Long time "Internet Security" user - is Microsoft Defender enough?

Been discussed ad infinitum and ad nauseum in multiple forums, thus one included.

Your search engine is your friend.

Hello @Damun,

Obviously Anti-Virus/Malware Programs/Software is personal choice and down to the user to decide what coverage they want for their computer, and then investigate and pick a suitable option, or options.

Some AV's throttle your Internet connection, or often give FALSE Positives.

Microsoft Defender [ formerly Windows Defender ] has come a LONG way over the past few years and is now VERY good and more than capable. I also understand that Malwarebytes is VERY complimentary with it.

I hope this helps.

Damun said:

is Microsoft Defender enough?

Yes.
See, for example, Test antivirus software for Windows 10 - December 2022 | AV-TEST
Look just to the right of the Defender entry and you'll see a very small arrow.

Click on that and you'll see detailed results that include the reason Defender fell down in the Performance category - it slows down file copying more than the others. This does not bother me because I always just get on with something else while file copying takes place.

Damun said:

I use Firefox as my main browser and i guess that MS Defender is "built in" to Edge,is it safe to use Firefox as is (only extension is AdBlock+) or should i consider switching to Edge?

Defender is built into Windows itself.
It runs whatever applications are open.
You can use whichever browser you want but, if you want to use Firefox to save login details, then Firefox must be set up with a Primary password.
Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords - Firefox Help
If you do not use a Primary password in Firefox then any saved logins can be read in an instant by anybody who infiltrates and has the relevant utility.
Edge doesn't need that precaution as it already keeps login passwords safe from intruders.


Denis

Damun said:

Apart from installing a Internet Security software suite, or other antivirus/anti malware software, is there something i should be thinking about doing? Preferably something that does not require installing other software.

Change DNS to something safer, like Quad9, dns0.eu or NextDNS. Blocking NRDs blocks majority of threats.

Our analysis shows that more than 70% of NRDs are “malicious” or “suspicious” or “not safe for work.” This ratio is almost 10 times higher than the ratio observed in Alexa’s top 10,000 domains. Also, most NRDs used for malicious purposes are very short-lived. They can be alive only for a few hours or a couple of days, sometimes even before any security vendor can detect it. This is why blocking NRDs is a necessary, preventive security measure for enterprises.

Newly Registered Domains: Malicious Abuse by Bad Actors

Damun said:

I have been using various Internet Securtiy software for the past 20 years....

Since I got the Windows 10 upgrade in 2015 I've only used Defender....

I use Firefox as my main browser and i guess that MS Defender is "built in" to Edge, is it safe to use Firefox as is (only extension is AdBlock+) or should i consider switching to Edge?.

.....I also mainly use Firefox. I do use Edge as well though, mainly for my banking sites.

No.
Yes, No.

Denis

Damun said:

In the link you provided they suggest URL filtering. How would i do that? Hosts file? Some addon for browser?

Change DNS, it is as simple as that. You could use an extension, but it is slower and it protects only the browser.