Windows defender with 100% protection in December 2017 AV-test

Windows defender performed great in Latest AV-test.org test of AV solutions for Windows Home users, achieving 100% for protection. Performance impact is about average, false positives are not so great...




www.av-test.org | antivirus/home-windows

I know a lot of people here use it, Windows Defender, but ........ a week or so ago I noticed my Bitdefender was about a gig and a half. Was trying to free up some space so I thought I would give W.D. a shot because of the glowing reviews here. Within 3 days I had 7 , yes 7 infections. 6 javascript and another one I don't remember ...... think it was some kind of Trojan. After cleanings by the Malicious Software Tool, Eset online, Adaware, Malwarebytes, and Superantispyware I finally gave up and just did a reinstall. I don't want to start a debate on the merits of each A/V but I will NEVER trust W.D. again. We all have our preferences and our online habits are different. For MY needs W.D. just does not work. Your mileage may vary.

indianacarnie said:

I know a lot of people here use it, Windows Defender, but ........ a week or so ago I noticed my Bitdefender was about a gig and a half. Was trying to free up some space so I thought I would give W.D. a shot because of the glowing reviews here. Within 3 days I had 7 , yes 7 infections. 6 javascript and another one I don't remember ...... think it was some kind of Trojan. After cleanings by the Malicious Software Tool, Eset online, Adaware, Malwarebytes, and Superantispyware I finally gave up and just did a reinstall. I don't want to start a debate on the merits of each A/V but I will NEVER trust W.D. again. We all have our preferences and our online habits are different. For MY needs W.D. just does not work. Your mileage may vary.

@indianacarnie, sorry to hear that. Hate when it happens. Did you check where did those came from. It's always useful info. I'm using WD for about a year now and not have a single infection. Must admit, it was very similar with Bitdefender before :)

But WD is only a part of my solutions, always adding:
- antiexploit (Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit)
- still using Winpatrol, altough many say that it's obsolete
- safe DNS provider (I like quad9 lately)
- script blocker in browser
- downloading only from sites I trust, and even then often check with Virustotal - especially when downloading from author's site

lx07 said:

I used Avast in the '90s. It was OK.

Thanks god. I was worried about Spectre and Meltdown. No more - I now know I'm 100% safe.

Safe from what I dunno

True that. I do visit a lot of dodgy sites and WD works for me. It has worked fine for the last decade. My experience is anecdotal at best though - perhaps I should visit even dodgier sites.

If AV is free I don't care. It does depress me when people pay $50 a year for snakeoil though. Mind you it is their money and if it makes them happy then whatever...

Oh, I don't put WD on top of AVs, nor do I believe that tests cover everything It is just one of indications where the products are. And it's kinda nice to see that AVs perform well...