Windows Defender vs ???

[Shamu]

Windows Defender comes with the WIN 7 program.

 

Does anyone know just how good it is or should you be downloading one of the free Antivirus programs like Avast or AVG or perhaps a bought program like Spyware Doctor or Webroot?

 

I know you advised not to run both because of conflicts.

 

Bottom line am I okay with what WIN 7 provides?

 

Edit: My new laptop from Asus had a trial version of Trend Micro installed. Deleted that sucker, it would not let me download maps and even caused an occaisional lockup when trying to download.

[Mad Cow]

I turned Defender off on my 64 bit WIN7.  I don't  like too many things running in the background, and everything that is "microsoft" is bloatware in my books.  I installed PCTools Antivirus because of its small footprint.  Works like a charm! I do have SpySweeper installed, but not running....just in case of emergency.

[Blackbart]

I had windows defender and was haveing puter probs so at Rick James suggestion I loaded Avast free version and no probs with it...

[Labob]

Windows defender is not an antivirus. If you want a free antivirus why not use one made by the people who made the OS the antivirus is suppose to protect. Thus by fighting all the crap pointed at windows and finnally making an effort to stop viruses and trojens instead of the ones designed to protect you but not stopping the problem. Because by stopping the problem it would kill your bussness. So there is the concept. MS does not want to be in the antivirus bussness but needs to find a way to put an end to people hacking there OS. The rest like viruses and trojens because protecting you is there busness. Theere that sounds about right

 

    http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

[Crazyhorse]

I have the AVG free version and it works great.

[ROCKAPE]

All I will say is "what do you get for free"?

I have had to fix more pcs with free AVG on them than any other anti-virus.

[Cavey]

Rockape is right on the Money.  I also have had to fix lots of computers with AVVG free edition.  Must be a Dorset thing!!!  AVG free edition was good about 5 years ago when they invested heavily.  However it hasn't been in their interest in recent years, and shows.

 

I'm a true believer in "You get what you pay for"  and "Security Suites" from Bitdefender and Kaspersky.  Even Norton have rewritten their solution from the ground up, which has made it much quicker, and highly rated.

 

I personally use Kaspersky internet security 2010.  This is a 2 year license for upto 3 pcs, and only costing £70!!!  Bargin.

[Gump]

Microsoft Security Essentials automatically disables Windows Defender when installed.

[ROCKAPE]

http://www.bullguard.com/try/bullguard-internet-security.aspx

 

I have used Bullguard on around 15+ pcs now and the great thing about it is it is not memory hungry like Nortons and Mcaffee.you can download the 60day free trial,it comes with anti virus,firewall etc and does exactly what it should to protect all your internet needs.When the 60 day trial is up I have always purchased a new licence from ebay for £6.45 and all you do is type the license key in and you then have another 365 days.

Bullguard can be installed on up to 3 pcs registered under the same email address,they also have an online chat for support.I wouldnt use anything else.

If you need to know more please get in touch by xfire or pm.

 

Hope this helps.

[EDD THE DUCK]

i've used avast free for a couple of years. its brill . updates everyday and never had a problem.

[LiquidStool]

i thought Defender was a malware thing?  i have that and mcaffe AV running on together, no conflicts no bother - in fact i've never had an issue with defender on vista x64 or 7 x64.  Never had a virus problem either come to think of it.  Sure, AVG free was always pickin up program cracks as a trojan but i never actually got an infection, and that is suprising given the amount of porno i download - just ask Dawg, he "borrowed" 60gb of porn that would make your eyes bleed and he ain't got an infection......at least a pc related one...HAHAHAHAHAHA - gotcha!

[Venery]

at least get a good antivirus...might i suggest nod32 by eset..its light weight and is not a resourse hog...your computer wont notice its there and its great at seeking out viruses....as for malware and spyware i use malwarbytes, spybot search and destroy, hijack this and norman malware cleaner all 4 have free versions which work great. norton and mcafee are both ram killers and in my opinion are popular cause they spend more for advertising...as for windows defender... its worthless at removing malware and spyware. as a computer techie thats my 2 cents.....V

[billyblade]

I got defender, hell half the time i dont even remember if i have it running or not, but my avast is running constantly. Free, and kick ass.....AVAST baby.

[Labob]

every time windows does an update it automatically updates and runs windows defender. This is so you don't have to because lets face it you will alweays forget. if you don"t think its ther or doing its job just go to "start"  "run" and type I think its "mrt"  it will launch because its always running. You guys and girls have to get your shit sticks all in a row here and get on the lets stop the crap boat. If your going to run a free antivirus you now have 1 choice thats microsoft its a no brainer as I said in a post above. If you pay well nod32 is good but even there there days are numbered for the reasons I stated upove. Its all about the money and once again all antivirus solutions are ther to protect you not the operating system! MS is out to change that and make the operating system safe . Really is not MS right for doing this ?? As users we have to educate ourselves as to how to best protect ourselves from this crap. Just google or Bing it but most of all just read on the topic its really the next way a war will be fought and if you let you machine be open to crap are you not part of the problem.

[snakepliskin]

I too have been runnin avast for a couple of years,works great,no probs here!