Anyone use 3rd party virus/internet security programs?


Imaging or backing up is the best weapon in your arsenal regardless of your A/V or malware aps.
Don't use Windows [Backup and restore Win7]though as it is not reliable.
  1. Paragon Hard Disk Manager. Hard Disk Manager is an excellent choice if you need to control your disk space and change it. ...
  2. R-Drive Image. R-Drive Image is a simple and enjoyable program. It provides fast and high-quality disk imaging. ...
  3. Acronis True Image. Acronis True Image is a popular program for creating disk images, disk cloning, with a broad functionality and user-friendly interface.
  4. Macrium Reflect. Macrium Reflect is an excellent choice if you need a good program for creating disk images, backing up data and cloning data.
  5. EaseUS Todo Backup. EaseUS Todo Backup is a product that handles the tasks reliably and quickly.
Some are trial and or free but limited.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS built by Micro center
    CPU
    Intel Core i9- 12900K Alder Lake 3.2 GHz LGA1700
    Motherboard
    Asus prime Z790-v WI FI Intel LGA1700 ATX
    Memory
    G-Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GEForce GTX1616 Super dual fan
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 500GB 860 EVO
    PSU
    Thermalake 500 Watt
    Case
    V 100ATX
    Antivirus
    Defender primary with MBAM free secondary
I've been using Bitdefender Internet Security since 2013, on W7, W10 and now on W11.
But like others have said... your best defense is good backups.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3323 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5002)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
KWEB said:
Along with Malwarebytes (not a real antivirus) I have used Emsisoft for a few years until they dumped their forum, couple weeks ago. I switched to Bitdefender which seems to be running ok. I have never used a freeware AV and don't plan to. I had Outpost until it sold to a Russian ISP many years ago.
Click to expand...
Again posts like this show how people base decisions on erroneous information. Malwarebytes is a full AV package for example and has been for several years.

It is funny how people think a paid package is better than a free package - the only real difference is you do not get nagged incessantly to upgrade.

There is one free package as good as any and it does not ever ask for upgrade to a paid version - Defender surprise surprise.

The only way paid packages get installed by vast majority of users is because they incentivise oem vendors to include their tools as part of an oem preinstalled OS package and they desperately hope the users (aka suckers) will continue to pay them once their "wonderful" free trial expires.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
I still have Malwarebytes installed on my main machine, but that is mainly because I got a lifetime license back when that was still possible. From what I have heard though, MS Defender is quite adequate for the job and that's all I use on my other, non-conforming laptops.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro (24H2 RP)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AN515-54
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9300H CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, Intel UHD 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer CB272D
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB and 1T SSD
    Keyboard
    Logitech K375S
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    250MB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro (Insider Dev Channel, unsupported)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6410
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 M620 CPU @ 2.67GHz (non-compliant)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA NVS 3100M
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Like
Reactions: WAI
Indeed. Only used Defender. Yes I used AVAST!, AVG and others in the past but now they have added so much other nonsense crap that most will never use!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    WiN11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom 775 System
    CPU
    Xeon E5450 3.0GHZ (OC 3.6GHZ)
    Motherboard
    ASUS PQ5-EM
    Memory
    8GB (2GBX4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K2200 4GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1TB|750GB USB, 3 SSDs 2 240GB 1 128GB, 750GB HDD
    PSU
    650WATT Rosewill
    Case
    Rosewill with side Window
    Cooling
    5 Fans and a big HSK for cpu
    Keyboard
    Rosewill RGB
    Mouse
    Rosewill RGB
    Internet Speed
    AT&T 150MB DL\UP
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    None
    Other Info
    I'm lucky to even be here after 6yrs from my car accident
  • Operating System
    WiN10 LTSC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hp 8460p
    CPU
    i7 2670QM 2.20GHZ
    Motherboard
    Hp 161C
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DUAL Channel
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000
    Sound Card
    Intel high Def (basically onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    OS 128GB l Storage (caddy) 320GB
    PSU
    AC (IDK the watts)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    A USB 3.0 in the Express Card Slot
When I got MBAM, free trial, I deactivated it right away so Defender is real protection. MBAM is used as a stand alone scanner as malware backup.
Those two with Macrium free serves me well. I put my marbles in the image more than the preventatives.
I do not like to sound discriminatory. even by implication. but if you research some of these programs for A/V they are in countries the U.S.A. is at odds with. I do not know if that is a valid allusion but better safe than sorry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS built by Micro center
    CPU
    Intel Core i9- 12900K Alder Lake 3.2 GHz LGA1700
    Motherboard
    Asus prime Z790-v WI FI Intel LGA1700 ATX
    Memory
    G-Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GEForce GTX1616 Super dual fan
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 500GB 860 EVO
    PSU
    Thermalake 500 Watt
    Case
    V 100ATX
    Antivirus
    Defender primary with MBAM free secondary
Click on "My Computer" for what I use.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 9640
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 7467 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16.3 inch 4K+ OLED Infinity Edge Touch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    960 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft PowerToys
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    BitLocker
    Copilot
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    i5 1035G4
    Memory
    8 GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    960 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    BitLocker
    Copilot
My thought about any Antivirus/Malware/Adware/etc etc... is along with every software including Defender becoming incessantly heavy
in their aim to exterminate spammers/scammers and hackers etc using a full on heavy duty software and say Microsoft Edge. Wow, It is almost damn near impossible to search the web or download things blah blah. I recently went from Edge back to Firefox(having not used firefox in about 5 years) cause man I couldnt do rubbish. Every website was blocked and Edge started doing this..I would try to download an Ebook off a website, It just turned my download into a html file instead. Sick of setting the millions of settings just to be able to do what I wanna do. And the one thing that really bothers me is most antivirus software in order to whitelist or make exceptions for anything its 10 settings deep. Rubbish. So with Firefox tweaked and I have been using Avast, and My browsing and downloading has become better. There is WAY to much packed into a what should be simple Antivirus nowadays. I know software development and am a techie at heart but even for me its just becoming way to much.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2(OS Build 22631.4890)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    AMD
    CPU
    12-Core AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 4950 MHz (49.5 x 100)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master
    Memory
    4 - G Skill Trident Z Neo F4-3600C16-16GTZNC
    Graphics Card(s)
    PCI Express 4.0 x16: PowerColor RX 6800
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220 @ AMD K19.2 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 - 27 inch Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SSD - 2 TB each
    1 SSD - 4TB
    1 HDD - 2TB
    Keyboard
    logitech
    Mouse
    logitech
    Internet Speed
    1 GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Endpoint Security
Webroot is light on resources and has warned me off some dodgy websites. It can roll back malicious actions such as ransomware. Tech support is superb. I shop around for keycodes at renewal time and normally cover 5 PCs for about £20 or less per year.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2894
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
imanlien2020 said:
My thought about any Antivirus/Malware/Adware/etc etc... is along with every software including Defender becoming incessantly heavy
in their aim to exterminate spammers/scammers and hackers etc using a full on heavy duty software and say Microsoft Edge. Wow, It is almost damn near impossible to search the web or download things blah blah. I recently went from Edge back to Firefox(having not used firefox in about 5 years) cause man I couldnt do rubbish. Every website was blocked and Edge started doing this..I would try to download an Ebook off a website, It just turned my download into a html file instead. Sick of setting the millions of settings just to be able to do what I wanna do. And the one thing that really bothers me is most antivirus software in order to whitelist or make exceptions for anything its 10 settings deep. Rubbish. So with Firefox tweaked and I have been using Avast, and My browsing and downloading has become better. There is WAY to much packed into a what should be simple Antivirus nowadays. I know software development and am a techie at heart but even for me its just becoming way to much.
Click to expand...
I use Defender and Edge with no problems. The sites we visit are apparently quite different.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 9640
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 7467 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16.3 inch 4K+ OLED Infinity Edge Touch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    960 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft PowerToys
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    BitLocker
    Copilot
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    i5 1035G4
    Memory
    8 GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    960 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    BitLocker
    Copilot
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