Off topic computer question

Is anti-virus software really necessary on personal laptop computers?

Maybe there is some context needed, I only visit well-known reputable sites, I don't click on ads and I have my own wifi connection. I kind of live in the middle of nowhere, it actually took some effort to even find an internet provider here, maybe that's not relevant.

I don't want to pay 100 bucks a year for "peace of mind", I actually want results. I really want to know if it is worthwhile. If so, what would you guys recommend?

Sorry for the bogus question on a truck forum, I am not good with computers as you probably already guessed.

 

Windows computers come with Defender which is adequate for regular use

 

I've been dealing with computers since the punch cards days which makes me a dinosaur?
If you have Windows 10 or 11, your antivirus baked in and need to make sure patches and updates are taking place regularly.
If you have Mac, that's secured by default.
That being said there is no such a thing called 100% security as they're build by humans which tend to make mistakes.
And it goes without saying, don't click and every link and do stupid shit

 

Don’t visit gay porn sites and you should be fine.

 

I just searched in the lower left on my computer and it looks like I have Defender! I keep getting prompts from McAffee telling me that my antivirus is expired, but its been happening for a while. I didn't realize it was on this computer when I purchased it. I'm sure the salesman told me, I probably forgot or didn't entirely understand what it was.

Thanks John! I'm pretty careful about what I click on, but I only have one "mouse" button on my laptop, so I drag over stuff sometimes by mistake. I don't think I've clicked on anything bad yet. I always avoid ads and stuff like that.

I think I'm in the clear on this one.

 

I thought I received a spam email earlier today from my bank, there was a file attached to it and I was about to click on it. I wasn't sure if anti virus would catch something like that though.

 

most computers come with a trial of some kind of McAfee, Symantec, etc. - make sure to uninstall that to ensure that Windows knows to use the built in antivirus

 

This^^^. Do NOT install McAfee, Symantec, or any other 3rd party antivirus. They do not perform as well as Windows Defender and will likely screw your internet connection up at some point. You can add protection by getting Malwarebytes. It works in conjunction with Defender to add an additional layer of protection. In today's world, malware can be found on even legitimate sites, so going online at all exposes you to it.

 

This above, usually the default operation system would work fine, but if you "must" get something, get Malwarebytes. Most 3rd party anti-virus software would pickup defender as a virus and vise-versa. Malwarebytes, on the the other hand, has been pretty good (knock on wood). Though, I just don't bother installing anything, I re-install Windows/Linux/Mac on a regular basis, meaning, about once every 3 months or so.....

 

I've been using Avast, which is free, but I thought I saw something recently about them having a bunch of customers' info stolen recently or something like that.

 

Definitely run Ad Block, though.

 

If you use Win 10 or 11, use Windows defender. Don’t waste time on 3rd party AV like McAfee or Symantec - they are huge bloatware programs. Make sure your router is fairly current. Don’t use Spectrum or Comcast email - they don’t filter much malware. Gmail does a pretty good job. Alway hover over sender address to see who actually sent stuff. Never click on links in emails - instead type in the URL that you know or have in favorites. Surf the internet cautiously and don’t click on links in sketchy sites or that appear suspicious like tinyURLs. If you do and get a warning that your computer is infected like I did from a FB site, use control-alt-del to close browser and all applications. Then clear your cache. Run malware bytes free once a month. Get Macrium free and run a backup image weekly and keep it in a safe place. That way you have everything in case you have a brain fart and succumb to randomware. Win 11 Forums has lots of good info how to do all this. Consider a NAS to store your data.

 

If really security conscious switch from Windows to Linux and use LibreOffices and Thunderbird mail clients. Seems hacker are Linux fans and less likely to attack a Linux system

 

Linux. Nothing works, even viruses

 

I preach this. My devices are just access machines.

 

You touched on it here. I accidentally clicked on an email that looked legitimate until I noticed a spelling error, unfortunately by that point, I had already opened an attachment. I was expecting something similar to the attachment from the "sender" (a bank in this case), so I acted too quickly on opening it and not scrutinizing it thoroughly. I don't keep anything saved in my computer, so I guess I worry more about my email getting hacked.

My "free" (included with the computer) McAfee app expired and I ignored it for a while. I've uninstalled McAfee and I did verify Defender was in-place.

I appreciate the help, all you guys! I wish I was better with this stuff.

 

We all wish we were better with this stuff. It is a constant effort to stay informed and educated on this. It only gets more difficult as you get more responsibilities. About the only ones who can really keep up are the ones who get paid specifically to keep networks safe, and even they can get caught off guard on occasion.

 

As a cybersecurity engineer and avid linux user, I have to say Linux has its own security issues, no OS is safe. That said for windows you are fine with defender most of the time.

 

You can use Windows Defender, but there are free antiviruses such as AVAST and AVG if you want something more. If you want to pay for something though I'd suggest Malwarebytes.

 

I have a Mac so....



Seriously, agree with most here - no OS is safe. If it's popular (even if it's not), bad actors will focus on it. Make sure ANY device you own is protected. Macs are somewhat inherently protected (no, not because 'It's a Mac' - look at https://support.apple.com/guide/security/protecting-against-malware-sec469d47bd8/web) as are Windows machines with Defender. I usually utilize Malwarebytes as well.

 

When did it stop being free?

 

I only open email attachments from someone that I know is sending me something and we’ve already talked on the phone about it. Or if not, they’re someone that will answer their phone if I call them about an email. Otherwise? DELETE.

If it’s important, call me. If you don’t have my number, it’s (you’re) not important.

 

A decade ago I worked on proprietary product that ships to government and banks by truckloads and was considered very secure, among the best in the industry. One day we started to scan the source code regularly with static code analyzer that pinpoints code quality issues, potentially exploitable by hackers. Our old code base, in some parts even older than Linux kernel, had in order of magnitude more issues than Linux kernel. The code quality process in Linux only accelerated since then. It is a subject of corporate attention, as well as research project for many real smart students and postdocs. More secure simply because more people care about its security. And its not security over obscurity, which happens imminently in proprietary OSes like Windows or MacOS.

I'm a Linux user/developer since 2004 and I never had a virus or security breach on any of my computers or home servers.

 

I started my career with punch cards and assembly language then moved to SCO, Sun Microsystems Solaris and BSDI with C++, before Linux was even invented, so that makes me a dinosaur MacOS is based on BSDI flavor and started from NextStep which tried to replace SGI Irix. So many *nix flavors there now days. Most *unix flavor are pretty secure but not perfect. Nothing is perfect as a matter of fact.

 

@T-Rex266 I think you are under premium?
Not saying that's not a good option, companies are for-profit, so charging for a product/service is rightfully so and their rights.
However, looks like they have the free version, Malwarebytes Free. Maybe uninstall the current one and install that?
Usually, point of entry of infection is upon impact, so Free would do the gate keeping job of scanning it after download.
Granted, it will not be 100% fail safe proof, but neither is premium, no matter how they pitch it.