Free vs. fee-based antivirus program

[TanjaSun]

Hi all,

What is your opinion:

Does it make sense for Windows user to buy a Virus program? Or do you think that the available free of charge programs are enough?

[Bastet]

I believe Defender is enough to protect a home user’s PC. If you’re a business user then you may prefer to buy professional AV software.
You can download Malwarebytes free to supplement Defender.

[TanjaSun]

Hi Bastet,
Thanks!

So you mean Windows defender?

What about installing AVIRA security in addition?

[Bastet]

Yes Windows defender.

Most free antivirus will take over from Defender automatically as the main AV software. Malwarebytes free doesn’t, so can be used as an on-demand scanner.

I‘ve not used that one in a very long time so I don’t know whether it has improved.

[Rustys]

The biggest problem is that they come with ads and more bloat ware.

They can use allot of memory and some are virtually useless if not fake.
Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 come with an improved Windows Defender, it offers the same real-time anti-virus/anti-malware protection as Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender also shares the same malware signature definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials, and Forefront Endpoint Protection. Technically, Microsoft Security Essentials has not been renamed Windows Defender, or combined with it in Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

[Bruce]

about 3 years after Win10 came out, claiming their Defender AV was ‘world class’, I thought I’d take them up on that.
since then I have not used any 3rd party AV on my PC’s - Windows Defender is that good.
it ranks has high as any of the top rated retail packages.
see here: Comparison - AV-Comparatives
it scores well on blocked rate and false positives.
since is scores as well has the paid-for ones, why would you bother paying!