Choice of free anti-virus

[Kenny]

Had an unrelated little blip the other day and it made me think about getting a free anti-virus. Don't get me wrong, paid for kaspersky for about 25 years but Puitin put
me off that one !! So ( btw I only visit a few websites so don't scan all around the www ) do I remain with my Windows 11 anti virus or go with Avast or Kaspersky free versions ?

 

[wessie]

I have used Windows Defender and its followers ever since they acquired Giant Antispyware in 2004. I have never had an infection. I use it together with Ublock Origin which blocks pop-ups and ads in the chrome browser, including stripping out the embedded ads in Youtube.

 

[SBD]

I use Windows 11 as-is. Our IT Manager has firewalls, Barracuda AV and lots of protection for the office site.

I recall Norton had a major office in Pune, and 99% of the scam emails I get are to do with my (non-existent) Macafee AV subscription running out.

I guess you pays yer money.

 

[busy builder]

No such thing as free anti virus

 

[sparkplug]

Avast, AVG, Bitdefender - all free and all pretty good.

 

[twizzle]

I’ve used the free version of AVG for years, no issues

 

[twizzle]

Make sure you download it from AVG and not a dodgy copycat..

 

[wessie]

No such thing as free anti virus

but there is the, "use what you have already paid for when buying the Windows licence included with your device purchase" factor rather than subscribing to another service that will target ads at you and/or harvest your data.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

On a personal laptop, I use AVG free and have done for years
On my work computers I pay for Bit Defender

 

[The Other PaulG]

Don’t go near macafee. Their business model has changed, you buy their service, it alerts you to risks then takes you to a page inviting you to purchase a fix. I am appalled

 

[SBD]

I looked at this thread again and wondered if RFK had joined GSERS

 

[JoeBiff]

I use Windows 11 as-is. Our IT Manager has firewalls, Barracuda AV and lots of protection for the office site.

I recall Norton had a major office in Pune, and 99% of the scam emails I get are to do with my (non-existent) Macafee AV subscription running out.

I guess you pays yer money.

Same, same.
Many years ago I was running W Vista and had been a long term subscriber with Norton.
I used them for tech help on one occasion and card details were passed to them. A few days later some money was symphonies from my bank account which traced back to their back room ops. Seems they had a scallywag in Pune which almost destroyed their reputation and business.
Needless to say, Norton went the journey…

 

[sparkplug]

Many years ago I was running W Vista

I'm very sorry to hear that. I'm glad to hear you're better now....

While malware was all the rage back then the current fashion among cyber malfeasants today is phishing.

The vast majority of attacks (85%ish) are through phishing and spoofing (when an email appears to come from somewhere it actually doesn't).

Your good old fashioned malware is still around but it's only filling up the other 15% so while it's still something you need to be protecting against, you really also need to make sure that you and your family understand what a phishing attack looks like (also things like quishing where a fake QR code sticker is put over the top of a real one - often on car park payment machines).

I've had a 'proper' commercial firewall at home for at least 15 years now. I get at least 100 attacks per day. This is also why I spent a bit more money on a 'proper' LTE router for the van that has a passable firewall built in. I'm probably more careful than most, but I'm surprised by how few people do this.

 

[JoeBiff]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I'm glad to hear you're better now....

I’m pleased you’re back with your sense of humour and posting as a human being again
I’ve missed you since you gave up the tenancy of the pub.
There’s really SFA money in pub tenancies, these days.

While malware was all the rage back then the current fashion among cyber malfeasants today is phishing.

The vast majority of attacks (85%ish) are through phishing and spoofing (when an email appears to come from somewhere it actually doesn't).

I like to think I’m savvy enough to recognise it before it does me any harm. I know there’s always the chance, but I feel it’s slim. Plus, I tend not to frequent the less reputable sites on the web.

Your good old fashioned malware is still around but it's only filling up the other 15% so while it's still something you need to be protecting against, you really also need to make sure that you and your family understand what a phishing attack looks like (also things like quishing where a fake QR code sticker is put over the top of a real one - often on car park payment machines).

Again, wary too of those. Thanks for the heads up.
I like to think I’ve educated my better half to be on guard, too.

I've had a 'proper' commercial firewall at home for at least 15 years now. I get at least 100 attacks per day. This is also why I spent a bit more money on a 'proper' LTE router for the van that has a passable firewall built in. I'm probably more careful than most, but I'm surprised by how few people do this.

That’s going a bit beyond my expertise, though I once went into the home router and noticed it had some odd-named “attacks” registered on it. I can’t recall now how I accessed it, but it was a bit sceptical at the time of someone we were hosting from a foreign country (and how they were using the Wi-Fi access).

 

[Kenny]

Thanks for all the replies, went with Avast and will see how that goes. if not, go with Johnny Boxers AVG recommendation

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks for all the replies, went with Avast and will see how that goes. if not, go with Johnny Boxers AVG recommendation

You will be fine with that

 

[Pukmeister]

I’ve had emails allegedly from “myself” (my own email address header) I found in my junk/spam folder saying I’m a pervert, they have hacked my PC with clever software and now have videos via my webcam of me wanking off that they will post to all my contacts unless I pay them in bitcoin. If I fail to act there will be repercussions blah blah blah….

Such blackmail messages appear now and then along with all the other scams and chancers, I don’t give a shit but they must terrify anybody who’s been doing some recent “one handed surfing”.

No idea where it really came from, how they found my email address, if they can access my browser history remotely etc etc.

No webcam on my PC, my laptop has a shutter over its inbuilt camera that is permanently closed though I haven’t covered up the front camera on my iPhone or iPad. I wouldn’t have a clue how to buy or send bitcoin anyway.

I use Windows Defender in Win11 and Express VPN on all devices.