Is a 3rd Party AntiVirus Software really necessary?

dbsoccer · 17 Mar 2024

I have used Norton for years. Each year it automatically updates and I get a charge on my credit card. Each year it seems the amount charged is double what it was the year before. So my question, and I know this is not new or unique, is with all the built-in features of Windows 10 do I need the Norton or a Norton-ish software package? We use iPhones and we have an iPad tablet. I recently installed Netgear's Orbi Mesh Network. The network is password protected and I have a guest login for visitors. I use an HP Envy PC with Windows 10. I have no need for Parental Control options.

It seems between Norton, Windows 10 and the Orbi SW there is redundancy. I don't like paying for something that is not adding anything new.

Thanks for any insight or opinions.

dalchina · 17 Mar 2024

Many threads on such discussions - feel free to search...
For most users Defender is fine.
If Defender gets in the way (there are some irritating aspects) then a 3rd party AV (which largely disables it) may be better for you.

Bear in mind Defender also provides a firewall and you can configure its rules.

E.g.
Windows Defender - is it THAT good?

Do we really need anti-virus/anti-malware software? e.g. BitDefender?

Windows Defender or 3rd party?
etc

Try3 · 17 Mar 2024

No.

Denis

K7MEM · 17 Mar 2024

I have a W10 desktop and a W11 laptop. I only use the built in Windows Anti-Virus. The updates for the Anti-Virus are downloaded and installed every single day. I have never had any issues. It usually happens in the background and I never actually see the download and install unless I go look in Settings.

Although, my wife's (RIP) email account use to get regular spam telling me that Norton is accessing my bank account and charging me for it. But the email always winds up in the spam folder and is easy to spot. They never actually charge my account. I get a similar email from the geek squad. Again, just spam. I haven't seen one of these email in a long time.

Carmano · 18 Mar 2024

I know I'm in the minority here, but I say "Yes." I like ESET's NOD32 Anti-Virus (just the stand-alone AV program - not their Security Suite).

Bastet · 18 Mar 2024

I no longer believe paid antivirus software is worth the cost. I too used Norton for many years until I purchased Windows 10 & thought I’d give Defender a go. I also have Malwarebytes as an on demand scanner but other than pups/pums it hasn’t found anything.
Providing you’re not visiting or downloading from dodgy sites then Defender is enough.

Norton’s renewal cost is astronomical. I just purchased a new version every year as it was so much cheaper.

Try3 · 18 Mar 2024

Carmano said:

I know I'm in the minority here, but I say "Yes." I like ESET's NOD32 Anti-Virus (just the stand-alone AV program - not their Security Suite).

There's nothing wrong with having a minority opinion but do note that test sites such as www.av-test.org rate the built-in Defender as highly as third-party security utilities and that, to my mind, renders third-party utilities unnecessary unless a user has specific additional requirements that only a particular utility provides.

Is a 3rd Party AntiVirus Software really necessary?-20231200-av-test-results.png

If you want to see more details, click on the small > to the right of each line.

All the best,
Denis

dbsoccer · 18 Mar 2024

Thanks to all for the replies and insight. I've dropped Norton for now and I'll jump into understanding and configuring Defender. A bit to unpack and understand. I also need to better understand my router and modem to learn what security features they provide as well. And I'll keep Malwarebytes at the ready for the occasional scan.

Try3 · 18 Mar 2024

Good decision.

Denis

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Carmano · 19 Mar 2024

Try3 said:

There's nothing wrong with having a minority opinion but do note that the question was whether or not they were necessary, not whether or not anybody liked them.

I did answer the question in my first sentence by saying "Yes."