Use a password manager and generate random passwords for everything. Turn on two factor authentication for anything that offers it. Use an ad blocker like unblock origin. That’s going to be much more valuable for security than anything an anti virus program can provide.
I use Microsoft Defender for anti-virus, but I also manually scan with Malwarebytes and Glary Utilities … and if something seems off I run a scan with Spybot S&D.
I mean if something seems sketchy you can try using virtual box or windows sandbox to run it, it should be enough to isolate most malware
I mean if something seems sketchy you can try using virtual box or windows sandbox to run it, it should be enough to isolate most malware for free.
Depends, if the causal user is your grandmother, no. I’d argue Windows Defender is actually better for more of a power user who knows not to click on sus links, etc.
I think so but then I watch porn and dodgy UFC streams via my firestick and do general Web searches and online shopping via my phone so only really use laptop for playing dayz lol.
It’s definitely good enough just don’t visit sites that are suspicious, using an adblocker and a popup blocker when browsing are also good free ways to hopefully stay safe.
I think so, but I would recommend: setting it to Aggressive settings using DefenderUI (free), Norton Power Eraser (free & portable), Sophos Scan & Clean (free & portable), Malwarebytes AdwCleaner (free & portable), uBlock Origin, your web browsers built-in protection on maximum settings, and AdGuard Public DNS servers for better overall protection / detection / removal for free.
Hell ya brother. Unless you’re actively downloading potentially shady things like pirating movies or games your generally fine
Yes it even sends telemetry to Microsoft so they know which links to protect me from.
And you don’t need a VPN either unless you need to appear like you are over there.
When your computer talks to the bank website you should see a little lock by the URL. That symbol is there because your computer has the public key to Verisign who has the public key to the bank server. Then your computer can communicate with the bank server knowing that no one, even on a public wifi, can see your traffic.
The VPN works different; your computer has the public key for the VPN which means you can talk to the VPN Server in some far away place very securely. But then the VPN server reads everything you send it, “scans it for juicy details /viruses”, and then communicates to Verisign (or one of the other “trust anchors”) to get your banks public key and communicates with your bank for you. But the evil trick here is; the VPN knows everything you’re doing! Do you trust them to handle it all perfectly? No.
Microsoft defender or Windows defender?
I think you can be a better antivirus than M$ defender
This. Behavior is the key. Humans are always the weak link in every security chain.
Using opendns is also not a bad idea, or jump on the vpn bandwagon. I don’t use one but have it available. I used Defender for years as my only AV but also don’t visit sketchy websites. My home router also has built in anti malware. The Internet has become a real cesspool so now I use the paid version of Malwarebytes.
Last night I completely removed it via github defender removal tool. I do not download anything except paid games. I have no need for a/v and never used it since the 90s. Never had 1 issue. Windows 11 is snappier than hell now with it gone. I literally do not download anything and do not visit shit sites. Behavior is key for needing a/v. I never used it and never once had a problem. I am sure the 14 year olds will downvote me.
Even for corporate use it’s my first choice. Just use the right license and you have a dashboard in Intune about everything
That being said there’s not an Antivirus out there than can prevent stupidity.
Malwarebytes has saved my ass a couple of times when I wasn’t concentrating properly.
Using dns outside your providers network adds latency to the lookups. It may not be much but it does affect opening web pages. Just ping your local dns ip addy and then ping open dns and other 3rd party dns to see your ping times. My isps dns is 10ms in latency away. Open dns and other are 20+ms. I choose to use my isps as I never once had an issue and will be faster in resolving in browsers.