Do you plan to use third-party antivirus and firewall?

Do you plan to install third-party antivirus and firewall?

  • Third party antivirus, Windows 8 firewall

    Votes: 30 18.0%
  • Windows 8 antivirus, Third-party firewall

    Votes: 5 3.0%
  • Third party antivirus and firewall

    Votes: 44 26.3%
  • Windows 8 antivirus and firewall

    Votes: 88 52.7%

  • Total voters
    167

Cly

Member
Member
Messages
106
Do you plan to install third-party antivirus (including antimalware) and firewall and or rely on the built-in Windows 8 tools?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built it myself
    CPU
    i7 2600K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX nVidia GT 420
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD
    3TB HDD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
Thanks for the thread and poll, Cly.

Personally I see no need to use 3rd party anything. I've always avoided it as much as possible. Most are just plain crap, although some are good. I believe it creates bugs and problems that isn't worth the effort. I have collected a few through trial and error over the years, though. I trust them and their creators. One is a registry cleaner and another a history cleaner.

In this case, Windows Defender and the Firewall are written efficiently and do not use too much resource, for they run in the background. I've looked at some machines that ran 3rd party antivirus that bogs them down incredibly. Like an inch worm up a branch! I recomended the owners to download M$ Security Essentials which helped quite a bit. Of course this depends on how much mem one has.

Also, I've heard that Windows Defender isn't as quick at updating definitions verses others, but I'll take the chances on a day or so.

Of course professional programs that one may need and install are a completely different story. They are written efficiently for they would not be in business for long.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Avast! Home + Windows 8 firewall
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
On my Windows 8 RP install I have been running Norton IS 2013 Beta, Malwarebyes Pro and WinPatrol Plus.
When W8 goes final I will use the same setup except Norton IS will be 2012 until 2013 goes final.

Jim :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64BIT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS - Home Built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    Crucial Balistic DDR-3 1866 CL 9 (8 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R6850 Cyclone IGD5 PE
    Sound Card
    On Chip
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE258Q 25" LED with DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Two WD Cavier Black 2TB Sata 6gbs
    WD My Book Essential 2TB USB 3.0
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 80 Plus GOLD Modular
    Case
    Corsair 400R
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler H2O 620, Two 120mm and four 140mm
    Keyboard
    AVS Gear Blue LED Backlight
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble Mouse USB, Logitech Precision Game Pad
    Internet Speed
    15MB
    Antivirus
    NIS, Malwarebytes Premium 2
    Other Info
    APC UPS ES 750, Netgear WNR3500L Gigabit & Wireless N Router with SamKnows Test Program,
    Motorola SB6120 Gigabit Cable Modem.
    Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer,
    Epson V300 Scanner
Avast! Home + Windows 8 firewall

Just curious as to why you like Avast, Vlad. I see you typed a exclamation point after it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Avast! Home + Windows 8 firewall

Just curious as to why you like Avast, Vlad. I see you typed a exclamation point after it.

I think the exclamation point is part of the name :) I am also curious to know why Vlad has decided on Avast. I use Avast on some of my Win 7 machines but I do not plan to continue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built it myself
    CPU
    i7 2600K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX nVidia GT 420
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD
    3TB HDD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
I think the exclamation point is part of the name :) I am also curious to know why Vlad has decided on Avast. I use Avast on some of my Win 7 machines but I do not plan to continue.

Thanks, Cly. Why is it you're not continuing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I think the exclamation point is part of the name :) I am also curious to know why Vlad has decided on Avast. I use Avast on some of my Win 7 machines but I do not plan to continue.

Thanks, Cly. Why is it you're not continuing?

Also, usually one can view who has voted. Is it private on this poll?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I think the exclamation point is part of the name :) I am also curious to know why Vlad has decided on Avast. I use Avast on some of my Win 7 machines but I do not plan to continue.

Thanks, Cly. Why is it you're not continuing?

Also, usually one can view who has voted. Is it private on this poll?

I am afraid so. This is my first poll and I must have clicked a checkbox to make it private.

Avast! slows down the computer when you first turn it on because it's downloading its updates. Especially noticeable on a slower machine. Also its rating with PCmag.com has gone down a bit. I really don't know what to believe when it comes to Antivirus. For Windows 7, I just want something that works without a lot of fuss. For Windows 8, I am hoping that Defender does the trick. That is what I am using right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built it myself
    CPU
    i7 2600K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX nVidia GT 420
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD
    3TB HDD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
Starting with Win 8 series I deliberately do not use any third party AV program. I even instal MSE on Windows 7. Luckily no event has occurred so far as I have win 8 on four of my machines. But for firewall I still consider having any of third party program but haven't installed any of them though.

Kevin
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
I was skeptical of using Windows Defender as my anti-virus, but after using it, it's definitely worthwhile. But, as I do a LOT of external hard drive scans for digital herpes and STDs, I will have to use probably Kasperky Internet Security 2013, as that's built for Windows 8 and it's new security driver. As good as Windows Defender is for the average and secure user, I'm not one of those users as my system is constantly exposed to getting digital herpes and STDs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I have installed Avast v5 as I've been using it for years. On my XP boot though I had to go back to version 5 from 7 (luckily I keep older versions) because the latest version keeps slowing the machine down to about zero and has to be uninstalled from safe mode, plus it tries to install Google Chrome with no questions about whether it's wanted or options to turn it off. Maybe I'd be better off with Defender.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-3470
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8B75-M LX Plus
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7770
    Sound Card
    SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama E485S
    Screen Resolution
    1280*1024
    Hard Drives
    1Tb, 500Gb, 500Gb, 250Gb
    PSU
    Antec 430W
It offers to installchrome because that is how they finanace the free version.

I didn't end up with chrome installed.

Avast is a much better solution than defender.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The thing is that it doesn't offer. In version 5 it offers to install, but version 7 just tries to install it. I find that bad enough, but as I can't use my PC with it running I had to go back to version 5.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-3470
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8B75-M LX Plus
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7770
    Sound Card
    SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama E485S
    Screen Resolution
    1280*1024
    Hard Drives
    1Tb, 500Gb, 500Gb, 250Gb
    PSU
    Antec 430W
I use Secure Webroot antivirus And W8 firewall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon
    Hard Drives
    680 GB Internal
    1TB External
    Internet Speed
    56MBPS
I think it depends on ones needs.
You should use a very heavy antivirus, ONLY if you need it, since it will slow down your pc, unless you have some great hardware, to a certain extent. If you are not doing works where your pc continuously gets exposed to critical malware, its completely unnecessary to install a heavy antivirus program.
For a normal home user like me, its best to use a light antivirus, because that will not sacrifice your performance.

A lot of websites rated bitdefender as the best. So I installed the 30 day trial version to check it out. But, I am sorry to say that, it slowed down my pc to a great extent. Uninstalled it. Got MSE installed, and my pc is running smooth and fast again.

For me, Windows Defender is good enough for W8. For W7, MSE is my choice.

Windows Firewall is more than enough for me. I try to avoid third party software as much as possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Linux Mint 14
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g4
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2330M CPU @ 2.20GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1 GB Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500 GB HDD
Kevin? I suggest for FireWall duties you go with ZoneAlarm. They have a couple free versions one with, and one without anti-virus.
ZA has always been a strong FW since it was introduced, and gets some of the highest rating from all corners of security, and various magazines. (I.E. PCMag, MPC, Windows Mag, etc.).

***EDIT*** Just finished talking to Tom over at ZA's website, THEY aren't even in the Alpha stage of a version of ZA for Windows 8 yet..Sheesh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro Retail
Hey Mike.

That was what I'm about to say :p
I was a big fan of ZA while running Win XP. Started from Win 7 ZA had severe compatibility issue. Then I moved to Comodo that have compatible version with Win 7. Then when WDP started, comodo was left with compatibility issue, again.

Well. Starting with WDP I really haven't install any firewall yet. :)

Kevin
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built system
    CPU
    Core i5
    Motherboard
    Intel DH55PJ
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4650
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Flatron L1742S; LG Flatron 19"; Samsung TV 48"
    Screen Resolution
    1280:1024; 1366:768;1920:1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 256 GB
    Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
    WDC 1 TB
    PSU
    Power
    Case
    Simbadda
    Cooling
    Conventional
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.4 MBPS
    Other Info
    External HDD WDC 2 TB
    Dial Up Modem Huawei
    Home-made Home Theater
Kevin? I suggest for FireWall duties you go with ZoneAlarm. They have a couple free versions one with, and one without anti-virus.
ZA has always been a strong FW since it was introduced, and gets some of the highest rating from all corners of security, and various magazines. (I.E. PCMag, MPC, Windows Mag, etc.).

***EDIT*** Just finished talking to Tom over at ZA's website, THEY aren't even in the Alpha stage of a version of ZA for Windows 8 yet..Sheesh.

I used ZA when it first came out. It was fund to play with, but I fail to see how that sort of firewall would protect you if your system was compromised by malware.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built it myself
    CPU
    i7 2600K
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX nVidia GT 420
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD
    3TB HDD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
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