Windows defender is sufficient
Defender, uBlock Origin in your browser, separate admin and standard user accounts, and up to date software and applications will take care of almost every issue the average user will find.
In an enterprise environment where a team needs to manage endpoints at scale a third party AV with a management console to view status of systems may be necessary but that’s not necessary at the personal level.
Depending on the instance I may opt for a 3rd party solution (usually MalwareBytes) but for the average user Defender is sufficient. Microsoft has ZERO interest in having their platform used as a malware launchpad and basically are borrowing from (a subset at least) the same engine their corporate subscribers pay for.
If you have to run Windows, definitely install another antivirus, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, etc. You need it. Use ad blockers in your browser, script blockers, and don’t just browse around the web randomly. You’ll run into serious problems.
Believe me, make sure your stuff is backed up on external drives, not attached to your Windows computer. Obviously they have to be attached at some point to transfer the files over. Scan those drives too.
While MS continues to pretend to protect you from viruses, I recommend switching to a Linux distribution for your daily driver just to be on the safe side. Seriously
Be safe out there. Use Linux.
Its 2025 switch to Linux!!! Fedora, Arch etc etc! open source everything!!
Don’t waste tome/money using a 3rd party antivirus, Windows Defender is enough for personal use.
Remember, the best antivirus is the guy behind the keyboard
Most of us Linux users don’t even bother with antivirus.
Windows Defender + Common Sense… and youre good. Can always install web extensions like ublock origin or such for pesky pop-ups
I recommend a VPN.
Malwarebytes and Bitdefender
I solved the dilemma installing Arch Linux
Defender is used at my job with thousands of dumb users. It’s all you need.
As a System Administrator, I don’t trust end users enough so usually there is a 3rd party. On personal machines, when I used Windows, I would just run defender. I recomme as the same unless people are really paranoid then I tell them Malwarebytes for peace of mind.
Windows defender, Eset Nod32, sometimes kaspersky. (Brave as a browser.)
No amount of anti-virus software is going to protect you against stupid you.
Just update your operating system (especially the security updates) , use Windows Defender and be careful with what you download/install.
Honestly viruses aren’t very easy to come by unless you try very hard to find them. Windows Defender is really good nowadays and about as much as you need.
Don’t go onto obvious scam sites or shifty links and you’re fine.
Defender will be just fine. It does the job it needs to and the only real way to infect yourself is by doing something dumb.
To be honest in this day and age windows defender plus common sense is the best anti virus
Defender : free, safe (enough), and less resource usage (integrated in Windows).
Defender is you’ll ever need thesedays the rest just add bloat and shit to your system that’s as bad difficult as malware to remove
1/10. windows defender is just that good. maybe just add adblock/pop up blocker in browser