OT: Windows antivirus

In the past, I've annoyed many of you with my insistence that commercial antivirus programs *are* the virus. I've advocated simply running Windows Defender, which comes from Microsoft with the O.S.

Occasionally a blind squirrel finds a nut, and in this case that's happened to me. See:

https://it.slashdot.org/story/17/02/01/1334219/google-chrome-engineer-says-windows-defender-the-only-well-behaved-antivirus-cites-tons-of-empirical-data

Apparently the disdain for 3rd party AV solutions runs deep amongst browser developers, as in response to the threads a Google engineer, Justin Schuh, had this to say: "Browser makers don't complain about Microsoft Defender because we have tons of empirical data showing that it's the only well behaved AV."

FWIW...

Donnie

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Dave Hooton

Apparently the disdain for 3rd party AV solutions runs deep amongst browser developers

And the disdain for specific 3rd party AV solutions runs deep amongst users. There are at least three AV products I will never use because of bloat and poor update software. One free AV removed OneDrive without notification. Two long term AV's became resource hogs. Some interfere with Logos. Most have complex settings. But there are two I still use, and one machine has Defender as its main AV.

A friend still manages to infect his computer because he won't stop downloading music from certain sites! So there has to be skepticism about the value of AV, especially when they can't remove the infection! Reviews can't entirely be trusted as it was a "Best free" AV that removed OneDrive.

The only certain behaviour is to browse "safely and responsibly", take knowledgable advice about AV ("trust me") and accept that Defender is better than nothing.

(‾◡◝)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879603#Comment_879603

Absolutely concur re: Defender. Gave up long ago on the AV "solutions" that install system-wide like a growing cancer. But I do keep a copy of good ol' Spybot for occasional, manual scans for malware, spyware, and rootkits.

BTW, Spybot Anti-Beacon is a simple and effective solution for shutting down Windows 10 telemetry.

DivineCordial

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879623#Comment_879623

I disagree with the suggestion that security software should be removed for standard users. If you're computer savvy and desire to take the risk, that's your decision. But honestly I think it borders upon irresponsibility to tell standard users that. I do however recommend that people use top rated software that consistently gets good ratings over the course of several years. This means not only protection but also minimal impact on performance and usability. It's great that Microsoft includes Windows Defender in their latest operating systems, and I am sure they will continue to make improvements with it. I even like that the latest has a limited scan-only option to work with other antivirus software. It is, however, far behind top security solutions in regards to protection and rates far lower than several other solutions.

Here is another take before deciding to ditch security software.

https://blog.kaspersky.com/is-antivirus-really-dead/13959/

Small Heath

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879623#Comment_879623

Absolutely concur re: Defender. Gave up long ago on the AV "solutions" that install system-wide like a growing cancer. But I do keep a copy of good ol' Spybot for occasional, manual scans for malware, spyware, and rootkits.

BTW, Spybot Anti-Beacon is a simple and effective solution for shutting down Windows 10 telemetry.

Thanks for the Anti-Beacon link. I like Spybot. I'll give it a try.

Dale Heath

DivineCordial

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879623#Comment_879623

Absolutely concur re: Defender. Gave up long ago on the AV "solutions" that install system-wide like a growing cancer. But I do keep a copy of good ol' Spybot for occasional, manual scans for malware, spyware, and rootkits.

BTW, Spybot Anti-Beacon is a simple and effective solution for shutting down Windows 10 telemetry.

I like Spybot S&D for it's immunizations, along with SpywareBlaster and JV16 PowerTools. These provide passive protection for an additional layer of security.

Another program for controlling Windows 10 telemetry that I like is O&O ShutUp 10:
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Deacon Steve

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879750#Comment_879750

I disagree with the suggestion that security software should be removed for standard users.

I agree with your opinion. I have used one the top name programs in a consumer configuration for many years. I've had no issues in protection or performance.

Donnie Hale

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/879750#Comment_879750

I disagree with the suggestion that security software should be removed for standard users.

Not sure who you think suggested that.

-Donnie