[Closed] computer security

The standard Microsoft Defender that comes with Win10 is pretty decent. As long as you have that enabled and the firewall on and set up, you should be mostly fine.

Just stay away from porn websites and avoid downloading cracked software from dodgy ftp sites.

You can do better than Defender - look for free "for home/personal" versions of AV as they're usually closely related to the paid-for version under the hood.
GET YOUR BACKUPS SORTED
but if you can find something that includes anti-ransomware protection, do consider that (belt and braces).
Set up a non-admin account for everyday use and keep the account (s) with admin privileges for when you need them (installing/removing stuff).
And keep the machine and all the software you have installed up to date with the latest patches.

From a couple of days ago:

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-win-10-pc-incoming-for-mac-user-what-anti-virus/

Ta

The built in Windows Defender is fine.

You get much further with computer security by being sensible than with AV. The built in Windows Defender, as others have said, is very good. Plenty of independent reviews out there show it is up there with the best of them.

However, not clicking on dodgy links, visiting dodgy sites, keeping your computer updated with security patches etc is the key. Touch wood I have only ever had one virus and that was my own fault for installing some dodgy software.

IIRC the CEO of Norton AV said he didn't actually use any AV software himself as there was no point if you were sensible but there was a market for AV software so that's what he sold.

Bear in mind, to compleatly get rid of Mcafee, you might need to download thier removal tool and run it, Mcafee is a bloody virus in itself if you ask me.

Remove MacAfee, it's not much more than a scam. As above use the tool.

Windows has the firewall and anti-virus built in and on by default.

It is possible to accidentally click on a bad link and end up with something dodgy. The one time I had malware that's what happened. It installed a proxy server on my local machine and redirected all my traffic to that, all with a single click on a link that I didn't actually intend to click on. It was in a STW ad I think. I couldn't navigate to any sites to download any tools, fortunately being an elite highly skilled IT professional (or something) I was able to fix it myself.

Set up a non-admin account for everyday use and keep the account (s) with admin privileges for when you need them (installing/removing stuff).

I don't think this is necessary any more, because even if your account is an admin it will still prompt you to approve any administrative actions. That's what the annoying pop-up is. If that comes up when you are installing something or making a change, then fine. If it comes up when you are not expecting it then that's malware attempting to do something.

Yeah keep Windows updated and equally important keep the web browsers (Firefox, Chrome maybe others) updated as they're the 'thing' that touches the dirty stuff** and therefore needs to be up to date with their jabs. Also update Adobe Acrobat and Office software if you have it but not as important as OS and browsers.

Windows Defender is fine and Microsoft are investing a ton of time and effort in producing corporate security stuff which trickles down into the home world.

Don't download and install random shit.

** not just the dirty lady sites cos scammers can embed all sorts of stuff in adverts which load as part of 'legitimate' sites too.

Thanks folks

No need for anti malware stuff then? Even if using slightly dodgy sports streaming sites?

What everyone is saying (well most people anyway) is use the Microsoft built-in anti malware/virus etc stuff. But if you go to dodgy sites then all bets are off whatever random “security” software you use, so make good backups and be prepared to use them.

Even if using slightly dodgy sports streaming sites?

Yeah get a cheap second hand 'burner' laptop (with a recovery partition) that doesn't have any useful data on it (photos, docs), and isn't used for things you care about like banking. Think of it as a telly with the added bonus you can use it for other questionable activities.

The 'transient' nature of dodgy sports streaming, the urgency associated with getting it working, and use of plugins and niche provider VPN software means you'll be taking risks that you don't want anywhere near the data and applications you care about.

Even if using slightly dodgy sports streaming sites?

The presence of a 'new' computer would imply the presence of an 'old' one.

Failing that, Add Features | Windows Sandbox.

the old 'puter is running win 7 🙂

the old ‘puter is running win 7 🙂

...and? You can upgrade the O/S for free, just download the WIndows 10 ISO and install it over the top.

It's been mentioned on the forum a couple of times over the years

PS: I happily rely on Windows Defender and have for numerous years without issue (though also use Malwarebytes), the last time I used a free AV was with Windows 7.

Even if using slightly dodgy sports streaming sites?

equally important keep the web browsers (Firefox, Chrome maybe others) updated as they’re the ‘thing’ that touches the dirty stuff**

As above, don't just focus on the overall security (MS Defender etc), but check your browsers. Firefox with the NoScript addon works pretty well - it's a bit of a faff to manually enable every single part of a web page that you load, but means you can pick which bits not to load and hopefully avoid the worst of the scammy overlays/ ads/ etc.