AV recommendation for home use
Discussion
We’ve been using Norton for past few years and to be fair it’s been great, but lately it’s becoming a bit of a resource hog plus lots of adverts and bloat ware.
I would want decent AV and Firewall, don’t need any extras such a as parental controls and VPN etc.
Multi device subscription is great as I have 5-6 Windows 10/11 devices in the house. These range from higher spec to lowly Celeron, hence ideally the AV is not too demanding on resources.
I know Windows Defender is a recommendation but I would prefer other options. I did try Googling options but the webpages review doesn’t really inspire confidence. Feels like sponsored reviews.
Not been shopping around for years, so would prefer some suggestions please
I would want decent AV and Firewall, don’t need any extras such a as parental controls and VPN etc.
Multi device subscription is great as I have 5-6 Windows 10/11 devices in the house. These range from higher spec to lowly Celeron, hence ideally the AV is not too demanding on resources.
I know Windows Defender is a recommendation but I would prefer other options. I did try Googling options but the webpages review doesn’t really inspire confidence. Feels like sponsored reviews.
Not been shopping around for years, so would prefer some suggestions please
www.av-test.com could also help. I did notice your "dislike" of Defender but it is a solid product.
eeLee said:
www.av-test.com could also help. I did notice your "dislike" of Defender but it is a solid product.
Cheers. I’m running Windows Defender on one of the PC as trial. It’s running alongside free Avast but I will uninstall soon. PC used my youngest child so will be a good test
Nothing against Windows Defender but it feels a little lightweight.
anxious_ant said:
Cheers. I’m running Windows Defender on one of the PC as trial. It’s running alongside free Avast but I will uninstall soon.
PC used my youngest child so will be a good test
Nothing against Windows Defender but it feels a little lightweight.
What do you mean by 'lightweight'?PC used my youngest child so will be a good test
Nothing against Windows Defender but it feels a little lightweight.
mmm-five said:
What do you mean by 'lightweight'?
Lack of config options? Seems to just turn it on in Windows Security and trusts that M$ AV will protect your system?Not sure if it’s even possible to trigger manual scans.
Edit: how many posters here work in MSPs promoting M$ products?
anxious_ant said:
Lack of config options? Seems to just turn it on in Windows Security and trusts that M$ AV will protect your system?
Not sure if it’s even possible to trigger manual scans.
Edit: how many posters here work in MSPs promoting M$ products?
What made you trust Norton when it was clearly poorly optimised and essentially adware you were paying to have on your system? Was it was because it had more buttons or because it interrupted you more often?Not sure if it’s even possible to trigger manual scans.
Edit: how many posters here work in MSPs promoting M$ products?
What do MS partners have to gain from promoting a piece of software included in Windows?
Defender isn't infallible and some common sense is required, but things have moved on in the last decade, and the same advice applies no matter what AV you are running.
anxious_ant said:
I did try Googling options but the webpages review doesn’t really inspire confidence. Feels like sponsored reviews.
Possibly because they are, as an unsponsored review might recommend:"Microsoft Defender, built-in and free."
Pay AV is trending towards scam ware. It has to generate anxiety in the user to encourage them to keep buying it, so essentially you pay money to not have peace of mind.
anxious_ant said:
Lack of config options? Seems to just turn it on in Windows Security and trusts that M$ AV will protect your system?
Not sure if it’s even possible to trigger manual scans.
Edit: how many posters here work in MSPs promoting M$ products?
Yes there are manual and scheduled scan options.Not sure if it’s even possible to trigger manual scans.
Edit: how many posters here work in MSPs promoting M$ products?
There are also options for ransomware protection; controlled folder access, gaming mode, firewall, disk encryption, all with exceptions allowed by process/file/folder.
If you just want a bloaty GUI with lots of adware built-in, that hooks into your system in uncontrolled ways and can be a pain to remove when it leaves undocumented libraries in place, then please go ahead and install something from Norton or Kaspersky or Bullguard, or ... I can't be arsed!
Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 3rd September 11:26
Most brand name AV options provide a similar level of protection. So the built in and free Defender is as good as any.
If you want to go 'beyond' just doing regular AV, then the next level is to do a basic level of education for yourself and your family - there's loads of stuff out there on who to and not do to keep your data and information online safe.
Much like making your car go faster, aside from a couple of simple mods, the best thing to do is driver training.
If you want to go 'beyond' just doing regular AV, then the next level is to do a basic level of education for yourself and your family - there's loads of stuff out there on who to and not do to keep your data and information online safe.
Much like making your car go faster, aside from a couple of simple mods, the best thing to do is driver training.
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