Which free antivirus will you prefer to use with win 10?  

Hey,

I will go for Avast, because this is the first anti virus which I have ever used. I don't know why but I hate other anti viruses, I only love Avast ! Long Live Avast :)

- Fahadking07

For now I will use Windows Defender but when the final version becomes available I will use my favorite NOD 32.

Hi Folks

even the mighty IBM say about 80% of computer intrusions is due to USER / HUMAN problems which can't be prevented or protected against in any way whatsoever by Software.

The best protection is YOU. If you are in a HOME environment most AV software apart from the standard Windows defender (W8 / W10) is simply a total waste of time.

Your time is much better spent on ensuring you use your computer intelligently, avoid being scammed, don't give any unnecessary information about yourself on social media sites, change passwords frequently and check very carefully before downloading anything. A lot of sites these days deliberately hide the real download amongst a confusion of green arrows etc. Uncheck any "special offers" or toolbars. Avoid also using 3rd party installers etc).

Email also needs to be handled carefully - don't open attachments from people you don't know and be careful of bogus sites like fake Tax refunds, Bank sites etc.

Avoid also in particular sites like DriverMax which offer to find outdated drivers and then want to CHARGE you for access to the download for the new ones (which is invariably FREEWARE from the manufacturers site - just needs a bit more searching). These sites are known as SNEAKERWARE. Offer you something free but charge you for the bit you actually want.

Security issues for HOME computers is vastly overblown these days if you follow those simple rules and learn what the current scams are.

(Corporate security is another issue -- but my remarks here refer to essentially HOME computers).

Cheers
jimbo

Hi there

Human error is CORRECTABLE - and NO software will prevent you from being scammed if you don't take basic precautions.

Windows defender (built in ) is sufficient for the rest.

A whole industry has built up around the threat of Computer Viruses --Hackers aren't so interested in this stuff any more -- what's more of a nuisance are those programs that change your defaults, come with "toolbars" or free offers or launch IE directing you to zillions of shopping sites etc.

A lot of these aren't actually "Malware" as defined by AV software --these can be perfectly legit but hideously annoying programs that AV software can't really defend against. ONLY YOU can do this by being extremely careful with what you download and what links you open in emails or even web sites.

Even downloading Music / Movies from torrents is safe as houses these days provided the file is a proper AVI/MP3/MP4/FLAC/MKV or recognized codec file as any "imperfections" in it will render the file as noise or unplayable with your multi-media software. (Don't load ZIP/ other archived files because that's where you COULD get an infection).

Here's a challenge for all you Computer Security Gurus.

Link me to an infected multi media file (must be a file with a proper codec extension e.g mp3). Now I'll download it on a separate machine with ONLY windows defender as security, play it with a multi media player - and whether it plays or not will see if it's infected my machine.

There you are -- Have a go.

Cheers
jimbo

So far no argument from me. The only good AV is the one that's between your ears.

Jeff