MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I've been running Bitdefender Total Security on my Windows 10 PC for some years; it's been temperamental at times and the latest edition of this bloated package now includes webcam protection which refuses to be turned off and blocks all of my multi-media devices from any program that goes near the webcam!
I've finally uninstalled (with a fair few months left on my subscription) but with all the viruses and ransomware that's going about, can I rely on Windows Defender and Windows Firewall or should I be looking at something else?
So long as you trust yourself not to click on stupid shit and apply released patches promptly, yes.
Pro version is awsumz, home edition not so much. That's from a malware analyst.
There's no pro/home of Windows Defender and it's always free (or rather, inclusive in Windows).
It's included in Windows 10.
It does the job without slowing your system down.
It isn't bloatware.
That's about it.
No it isn't pre-emptive firewall/mail filter etc. But you have a firewall in Windows anyway, plus in your router most likely. You don't need pro-active firewalls that nag you for permission to do everything, unless you're the type to blindly click and install without thinking.
A lot of ISPs will filter mail anyway for viruses. Even if they get through, Defender will catch it on opening attachments, but if you're sensible you'll not open anything you aren't expecting or trust anyway.
For extra sanity, you can run Malwarebytes also. Free version just scans, doesn't install background bloat.
That's from a malware analyst.
Interesting, would you mind elaborating?
Thanks, I believe that is much improved in Windows 10, I'm just not sure it up there with the best of the commercial offerings. I don't do anything particularly dangerous with the PC so it might be sufficient.
When I upgraded to 10 I kept defender as its not as bloated as Panda or any of the other commercial scanners. Never had an issue.
It's all I use, I have ccleaner and malware bytes also that I run periodically if I feel the need.
No need for a 3rd party antivirus that's actively running IMO.
But as above, browse sensibly.