Laptop Security Software (Windows)

What’s good/cheap/free these days?

Used to use MSE back in the day but can see that’s discontinued.

Haven’t had to think much about it in recent years since we have work supplied machines which have always been taken care my the IT bods, but we’ve just bought a personal laptop that needs sorting.

Appreciate any suggestions ?

Isn’t Windows Defender just fine nowadays – no need for third party software.

Ah cool thanks, I’m a bit out of the loop!

Yeah, built in windows security is fine for home use.

So have i been wasting my money using Norton360 across a number of W10 devices? I also use their password and VPN provision within 360 and it’s an easy package – and (prayer to the virus gods) I haven’t had any issues

…plus patch your shit. When Windows and your chosen web browser have an update, take it. If something looks a bit dodgy it usually is.

Yeah always been on the ball with my updates…ta!

The issue last week of numerous windows pc and servers being ‘broken’ due to a corrupt file from a non Microsoft security product, is a good illustration as to why adding a non microsoft security product is a bad idea. Just make sure Windows Defender is configured to be switched on.

@susepic potentially yes. Now you have the added joy of trying to unpick what Norton have installed everywhere on your machine, should you wish to unsubscribe.  I think they offer a removal tool.

if you do unsubscribe don’t forget turn all the widows native stuff back on.

apart from thinking you’re hiding yourself when browsing from Costa, or when connecting to a corporate network, can anyone actually tell me what use a VPN is to a personal user?

can anyone actually tell me what use a VPN is to a personal user?

This article  is a good example why using vpn (so long as its a trusted provider) is useful.

That and trying to avoid geoblocks, torrent/similar site blocking and just feeling paranoid about viewing porn I think tops the list. Latter especially true whenever halfwit politicians talk about requiring proof of age to view it and hence a lovely target for hackers.

Now you have the added joy of trying to unpick what Norton have installed everywhere on your machine, should you wish to unsubscribe. I think they offer a removal tool.

Is it not McAffee that you need a masters in computing science to remove? Any instances of Norton I’ve dealt with (albeit not in the last decade) were pretty easy to get rid of.

Yes Mcaffee is notorious for being uninstallable, but I’ve also seen issues with Symantec endpoint and its retail brother Norton 360.

@hot_fiat but is there any suspicion that Norton would be doing anything dodge?

I use vpn when travelling on business and using public WiFi, and passwords cos my memory can’t cope with all those characters. Tried NordVPN for vpn and kept getting strange error messages why it couldn’t connect- can’t be bothered w that shit when it’s late in new joisey

Not dodgy but they’re a resource hog and the antivirus is pretty redundant these days.

Never used a VPN so can’t comment in that regard.