Solved An adequate A/V program for Windows 8.1.1 required.

[Yorky]

Hi, I'm given to believe that the recent large update from Windows caused my computer to crash because of possible conflict with Avast (?) I also believe that this has also occurred on previous occasions when also using AVG.
I can understand updates conflicting with 3rd party software and this has brought me to pose this question.
Would I be adequately protected using Windows Defender bearing in mind that my browsing is restricted to well known and respected sites and I don't blindly click on to hyperlinks.
Regarding the recent crash referred to; I was able to complete a full recovery and I am now looking to avoid problems of this nature whenever possible.
Thank you.

 

[KYHI]

I don't use third party A/V - never have.. never had problems either.. Knock on wood..

 

[TairikuOkami]

Would I be adequately protected using Windows Defender bearing in mind that my browsing is restricted to well known and respected sites and I don't blindly click on to hyperlinks.

Yes, i is unlikely, that WD would mark Windows system files as virus. It happened to dozen of AVs over years.
In that case add some ondemand scanner, like HitmanPro Free, which can scans at startup or other like:

Emsisoft Free Emergency Kit: Portable and/or Dr.Web CureIt!

 

[Cliff S]

I always used MSE with window 7 and now I'm using windows defender with 8.1 and it's never failed me. It's even caught a bundeled software downloader when I once downloaded a theme with skins at windows7themes.net. A lot of AV software tells you about every tracking cookie and that's a lot of bull(like the terminator "They'll be back" the next time you surf).
I just use Windows Defender, Web of Trust, adblockplus(turned off on my favorite sites like windows 8 forums, how-to-geek, majorgeeks, softpedia news...etc.(the ads pay for the servers and the people who offer us a "free" service) and I keep my tracking protection on, that should be enough. Of course I also do not use file sharing tools like bit torrent either. I'm finding Windows 8.1 about as safe and fast as Ubuntu now with it's built in rootkit protection and fast boot. But just for the sake of safety in case my brain(the most important AV in the chain) crashes and I do "catch a virus" I also have Malwarebytes already installed.
One last thing everyone should have Advanced Membership checked for MAPS in Defenders settings so Microsoft can get all the information if you do get malware and then they can pass it on to the other AV companies.

 

[David Bailey]

I use Avast & have had no problems.

 

[Atomcrusher]

Would I be adequately protected using Windows Defender bearing in mind that my browsing is restricted to well known and respected sites and I don't blindly click on to hyperlinks.

I dumped my non-MS antivirus because the problems reported here in updating Win 8.1

I now only use Win Defender, and have not had any problems.

My browsing is similar to your

browsing is restricted to well known and respected sites and I don't blindly click on to hyperlinks.

 

[CountMike]

Unfortunately, browsing internet is not the only thing that can bring an unwanted "guest", Any CD/DVD or USB device can contain malware. You can practice safe browsing and still get a virus from borrowed disk or USB with MM or programs.

 

[Cliff S]

Unfortunately, browsing internet is not the only thing that can bring an unwanted "guest", Any CD/DVD or USB device can contain malware. You can practice safe browsing and still get a virus from borrowed disk or USB with MM or programs.

You're obviously talking about that thumb drive found on the ground in the company/firms parking lot!!!:thumb:

 

[CountMike]

Unfortunately, browsing internet is not the only thing that can bring an unwanted "guest", Any CD/DVD or USB device can contain malware. You can practice safe browsing and still get a virus from borrowed disk or USB with MM or programs.

You're obviously talking about that thumb drive found on the ground in the company/firms parking lot!!!:thumb:

With my luck I would get run over while retrieving it but not talking about that. Many people keep their music on them to play on car radio etc. they stick it in their computer to transfer music and presto, if their system is dirty so the USB will most likely be too. Many other reasons to use USB stick for transferring files and it seems like everybody and his brother have one or two of them in the pockets. You should see what it looks like when my grandson bring his that was plugged in his school's computer !!! I fire up Linux on VM to check it every time. I would say that they are far riskier than many unsafe practices on internet.

 

[Yorky]

An Adequate A/V program for Windows 8.1.1

Thank you one and all for you respected opinions. Collectively it has given me the confidence to remove the 3rd party A/V program and activate Windows Defender which I completed earlier today.
To those who also warned of memory sticks etc - thank you and I don't interchange drives/disks of this nature.
In addition I also do and have used Malwarebytes for some years now and will continue to do so.
Thanks again to the Members of this excellent Forum.