Is Windows Defender enough?

shotta287

New Member
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12
Hi all,

Apologies if this question has been asked before, i'm sick of Avira and its constant pop ups and product updates etc and I'm thinking to just stick with Windows Defender.

My questions are:
- Is it good enough?
- Is it light on system?
- Does it require Windows Update to be turned on?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I've got things like Web Of Trust and Adblock+ installed and HitmanPro.Alert
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-Bit
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2.5GHz
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000
    Hard Drives
    750GB
    Browser
    Firefox/Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Windows Defender is good enough for home systems as long as you practice safe surfing and common sense regardless of what anti virus program you use. It only updates it definition files through Windows Update and gives not pop-ups. The other products are ok for what they were meant to do. I personally use Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
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    PEGATRON
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    Logitech M510
So I decided to ditch Avira and use Defender.

Personally I don't have Windows Update turned on and as you may know Defender then won't auto update its definition files but I've found a way to get past that over here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2.5GHz
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000
    Hard Drives
    750GB
    Browser
    Firefox/Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
That's one way to do it. Why don't you want the normal updates, they are for the security of your system?
 

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
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    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
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    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Windows Defender is good enough for home systems as long as you practice safe surfing and common sense regardless of what anti virus program you use. It only updates it definition files through Windows Update and gives not pop-ups. The other products are ok for what they were meant to do. I personally use Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.

I agree ,I only use the same to programs for security ,and safe surfing to of course !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
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    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
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    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
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    4gig ddr3
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    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
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    micro
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    microsoft curve 200
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    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Windows defender provides adequate protection, as far as AV software can provide. But even the very best software cannot provide full protection when the OS is not kept up to date. You either need Windows Update or manually download the required updates. The latter is a lot of work.

Malware has become very sophisticated in recent years and a high priority in it's design is evading AV software. It is war between AV software and malware. Malware is winning. In this war you need all the advantages you can get and keeping the OS updates is a big part of it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Defender should be enough for home use as long as you are careful of the sites you're visiting on the internet, don't bypass digital signature warnings when downloading software. I would download all updates from Windows Update to stay up to date with security features. :geek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premier Edition
That's one way to do it. Why don't you want the normal updates, they are for the security of your system?

I've always had the impression windows downloads useless updates like C+ distributable or similar stuff, that over time bogs down your computer haha, not to mention the 'windows is configuring updates, don't turn off your computer' crap
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2.5GHz
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000
    Hard Drives
    750GB
    Browser
    Firefox/Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Updates do not bog down the computer, they enhance it. Yes, once in a while we hit a bad update but easily overcome by doing a system restore. I clear out outdated updates once a month using Disk Cleanup, system files. Security updates are very important to your system in the fight against hackers etc.
 

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
That's one way to do it. Why don't you want the normal updates, they are for the security of your system?

I've always had the impression windows downloads useless updates like C+ distributable or similar stuff, that over time bogs down your computer haha, not to mention the 'windows is configuring updates, don't turn off your computer' crap

oookkk
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
So I decided to ditch Avira and use Defender.Personally I don't have Windows Update turned on and as you may know Defender then won't auto update its definition files but I've found a way to get past that over here.
You don't really need to have Auto Update on. With the Action Center you get warned when Defender needs to be updated, and then it's your choice to manually do so. From my experience, Action Center warns you after the signatures are around 1 week old or more, which I'm fine with. Click on the flag and Defender updates in a few seconds.

And to your original question, yes MS Defender is more than enough for most people. And it is the lightest AV solution with a very low memory and CPU footprint.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I've always had the impression windows downloads useless updates like C+ distributable or similar stuff, that over time bogs down your computer haha, not to mention the 'windows is configuring updates, don't turn off your computer' crap
oookkk
LOL.
A lot of misinformation or maybe confusion on your part about what updates are.

First windows won't update something that isn't already present on your system (unless you choose the optional ones), so if it updates distributables then it is not useless. They were installed for a reason, some of your software use it, if they have bugs or some exploits have been detected it stands to reason that you will definitely benefit from the update.

Second, updates most of the time don't add to your system but replace some parts of it like DLLs and such so no it won't "bog down" over time. If your HDD space is strained then you can always use the Disk Cleanup tool built-in windows that can delete old uninstall files from updates, doing that regularly you should see only minimal increases of the space taken by the OS. What could "bog down" your PC are the 3rd party applications that you installed yourself which can become bloated over time.

Third, since you are concerned with virus and malware, be aware that the main way for malware to spread to your system is by using known exploits which, if you don't update, remained unpatched, making your system much less secure than a frequently updated one. Anti-Viruses cure (more or less) malware already present on your system, but updates (security/critical ones) prevent them from happening in the first place !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
and the c++ distributable are determined by and need by older software you have on the computer ,so Microsoft is doing you a favor there
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Good security has multiple layers. A good AV product offers one level of protection but it alone is not good enough. Modern malware has become quite good at evading the very best AV products with the latest definitions. AV suppliers are well aware of this.


Keeping your OS up to date provides another layer of protection. AV suppliers have said on numerous occasions how important this is. Microsoft has devoted an enormous amount of effort into developing updates and ensuring that they install without problems. But when we consider the many millions of computers receiving these updates it is inevitable that some small percentage will have problems. Even a very small percentage will equate to large numbers of users, some of whom will be very vocal about their problems. In many cases the problems are not due to the update at all but to third party applications, malware, or preexisting issues.

My experience with Windows Update over some 16 years and multiple operating systems has been almost universally positive.

Is Windows defender (or any other AV product) enough, without keeping your system up to date?

NO.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
That's one way to do it. Why don't you want the normal updates, they are for the security of your system?

I've always had the impression windows downloads useless updates like C+ distributable or similar stuff, that over time bogs down your computer haha, not to mention the 'windows is configuring updates, don't turn off your computer' crap

I'd serious reconsider your approach. Updates are mostly there for security and stability. My experience with Windows 8 as far as "Windows is configuring updates, please wait" has been MUCH better than Windows 7 or Vista.

Don't second guess security. They build and distribute these updates for a reason. By all means, run them. Very first thing I do when I deploy a new computer at work is run Windows update and get it caught up.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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Some great replies guys, in fact you've managed to change my mind! I'm going to start using Update from weekend onwards. I've accumulated 38 important updates which are 592MB. I'm going to let my laptop run all day on Saturday to download andi install them haha.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2.5GHz
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000
    Hard Drives
    750GB
    Browser
    Firefox/Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yeah, love the updates sometimes. I just laid down a Windows 7 Enterprise Image with Office 2010 that I made in Jan of 2014. Ran Windows Updates and it needed 2.5GB worth of updates...nearly 2GB of them were for Office 2010.
 

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
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    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    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 use Windows Defender and MalwareBytes Premium on all of my Win 8.1 devices at home....
 

My Computer

System One

  • 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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    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
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    Chrome and Edge
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    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
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    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
You may find some useful info here---

Microsoft Internet Safety and Security Center

A picture to consider---
{I run this tool every so often}

screenshot_143.jpg

I don't use Defender.{Avast}

But Defender is there if I ever need to activate it.

My latest scans---

screenshot_143.jpg

screenshot_144.jpg
 
Last edited:

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    Extended Model 2
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    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
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    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Hi there.

For INDIVIDUALS (not corporate or enterprise situations) Security software is probably HUGELY overblown in importance these days - most security breaches come from SCAMS and poor computer usage which any sort of Software is powerless to defend against.

For instance if you receive an email saying "Your Order has been placed and will be shipped on xxxxx" and you get a link to click to get the order status and details - then unless you know and are 100% sure you REALLY DID order the product from that particular supplier then clicking on the link will just be asking for trouble. AV software can't help you here.

Fake websites like UK HMRC ("Income Tax office") suggesting that you are entitled to a refund - please enter details about yourself - such as Bank account etc or sites wanting you to verify passwords / user details are another area where malicious damage can be done and no AV software will help you here either.


Websites where you have to go through a total minefield of false green arrows etc to find the download you want and even then the download needs to be checked very carefully otherwise you will install programs you don't want together with 10 zillion toolbars etc are another source of major scamming and here again as some of these are quite "legit" albeit annoying programs - no AV software will help you here either.


Windows defender is about as good (or as bad) as any of the others - if any of them were 100% effective then this whole section on the forum would be entirely redundant.

USER behaviour on the Internet is more likely to cause problems since the latest scams are not really solvable by SOFTWARE. The days of sub teens messing around writing Viruses just for the fun of it and to cause a bit of panic are long since gone -- people have moved over to much more profitable money making scams which are very difficult if not impossible to defend against via purely software.

Note this whole post is concerned with INDIVIDUALS, - Corporates still need robust security systems in place - there's still loads of people out their who might have grudges against certain companies so they will try and bring down their systems by Dos (denial of Service) attacks, data theft, industrial espionage etc etc.

For an Individual simply leave Windows defender in place, and USE THE INTERNET SAFELY - ESPECIALLY EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA. Also ensure you have a decent clean backup of your OS in place BEFORE installing any sort of software so you can restore afterwards.

I don't trust any AV cleansing software - I'd always restore a clean OS image.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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