New Windows 10 user

Kari said:

Nothing to add to this discussion, just my two Euro cents.

Since Microsoft Security Essentials was published a month before Windows 7 back in 2009 I have never used anything else than MSE in Windows 7 and Defender in Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. My computer / Windows usage is extensive, yet I have never had any malware / PUP issues, apart of two or three occasions when my own stupidity has caused an issue (downloaded something from these "GiveAway" sites as recommended by friends or co-workers). Restoring system to a restore point has taken care of those issues.

Preparing for angry counter arguments and comments I would like to state that the following is my personal and subjective opinion. It is not a suggestion, nor a recommendation:

You really do not need any other protection in Windows 10 computers than Windows native Defender, Windows Firewall, a firewall on your router and common sense. This is based on you remembering the following:

• Never click any links in unsolicited email messages
• Never open any sent files or email attachments from unknown sources
• Be careful even with sent files from people you know
• Never download anything from any of multiple GiveAway sites
• Forget torrents. Sad truth is that most of them are used for illegal file sharing; you can't trust that someone already breaking the law by sharing intellectual property illegally have not hidden a surprise or two in your "nice and free" game or CD rip
• Don't surf on suspicious sites; I promise you that when you mates share a link on Facebook which tells that by only clicking the link you have already won a new iPad, that's not true

A bit off topic I might also add that I have not used any registry cleaners and Windows tweakers since I moved from XP to Vista in 2006. Not a single time. Windows is totally capable to take care of itself, be it protecting against malware or keeping registry OK.

Kari

Just as I said, it's all between your ears, all you wrote is exactly that. May I just ad one more, beware of USB and disks from other people or yours you took to other computers.

CountMike said:

Just as I said, it's all between your ears, all you wrote is exactly that. May I just ad one more, beware of USB and disks from other people or yours you took to other computers.

That really is an important addition, one I totally forgot from my list :)

Vince Massi said:

Gary, I was surprised to learn that Defender has PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) protection.

But the link you gave explains "The Potentially Unwanted Application protection feature is available only for enterprise customers."

You do some selective reading, don't you?

This quote from the beginning of the tutorial in question:

   Note

While Microsoft announced the new PUA feature as only available for the Enterprise edition of Windows 10, Home and Pro editions can also enable it on their Windows 10 PCs to block the deployment of adware during software installations.

PUA protection updates are included as part of the existing definition updates and cloud protection of Windows Defender.