that point, the companies must analyze the code, find a way to neutralize it & then issue definition updates. The analytical process of the malware can take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the complexity. Meanwhile, the new malware is spreading.

Once a cure is found, the updated definitions/fixes have to be issued to users. Since this may take some time also, more time is allowed for the malware to spread. All in all, anytime a new malware variant comes out, it takes time to find the fix. So even if your AV definitions are up to date, they may not guard against the new malware strain released just 5 minutes ago.

Vigilance is something that needs to be maintained nowadays if you want to keep your PC virus free. And even that isn't enough sometimes....
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
Truthfully spoken, online life is not much different than real life where even with all the guards and security measures even presidents get assassinated. Sitting behind the screen and keyboard you may seem protected enough but must not forget that there are many people that do that too but are hell-bent to do you harm even without apparent reason or rime. They are in the same world as you but armed much better.
 

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 seem to have very few problems surfing on line. If you avoid certain places, many of your issues just go away. Don't click on the links to see the latest nude celebrity, don't jump at the chance to get your free copy of Adobe Photoshop. Honestly, when you avoid a lot of that kind of stuff, problems tend to be fewer and farther between. Not saying a simply drive by style attack cannot happen at a random trusted site, but it's less likely than the aforementioned things.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.

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
It was always meant as a basic tool. Plus, if it was a "great" tool, the third parties would complain that MS is a monopoly and not giving them a chance in this market space.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've been using WD and Malwarebytes Pro with no issues at all. I like MBP because anything with opencandy is always detected before install starts and it can be quarantined (installing PowerISO for instance). Avast! always seemed to slow my computer up


malwarebytes.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update 1, 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 660

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
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