Do I need Anti Virus Software?

Barbee

New Member
Power User
Messages
267
Location
Western New York State
I'm running 8.1 and my computer repair guy said I didn't need virus protection because it was built right into 8.1. Is this true?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Windows Defender is built into Windows 8.1. Getting another AV program, such as Avast as an example, is a matter of choice.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
THank you. I just like to run one when things are not working right and I don't know how to run a scan in defender.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thank you. I downloaded Avira as backup. It won't hurt, right?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
No it won't but remember no AV is 100%, you just have to be careful how you surf, download and opening attachments.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
You can't have 2 AV programs running at the same time. I only use Windows Defender.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
1. No AV software is a 100% guarantee.
2. Defender is a built-in and free AV solution which works.
3. Other AV software will see defender and inactivate it so it no longer functions.
4. Check and see if you ISP provides a AV product for you to use, most of them do and they are free.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 and Linux (MINT)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Win 8 & Toshiba Linux
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster
Thank you. I downloaded Avira as backup. It won't hurt, right?

Avira is a good alternative but whether you use it or Windows Defender, downlaod and use Malwarebytes as an additional tool. Malware is far more prevalent than viruses and their free product detects and removes infections that anit virus programs miss. The Premium adds real time monitoring and faster scans options.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
While one cannot have two AVs running real time protections at the same time, one can have 2 AVs running scheduled scans through-out the week. Naturally, do not overlap the scans.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Avira AV free will insist on running real time protection; unless turned off in msconfig. However, it is a good product! Me? I use Avast AV.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Defender is off probably because I have Avira running so I went and deactivated Avira. Still no defender. I tried to uninstall Avira but it says I don't have permission. I went into security and checked that I'm listed as Administrator. So what gives?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 full version
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built Intel system
    CPU
    Intel 4790k
    Motherboard
    Asus Z-97 AR
    Memory
    8 (2 x 4) GB Gskill Ares 1600 mghz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Strix GTX 970
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Still working out the details
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB. 2 Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDd
    PSU
    EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX
    Case
    Raidmax Vampire full tower (black)
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 full version
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built Intel system
    CPU
    Intel 4790k
    Motherboard
    Asus Z-97 AR
    Memory
    8 (2 x 4) GB Gskill Ares 1600 mghz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Strix GTX 970
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Still working out the details
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB. 2 Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDd
    PSU
    EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX
    Case
    Raidmax Vampire full tower (black)
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Why not keep Avira and/or Avast? They are two of the top 20. Windows Defender is so often turned off, I turn it on [or can't turn it on], round N round we go -- finally, I simply left WD alone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Nothing is ever easy for me it seems. I don't get a screen like the one shown in the link. When I click on Windows Defender this is what pops up:

I'm afraid to uninstall Avira if I don't have Defender to protect me afterwards. I went to action center and disabled Avira. But it's still running. I tried to go back to that screen but it's no longer there in Action Center.
 

Attachments

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    defender.jpg
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Why not keep Avira and/or Avast? They are two of the top 20. Windows Defender is so often turned off, I turn it on [or can't turn it on], round N round we go -- finally, I simply WD alone.

Well, I could and that was my original question.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
If either Avast or Avira disappear from Action Center, probably a simply "dirty" reInstall is all that's needed to reintegrate same into your OS's Action Center.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
Dirty meaning.... install over the top of what I already have?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK M1188 Series
    CPU
    3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    AMD 64 bit
    Memory
    12.0GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 7310
    Internet Speed
    Business class
    Browser
    Chrome/FF/IE
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Correct, no need to uninstall and reinstall in this case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit [MS blue-disk set]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Acers & 1 Antec[?]
    CPU
    i7 in 2 Acers, i5 in desktop
    Motherboard
    Desktop w/Gigabyte
    Memory
    Two w/16GB, 1 w/8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Laptops GameWorthy; Desktop maybe GameWorthy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    flatscreens; 2 are BluRay worthy
    Screen Resolution
    1368x768; 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB internals; 2 ext usb WD 1TB HDs
    PSU
    what's PSU?
    Cooling
    Regular plus external fans
    Keyboard
    desktio w/PS2
    Mouse
    desktop w/PS2
    Internet Speed
    DSL middle level [160?]
    Browser
    from Netscape 0.9 to FF 36
    Antivirus
    well-balanced, well-configured mult-layered defense is best
    Other Info
    From MS-DOS 3.3, MS-DOS 6.22, from Windows 3.1 to WFW 3.11 to Windows 95-98SE, now to Windows 7 Pro.
    Security for now: Windows 7 Firewall, Emsisoft AM, MSE [scan-only], SpywareBlaster, Ruiware/BillP combine
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