Windows 10 Windows Defender Good?

[Fenway16]

I'm sure this has been answered many times but I am going to ask anyway. Is the above ok to use by itself or should I d.l. another av program. I would rather not add another one but want to make sure I'm protected. I also have Malwarebytes trial version on board. I'm hoping those 2 will take care of protection. Thanks.

 

[Josephur]

For most people who have good internet browsing habits, and don't install a bunch of random software I would say Defender and Malwarebytes Full Version (yes it's worth purchasing, the full version gives you realtime protection).

However if you are a user who installs lots of random software, downloads lots of files (especially from peer to peer file transfer programs), visits porn sites, etc you may want a full fledged Antivirus program (I personally recommend ESET NOD32).

That is my opinion, it varies person to person completely depends on your internet habits. Remember no antivirus program is 100%, new viruses come out all the time and if they are not in your antivirus programs definitions (or dictionary if you will) they won't be able to catch it. So even with an antivirus program you can still get viruses, but if you use a good one with a great reputation and detection rate (such as the one I recommended) you will be more protected.

 

[Fenway16]

For most people who have good internet browsing habits, and don't install a bunch of random software I would say Defender and Malwarebytes Full Version (yes it's worth purchasing, the full version gives you realtime protection).

However if you are a user who installs lots of random software, downloads lots of files (especially from peer to peer file transfer programs), visits porn sites, etc you may want a full fledged Antivirus program (I personally recommend ESET NOD32).

That is my opinion, it varies person to person completely depends on your internet habits. Remember no antivirus program is 100%, new viruses come out all the time and if they are not in your antivirus programs definitions (or dictionary if you will) they won't be able to catch it. So even with an antivirus program you can still get viruses, but if you use a good one with a great reputation and detection rate (such as the one I recommended) you will be more protected.

 

[Fenway16]

Paragraph one - I do.
Paragraph two - I do not.
I have always used Avast and have never really had any problems with viruses.
So based on your input, I think I will buy the full version of MWB and be comfortable with Defender. Thanks very much.

 

[Neemobeer]

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Cylance Smart Antivirus - Home Security, Powered by AI

 

[Fenway16]

Thanks for the info. While I am on this topic, I would like to add a Windows Defender shortcut to the taskbar. I found the application on the C: drive - program files - MpCmdRun and a bunch of other application files. Is that the correct one to right click and make a shortcut?

 

[Neemobeer]

there should already be a shortcut in the system tray

- or -

Click the start button and type 'Windows Defender'. You can pin the "Windows Defender Security Center"

 

[Fenway16]

There is one in system tray as you said. If I download a file I like to scan it before opening. I just like to have access to the av program and defender is somewhere on system but is not visible. I will do the second option - that should work. Thanks.

 

[GDany]

In order to scan a file after downloading it, you do not have to open the AV interface. Most AV programs put a menu item like "Scan file with 'name_of_AV_program'" on the pop-up menu that shows when, being in Windows Explorer, you right click on the file already downloaded.

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[Fenway16]

I do recall that being the case, however, when I downloaded a large file yesterday, a msg came up after a download stating something about the smart screen for Defender was not available. Does that make sense? That's why I want the program visible so I can access it to do a scan manually if needed. Thanks.

 

[GDany]

I do receive also the message about the smart screen not being available, sometimes, but I don't bother. I do not know what is the smart screen and I do not take for granted that files I download are scanned for viruses. But, if I want to scan the file after download, I use the procedure already described in my previous message, that is, I right-click on the file's name and choose Scan using Defender. In the end I get a message with the results of the scan. So, I do not understand why do you need one more icon on your desktop, when there is already one on the taskbar, on the notification area. If you take a look at the hidden icons on the taskbar you'll probably find Defender's icon too. Double-click it and you'll get Defender's interface.

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[Fenway16]

Learning my way around win10. Thanks for good input.

 

[GDany]

Good luck

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[Fenway16]

From what I can tell about this Dell pc and the OS, I am going to need it. Thanks.

 

[gerrycol]

Defender has always kept my computer clean, but I guess it depends on your browsing habits as well. I occasionally install the avast free version just to check if it picks anything else up.

 

[Fenway16]

Hmm. Interesting. So you occasionally install avast? Then what? Do you uninstall or disable and let defender activate. I guess the term occasionally has me wondering. Thanks.

 

[Hermitkrab]

Another Windows Defender user here. I've never had any sort of infection since using W10 on both my laptops, plus an occasional scan with MBAM, which rarely finds anything since WD is doing a good job. Of course, I also use good judgement when on the Web.

 

[Fenway16]

Do you have mwb premium or free? I try to use good judgement as well. Thanks.
The reason I ask is that the premium stops attacks and the free does not. I use the free on my laptop with the Defender - so far so good. I do occasional scans as well.

 

[Hermitkrab]

Hi, Fenway. I use MBAM free version for occasional scans. Premium is very good, too, if you wish to use that. I've found that premium isn't needed since Windows Defender is doing a good job. Of course, others may disagree but for the relatively low price of MBAM premium, I'm sure you'd be happy with that as an extra layer of protection.

 

[Fenway16]

Thanks for that good info. I purchased the premium for one year - it is a bit pricey for me so after one year I will go back to free. Glad to hear that Defender does such a good job.