New PC - Antivirus Advice Please

[greido]

I've recently bought a new PC for the first time in around 6 years so I'm a bit out of touch with the latest Antivirus software and wondered if anyone had any recommendations?
The new laptop comes with McAfee pre-installed but I don't believe it's the best available.

Thanks in advance,

Gordon

[Ferg]

Looked into this recently. Had had enough of AVG. Have never liked the McAfee and Norton offerings. After researching what had the best protection, device coverage and background services I went for BitLocker. Something like £50 per annum for enough licenses to cover both my computers and all the family mobile devices. As an aside it gives me control and reporting on kids tablets etc.

I'm happy so far.

[tut]

I am on Macs nowadays, but I believe that with Windows10 its own protection is sufficient nowadays if you automatically upgrade.

Stacks of expertise on here so I can be corrected. The obvious is don't do stupid things like opening e-mails or clicking on links if you are not certain where they came from.

tut

[campbell]

ESET NOD32 here. Lightweight, affordable, responsive support.

[Lazydonkey]

Windows defender is free, built in and reliable. Your milage may vary but if you're reasonably sensible online it is more than enough imho

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[David]

I'd agree with Tut, no real need for 'extra' software these days as most operating systems are continually fixing any weaknesses. Why use all your processing power to detect a virus that ain't going to hurt you? I think a general awareness of PC health and cautious browsing habits are a better than hours of endless scans by anti virus software that are often worse than the problem they are trying to prevent.

[greido]

Many thanks for the responses guys, it's very much appreciated....... Looks like Windows 10 is the answer, that saves me a lot of hassle.
Thanks again,

Gordon

[Ferg]

One of the problems now is that infection is no longer a slight nuisance like it was 10 years ago. Infection poses a real threat to either your data or your personal info. Malware is big business. While I have windows 10, I like the extra layer of Malware protection. Attacks are getting more sophisticated all the time.

[steve_weegie]

One of the problems now is that infection is no longer a slight nuisance like it was 10 years ago. Infection poses a real threat to either your data or your personal info. Malware is big business. While I have windows 10, I like the extra layer of Malware protection. Attacks are getting more sophisticated all the time.

^^ This.

And patch everything. Often.

I get to build my own work laptop, and I put Comodo on that, as well as on my home computers. They do a free version, which is, quite frankly, brilliant (if you don't install "geekbuddy") and will cover most virus / malware attack surfaces. You'll get their antivirus, firewall, secure browser, sandbox app virtualisation for £0.

This is worth a read too

[Corranga]

Spend the 50 quid on an external USB hard drive and back up important stuff often.
Use Windows Defender and keep windows patched.
Don't go looking for trouble on the internet.
Don't open dodgy sites or attachments.

Done.

[Ferg]

Then that one time you let someone check their mail on your device.....boom


We share laptops and tablets etc. But I get the point.

[Corranga]

Then that one time you let someone check their mail on your device.....boom


We share laptops and tablets etc. But I get the point.

I never thought of that

I run a home server with my important files on it, and it backs up the important things to USB HDD.
My laptop has some more recent photos etc. on it, but if it were to become infected, the inconvenience is just time based.
Also, I don't share