Serk....advice needed re. a good virus/malware program.

[John Schmidt]

The question isn't restricted to just Serk, I'm sure many of you have had good experiences with certain programs so feel free to talk about it. I've read on a couple different sites that Norton is rated as #1, I know it has been around for a long time. I see PCMatic advertised on TV periodically, can't help but wonder if they're as effective as others. One I've never seen before is Zooka, another one that blows a rather loud horn of their own making. It leaves we peons of the computer using world rather confused, it's right up there with oil and tire brand discussions. 

I just don't want to shell out $50-$100 or more and find out I went down the wrong path. I've used something called RegHunter in the past but the fee is only for six months so quit renewing....something they do automatically which also is an irritation. It appears in the top two versions of Norton they include a VPN which might be of some value. Confusion reigns! 

[Serk]

Seeing as I used to work for Symantec I feel weird saying this, but..... If you're using a current version of Windows, stick with the built in Windows Defender Antivirus/Anti-marlware.....

That's what I use on all my Windows computers, just the built in Windows Defender stuff, even though I have access to free full enterprise versions of Symantec, Norton and McAfee, I stick with just the built in Windows Defender on all the Windows computers (Client and server versions) in my house...

It keeps bad stuff out, and doesn't get in my face and in my way like the others tend to do...

[h13man]

Been using Web Root for 7 yrs. now w/o any issues. Covers 3 devices for one price. Come to think of it just about time to renew. I've used Norton and McAfee and both were worthless but I'm sure somebody better qualified than me on this subject will chime in.

[Thunderbolt]

John I have used Kaspersky for many years with knock on wood no problems so far.  Interesting that Serk recommends Windows Defender.  I may just give that a try next time.  Kaspersky is set up to automatically renew so will have to cancel that.

[Pete]

Windows Defender and Antimalware free edition.

[Bret SD]

I use Linux(Mint) primarily, also have a windows box around that I fire up when needed for windows proprietary software. Personally, I despise windows  

edit: I've used many 'flavors' of Linux for the last 20 years and have never had a virus problem, security is built-in through compartmentalization. Windows acts like a big virus itself I believe, and is targeted by hackers because it's easier to penetrate and ubiquitous. It's not impossible to infect Linux, it just seems to be a very rare.. at least for me. I'm also very careful about where I go and what I open, which is your best defense I think.

[Patrick]

I've been using Malwarebytes commercial.

[John Schmidt]

I've been using W-10 since it came out and so far seems to work ok. Might just leave well enough alone.

[Robert]

A good product that works with Windows and light on resources yet offers better protection than the base Windows protection is ESET. They actually worked with Microsoft for a while and helped them develop their programs.

[scooperhsd]

ANother vote for the builtin Window defender. I've used nothing else for at least 10 years, on several PCs at a time. Currently on 5 laptops in my house.

Occaisionally, I play with Linux. I can't say what is the default on it, but I DO know that when you use Firefox on both Windows and Linux, and use the Sync, Adblocker installs on any version.