- Windows Built In Antivirus Windows 7
- Windows Built In Antivirus 2017
- Windows Built In Antivirus Software
An antivirus software is essential to protect Windows from nasty stuff like ransomware, viruses, trojan, malware, adware, etc. Though Windows has a pretty good built-in antivirus software called Windows Defender, for some, it is pretty basic and not as effective as other dedicated software. Use the Built-in Windows Defender for traditional antivirus – the criminals have moved on from regular viruses to focus on Ransomware, zero-day attacks, and even worse malware that traditional antivirus just can’t handle. Windows Defender is built right in, blazing fast, doesn’t annoy you, and does its job cleaning old-school viruses. Whether you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 10 or you’re thinking about it, a good question to ask is, “Do I need antivirus software?”. Well, technically, no. Microsoft has Windows Defender, a legitimate antivirus protection plan already built into Windows 10. However, not all antivirus software are the same. The security situation on Windows has improved dramatically over the last few years, but the sheer number of users mean it is still under threat - that's where getting a Windows 10 antivirus comes in.
![Windows 10 have built in antivirus Windows 10 have built in antivirus](/uploads/1/2/5/0/125030294/580271612.png)
Is Windows Defender, the antivirus that comes with Windows, good enough to protect my PC from viruses alone?
- I would never trust Microsoft to protect your computer alone. Microsoft has too many other things to focus on as a company than virus protection. However going with an anti-virus software program that anti-virus is its main, if not only focus, would be the most beneficial for protection.
- Hello, I would say it does a decent job if you know what you are doing. For example, most viruses/malware get installed in your system because when you want to get/see something you click on any link or visit any site whether it is safe or not. So, protection start with the user. If you are inside a router network it could probably do the job.In my personal opinion, I would use Bit Defender or Kaspersky if you want a paid version. If you want free options, there are several here:
- it works fine for me..
- Its not the best but it is okay
- I've used Live Security Essentials for awhile without too much trouble. However I recently read an article in Maximum PC I think. They gave it a rating of 6 out of 10, with Avast given an 8 and AVG a 7. That was eye opening to me.They really like Avast reporting that only Norton found more infections. However Avast and Avg were both always nagging to upgrade to a paid version which speaking from personal experience with another free one Avira, is very annoying.Anyway they like Norton and Bit Defender. Bit Defender was offered for 600 points here with the MakeUseOf Rewards Program. I had enough points so I'm using it now..They still have 26 licenses open if you have enough points.
- These days I think its probably more common to encounter malware rather than viruses. A decent antimalware program such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would be a good companion to Win8 Defender.Most importantly, make sure you keep your browser, flash plugins, java and OS patches up to date to plug the security holes as soon as possible.
- No , many tests insist admitting that it fails to various malware attacks,you can use free options like AVG , or the outstanding zone alarm free antivirus + firewall from its name it has both antivrus and firewall which control programs accessing internet and stealth you system ports http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/1001_za/zaSetup_110_000_057.exe
- There is a word for people who use 'good enough' protection. That word is VICTIM.
- You really need to go with something else. Windows Defender in Win8 is based on MSE for previous versions of Windows, utilizing the same engine. Since this is the case, the failure to achieve certification in the last couple of iterations of MSE should give anyone pause when considering their AV solution.For those who espouse the use of MSE/Windows Defender, just because it isn't detecting any malware on your system does not mean you are not infected. Granted, the product gets a perfect score with zero false-positives, but in serious testing it has been found to let through the most malware resulting in a greater number of compromised systems and the compromises are more thorough than with competing products.
- I use WE in two laptops, one with Windows 7 and one with Windows XP, and I don´t use any antivirus at all in an old PC with Windows XP. Not a single problem. It all depends on your browsing habits.
- I would advise you to install a dedicated software for your needs (and an antivirus in particular).
I don't like Microsoft's antivirus. There are (even free) antiviruses which surpass Windows Defender regarding to reliability (and customization).
You may want to take into consideration to install also an antimalware - Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Superantispyware.. - I believe it is. I've seen more than one anti-virus programs go from #1 to being dead last in less than 3 years. No solution is 100% perfect, if you look at the side by side comparisons you'll see some are better at virus notification/protection and some are better at preventing malware. A good firewall and Microsoft's solution will suffice, as long as you're not into warez or torrents, in which case you've got bigger problems besides setting yourself up for an infection.
- I'm pretty much happy with the service of Defender in 8 :)
- There are too many GOOD free AV programs about to even think about Defender!
There has been a few suggestions made, I would say go with Avast Free. That has never let me down. - NO its not that safe,you must install a antivirus software for your own
good - buit-in is good enough if you have less important data in your pc whose corruption
or deletion wont affect you.otherwise go through the best one like bit-defender etc. - Bitdefender is currently the best antivirus software. And if you have enough points you can redeem it. MakeUseOf is giving Bitdefender Internet Security 2013 1 year license in the rewards section.
- Windows defender is not actually a fulltime replacement for any antivirus it just performs the role of say like firewall but until now whenever i have tried Win defender it has never caught any viruses with I was sure a virus because no other antivirus program let it stay in the system like Avast, avira , AvG, norton, kaspersky
- the best Windows software
Antivirus
//www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-windows-software/Microsoft Security Essentials
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403986,00.asp
Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0 does a decent job protecting a clean PC, but in testing its cleanup of already-infested systems wasn't thorough. You can get better protection for the same price. - Being a windows 8 user i will say that it is good enough for normal pc user safety and security as it have all the features of a good antivirus and best thing i like is that it does not slow your computer , i have used k7 antivirus from a long time time and i noticed that it
delays the startup time as well as pc performance as it keep scaning whichever folder you open ,this work is done windows defender also but it does not eats your ram and cpu .it also slows your internet as it first scan the page and then present it you . Hence i recommend windows defender is good enough for a normal pc user,even i use it. - I would suggest to back up windows defender with additional antivirus. At least, I did so
- You cannot put two antivirus together on one computer. It conflicts with one another. And placing a second antivirus will disable Windows Defender.
- In reality the most important and effective antivirus you'll ever use will be your own common sense. Be careful about the links you click on, files you download, and for the most part you'll be fine.However, I wouldn't recommend skipping an antivirus alltogether. I've been using MSE/Defender for roughly 3 years, and I haven't had a single issue with viruses or malware. What I like about Defender is that it's light on resources and doesn't try to upsell me every time I use it. (Avast/AVG/Avira/etc. all do this)
- Windows defender that comes as built in in Windows 8 is not good enough and is agreed by many Windows security experts.See the link below for detailed explanation -So,it's better to use a paid solution if you do online activities involving online banking,payments etc.
- Windows 8 Defender = MSE, which in the past has been a pretty decent antivirus. However late last year it did lose its AV-TEST certification if that means anything.
http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=124558Ultimately it really depends on how you use your PC an what type of sites you visit.
No antivirus is bulletproof. Maybe worth a browse of the test results though to help you decide. http://www.av-test.org/en/home/ - have been using windows 8 for some time now and haven't had any problem so far. good enough for me but you never know coz you still need to be really careful what you download and what sites you visit.
- I agree with you cuz I use win8 and never be attacked
- @Junil Mharjan:
The operative phrase in your statement is 'so far'.@Wei Dipie:
'I use win8 and never be attacked'
There always is the first time. - That is why I wrote the second line - 'you never know' and 'still need to be really careful what you download ..'
- Windows 8 Windows Defender is based off of Microsoft Security Essentials, in which they have not faired very well with many antivirus tests. If you want better for free, many of us here would suggest Avast antivirus and Comodo firewall. For a good standalone scanner (does not run in the background), install Malwarebytes Antimalware free version and use it to scan once in a while just to be safe.
- Since Windows 8 the Windows Defender uses the same virus definitions as the Microsoft Security Essentials. You can always install another or additional protection if you like. You can find some suggestions at the MUO Best Of page.
//www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-windows-software/ - You can never be too safe - it's better to get a program from a company that's purely devoted to anti-virus software as opposed to a company that designs an OS.Here's a free anti-virus program that I make sure to install in any windows computer that I can: AVG Antivirus - http://download.cnet.com/AVG-AntiVirus-Free-2013/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
- AVG is ok for FREE software. I am indifferent to antivirus, but from what I've heard Kaspersky or Norton is the way to go if you want to pay. I had AVG free about three years ago, used it for awhile, uninstalled it, installed Microsoft Security Essentials and MSE found so much crap under the radar AVG never caught. Everyone's got an opinion, but I am personally not too thrilled with AVG.. My $.02
- You should never download directly from cnet though, the installer packages contain adware and add ons. Use it more like a catalog / review siteGovernment.: This is a good, active site that includes television episodes. However, if you want to watch movies on your PC, you'll find plenty of options here to watch as often as you like.: This is like a super torrent index, searching for torrents across dozens of other torrent sites. Book torrent sites pdf. It was launched as a clone of the original site after it was taken over by the U.S. .: Popcorn Time is a site dedicated to streaming movies for free, so it's not actually a torrent download site.
- I would say no. The Firewall only has a one direction protection whereas a good Anti-Virus software will make sure you have both incoming and outgoing protection in your firewall. I doubt very much windows defender can do as good a job as the leading Anti-Virus Software. I use 'Bit-Defender' which has amazing protection with extras such as it's own browser to buy goods when using a credit card and a widget to drag and drop files into for scanning. I don't want to give you a specific link because I would advise you to 'shop around' searching for the best deals out there for whatever AV software you choose because the main sites may be a lot more expensive and there are better deals around. I hope this helps :)
- I think it should also be clarified that many standard antivirus programs generally wont provide any firewall, incoming or outgoing. They usually sell as 'Internet Security' software where they will include antivirus, firewall, and a bunch of other items.
- yeah..it is good enough to protect our PC from viruses....you don't need any other antivirus software to protect your pc.
- Bit of an unintentional mix up there on my part with 'Anti-Virus' & 'Internet Security'. When I got Win8 I read an article about the Firewall that it was only one way - it must have been referring to Win7. Personally though, I still feel securer with Bit Defender Internet Security at the moment but as time passes and Windows Defender does prove its security then I may use it along with AV software to grab the bits others miss. I just still wouldn't rely wholly on Defender :(
Windows 10 won’t hassle you to install an antivirus like Windows 7 did. Since Windows 8, Windows now includes a built-in free antivirus called Windows Defender. But is it really the best for protecting your PC–or even just good enough?
Windows Defender was originally known as Microsoft Security Essentials back in the Windows 7 days when it was offered as a separate download, but now it’s built right into Windows and it’s enabled by default. Many people have been trained to believe that you should always install a third-party antivirus, but that isn’t the best solution for today’s security problems, like ransomware.
So What’s the Best Antivirus? Please Don’t Make Me Read All This
We definitely recommend you read the entire article so you fully understand why we recommend a combination of Windows Defender andMalwarebytes, but since we know that tons of people will just scroll down and skim, here is our TL;DR recommendation for how to keep your system secure:
- Use the Built-in Windows Defender for traditional antivirus – the criminals have moved on from regular viruses to focus on Ransomware, zero-day attacks, and even worse malware that traditional antivirus just can’t handle. Windows Defender is built right in, blazing fast, doesn’t annoy you, and does its job cleaning old-school viruses.
- Use Malwarebytes for Anti-Malware and Anti-Exploit – all of the huge malware outbreaks these days are using zero-day flaws in your browser to install ransomware to take over your PC, and only Malwarebytes provides really excellent protection against this with their unique anti-exploit system. There’s no bloatware and it won’t slow you down.
Editor’s Note: This doesn’t even mention the fact that Malwarebytes, the company, is staffed by some really great people that we really respect. Every time we talk to them, they are excited about the mission of cleaning up the internet. It’s not often that we give an official How-To Geek recommendation, but this is our favorite product by far, and something we use ourselves.
A One-Two Punch: Antivirus and Anti-Malware
You need antivirus software on your computer, no matter how “carefully” you browse. Being smart isn’t enough to protect you from threats, and security software can help act as another line of defense.
However, antivirus itself is no longer adequate security on its own. We recommend you use a good antivirus program and a good anti-malware program. Together, they will protect you from most of the biggest threats on the internet today: viruses, spyware, ransomware, and even potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)—among many others.
So which ones should you use, and do you need to pay money for them? Let’s start with the first part of that combo: antivirus.
Is Windows Defender Good Enough?
When you install Windows 10, you’ll have an antivirus program already running. Windows Defender comes built-in to Windows 10, and automatically scans programs you open, downloads new definitions from Windows Update, and provides an interface you can use for in-depth scans. Best of all, it doesn’t slow down your system, and mostly stays out of your way—which we can’t say about most other antivirus programs.
RELATED:Do I Really Need Antivirus If I Browse Carefully and Use Common Sense?
For a short while, Microsoft’s antivirus fell behind the others when it came to comparative antivirus software tests—way behind. It was bad enough that we recommended something else, but it’s since bounced back, and now provides very good protection.
So in short, yes: Windows Defender is good enough (as long as you couple it with a good anti-malware program, as we mentioned above—more on that in a minute).
Windows Built In Antivirus Windows 7
But Is Windows Defender the Best Antivirus? What About Other Programs?
If you look at that antivirus comparison we linked to above, you’ll notice that Windows Defender, while good, does not get the highest ranks in terms of raw protection scores. So why not use something else?
First, let’s look at those scores. AV-TEST found that it still caught 99.9% of the “widespread and prevalent malware” in April 2017, along with 98.8% percent of the zero-day attacks. Avira, one of AV-TEST’s top rated antivirus programs, has the exact same scores for April—but slightly higher scores in past months, so its overall rating is (for some reason) much higher. But Windows Defender isn’t nearly as crippled as AV-TEST’s 4.5-out-of-6 rating would have you believe.
RELATED:Beware: Free Antivirus Isn’t Really Free Anymore
Furthermore, security is about more than raw protection scores. Other antivirus programs may occasionally do a bit better in monthly tests, but they also come with a lot of bloat, like browser extensions that actually make you less safe, registry cleaners that are terrible and unnecesary, loads of unsafe junkware, and even the ability to track your browsing habits so they can make money. Furthermore, the way they hook themselves into your browser and operating system often causes more problems than it solves. Something that protects you against viruses but opens you up to other vectors of attack is not good security.
Windows Defender does not do any of these things—it does one thing well, for free, and without getting in your way. Plus, Windows 10 already includes the various other protections introduced in Windows 8, like the SmartScreen filter that should prevent you from downloading and running malware, whatever antivirus you use. Chrome and Firefox, similarly, include Google’s Safe Browsing, which blocks many malware downloads.
Windows Built In Antivirus 2017
If you hate Windows Defender for some reason and want to use another antivirus, you can use Avira. It has a free version that works fairly well, a pro version with a few extra features, and it provides great protection scores and only has the occasional popup ad (but it does have popup ads, which are annoying). The biggest problem is that you need to be sure to uninstall the browser extension it tries to force on you, which makes it hard to recommend to non-technical people.
Antivirus Isn’t Enough: Use Malwarebytes, Too
Antivirus is important, but these days, it’s more important that you use a good anti-exploit program to protect your web browser and plug-ins, which are the most targeted by attackers. Malwarebytes is the program we recommend here.
Unlike traditional antivirus programs, Malwarebytes is good at finding “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs) and other junkware. As of version 3.0, it also contains an anti-exploit feature, which aims to block common exploits in programs, even if they are zero-day attacks that have never seen before—like those nasty Flash zero-day attacks. It also contains anti-ransomware, to block extortion attacks like CryptoLocker. The latest version of Malwarebytes combines these three tools into one easy-to-use package for $40 per year.
Malwarebytes claims to be able to replace your traditional antivirus entirely, but we disagree with this. It uses completely different strategies for protecting you: antivirus will block or quarantine harmful programs that find their way to your computer, while Malwarebytes attempts to stop harmful software from ever reaching your computer in the first place. Since it doesn’t interfere with traditional antivirus programs, we recommend you run both programs for the best protection.
Note that you can get some of Malwarebytes’ features for free, but with caveats. For example, the free version of Malwarebytes program will only scan for malware and PUPs on-demand—it won’t scan in the background like the premium version does. In addition, it doesn’t contain the anti-exploit or anti-ransomware features of the premium version.
You can only get all three features in the full $40 version of Malwarebytes, which we recommend. But if you’re willing to forego anti-ransomware and always-on malware scanning, the free versions of Malwarebytes and Anti-Exploit are better than nothing, and you should definitely use them.
There you have it: with a combination of a good antivirus program, Malwarebytes, and some common sense, you’ll be pretty well protected. Just remember that antivirus is only one of the standard computer security practices you should be following. Good digital hygiene isn’t a replacement for antivirus, but it is essential to making sure your antivirus can do its job.
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