For all the people who believe aditional Antivirus software, is not necessary..


Probably just me, but I have always thought since the beginning, the antivirus companies, are the ones that create the viruses. I believe the best antivirus, is setting on top of your shoulders.
Very early in my Computing history, I was given the two main antivirus programs to review. I had a system set up that was Squeaky clean. Guess what! When I ran both programs I got: " Ohh looky what I found!" Sadly, I had to give the squeaky clean computer back. But I got to keep them both, the two faulty antivirus programs, for myself. ha ha ha point
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy TE01-1xxx
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
    Motherboard
    16.0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1463MHz (21-21-21-47)
    Memory
    16384 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor 1 - Acer 27" Monitor 2 - Acer 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ-512G-1006 (SSD)
    Seagate ST1000DM003-1SB102
    Seagate BUP Slim SCSI Disk Device (SSD)
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's all Folks!
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 (10th gen) 10700
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 27" & Samsung 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x
    Hard Drives
    SSD (512 GB)
    HDD (1 TB)
    Seagate
    PSU
    Intel i7 10th Generation
    Case
    HP
    Cooling
    HP/Intel?
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Internet Speed
    50 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox 90.2
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Headphone/Microphone Combo
    SuperSpeed USB Type-A (4 on front)
    HP 3-in-One Card Readr
    SuperSpeed USB Type-C
    DVD Writer
I've by and large not paid close attention to this thread. I haven't read every post but here are some thoughts/observations.

1. I have Bitdefender Total Security on both my computers because it has more features than Windows Defender.
2. Bitdefender Total Security requires more configuration than Windows Defender. There are a number of settings I had to change.
3. Going by independent reviews of consumer AV software Windows Defender performs quite well and is more than an acceptable choice.

Of the Defender family I do use the Microsoft Defender version for business which is a very good product. I use it because I have a Microsoft 365 for Business subscription and need Exchange Online to run my custom email system and want to make sure it is well protected. This version of Defender is also inexpensive.

Microsoft 365 Defender.webp

Finally, I believe in horses for courses, meaning that everyone's needs are different whether it is AV tools, backup software, which version of Windows they use.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Z790 Creator WiFi - Bios 2703
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 64gb 5600MT/s DDR5 Dual Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X 24GB
    Sound Card
    External DAC - Headphone Amplifier: Cambridge Audio DACMagic200M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Panasonic MX950 Mini LED 55" TV 120hz
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160 120hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 2TB (OS)
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB (Files)
    Lexar NZ790 4TB
    LaCie d2 Professional 6TB external - USB 3.1
    Seagate One Touch 18TB external HD - USB 3.0
    PSU
    Corsair RM1200x Shift
    Case
    Corsair RGB Smart Case 5000x (white)
    Cooling
    Corsair iCue H150i Elite Capellix XT
    Keyboard
    Logitech K860
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Ergo Trackball
    Internet Speed
    Fibre 900/500 Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    AMD Radeon Software & Drivers 24.12.1
    AOMEI Backupper Pro
    Dashlane password manager
    Logitech Brio 4K Webcam
    Orico 10-port powered USB 3.0 hub
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2894
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivobook X1605VA
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i9-13900H
    Motherboard
    Asus X1605VA bios 309
    Memory
    32GB DDR4-3200 Dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    *Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics G7 (96EU) 32.0.101.6078
    Sound Card
    Realtek | Intel SST Bluetooth & USB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16.0-inch, WUXGA 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS-level Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 60hz
    Hard Drives
    512GB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 3.0 SSD
    Other Info
    720p Webcam
even local Police have to make a good case and get a court order

I found a pizza box with a name and number in a pile of trash dumped on my property and the cop said he'd get in trouble for running a name without a DOB. My retired cop neighbor said to call the chief and ask why they are not investigating a crime. In the end I had to handle it myself: text the guy and tell him I know who he is and where he lives so stop dumping trash on my property. Luckily that was enough to scare him.

So, on one hand the police could not get the info. On the other, it was easy for me to find his address and all his relatives' phone numbers and addresses, etc, etc online. There is no such thing as privacy unless you were raised in jungle and essentially do not exist. My friend's wife ordered pizza delivered to my house then I started receiving junk mail addressed to her. Probably the best one can do is to have pizzas delivered to so many places that no one has any idea where one lives lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-14900K
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite X WIFI7
    Memory
    Corsair 128GB (4x32GB) DDR5 5600MT/S CL40 Memory Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    Onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    43 inch 4k
    Screen Resolution
    2k (2560 x 1440)
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink 7300 mb/s
    PSU
    MEG Ai1300P PCIE 5 & ATX 3.0 PSU 1300 watts
    Case
    Phanteks (PH-ES614PTG_BK) Enthoo Pro ATX , Tempered Glass, Integrated RGB Lighting
    Cooling
    ENERMAX LIQMAXFLO 360mm A-RGB AIO CPU Liquid Cooler
    Keyboard
    Wireless logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless logitech
This just demonstrates time and again, that security of your computer, just like any kind of security overall, depends on your resolve to follow the rules of certain "security hygiene". Or "informational hygiene", if you will. If you don't, it won't matter whether you have an extra AV on your computer.

Here we have a typical "coolstory" from "the register" (an outfit associated with the UK regime and ties in EU), peddling some rather stale (probably auto-generated or even template-generated) run-of-the-mill propaganda story involving "FBI" (an outfit associated with the US regime) and some "hackers from China", which "install viruses on people's computers". And all that well after the "coolstories" about Chinese spywarte in Supermicro motherboards and many others...

If you are the kind of kitty to slurp this kind of [sour] milk, even 100 layers of AV on your computer will not protect you from anything. Security of your computer begins in your head. If it doesn't begin there, there's no point in even trying to search for the beginning everywhere else. An extra AV is not a replacement for that.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5930K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA X99 Micro
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
I disagree. A good anti-malware can, and I emphasisze can, protect you even if you visit dodgy websites. Unless you override all the warnings.
 

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
This just demonstrates time and again, that security of your computer, just like any kind of security overall, depends on your resolve to follow the rules of certain "security hygiene". Or "informational hygiene", if you will. If you don't, it won't matter whether you have an extra AV on your computer.
True, it is virtually impossible to get infected on 11, unless you want to.

1. Do not click on CLICK links in email and social media.
2. Do not open attachments from unknown emails.

This alone will prevent 99% malware.

Sure there are other mitigations, like DNS, but this alone will do. Malware does not magically infect your computer, YOU DO.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (07/24)
    Motherboard
    ASROCK B650M-HDV/M.2 3.15 (07/24)
    Memory
    2x32GB Kingston FURY DDR5 5600 MHz CL36 @4800 CL40 (07/24)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASROCK Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8G @60FPS (08/24)
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus (05/24)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Philips 24M1N3200ZS/00 (05/24)
    Screen Resolution
    1920×1080@165Hz via DP1.4
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000 NVMe 2TB (05/24)
    ADATA XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro 512GB (07/19)
    PSU
    Seasonic Core GM 550 Gold (04/24)
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Mini with 3x Noctua NF-P14s/12@555rpm (04/24)
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12S with Noctua NF-P12 (04/24)
    Keyboard
    HP Pavilion Wired Keyboard 300 (07/24) + Rabalux 76017 Parker (01/24)
    Mouse
    Logitech M330 Silent Plus (04/23)
    Internet Speed
    500/100 Mbps via RouterOS (05/21) & TCP Optimizer
    Browser
    Edge & Brave for YouTube & LibreWolf for FB
    Antivirus
    NextDNS
    Other Info
    Backup: Hasleo Backup Suite (PreOS)
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170 (09/10)
    Phone: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 7 (02/24)
    Chair: Huzaro Force 4.4 Grey Mesh (05/24)
    Notifier: Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Milanese (10/24)
    2nd Monitor: AOC G2460VQ6 @75Hz (02/19)
Did you know that freeware packages don't have access to databases or update for 30 days, so if a 0day hits, people with quality PAID protection get immediate protection but the tightwads could be 30 days behind...
NOT GOOD!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LG
    CPU
    i7 Ultra
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Intel Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop 17" & TB4 Dell 27" QHD Ultrasharp w/integral TB4 hub
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD, 5 external WDs
    Mouse
    Logitech Master MX 3S
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium Suite
Did you know that freeware packages don't have access to databases or update for 30 days, so if a 0day hits, people with quality PAID protection get immediate protection but the tightwads could be 30 days behind...
NOT GOOD!
I think this is true of many freeware packages but I don't believe Kaspersky does this. It's all the same data base with them and they stay as current as possible. Of course, the freeware is pretty bare bones and eventually you'll be required to pay. I don't mind paying for efficient software if it is reasonably priced. I don't advise using multiple virus scanners on the same OS. This can result in serious issues. Instead, I run them on different operating systems on the same PC and generally what one does not catch the other will when you run a full system scan. Running a full system scan doesn't just scan the drive you are logged into if you have it configured correctly. It scans all your drives that you have on your PC, including drives sleeping in the background. I also don't buy the rhetoric that all 0 day viruses can be intercepted by software. That's a myth. With good software many can but it isn't called a 0 day virus for nothing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11, WIN 10, WIN 8.1, WIN 7 U, WIN 7 PRO, WIN 7 HOME (32 Bit), LINUX MINT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY, ASUS, and DELL
    CPU
    Intel i7 6900K (octocore) / AMD 3800X (8 core)
    Motherboard
    ASUS X99E-WS USB 3.1
    Memory
    128 GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR PLATINUM (B DIE)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA 1070
    Sound Card
    Crystal Sound (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    single Samsung 30" 4K and 8" aux monitor
    Screen Resolution
    4K and something equally attrocious
    Hard Drives
    A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W

    Ports X, Y, and Z are reserved for USB access and removable drives.

    Drive types consist of the following: Various mechanical hard drives bearing the brand names, Seagate, Toshiba, and Western Digital. Various NVMe drives bearing the brand names Kingston, Intel, Silicon Power, Crucial, Western Digital, and Team Group. Various SATA SSDs bearing various different brand names.

    RAID arrays included:

    LSI RAID 10 (WD Velociraptors) 1115.72 GB
    LSI RAID 10 (WD SSDS) 463.80 GB

    INTEL RAID 0 (KINGSTON HYPER X) System 447.14 GB
    INTEL RAID 1 TOSHIBA ENTERPRIZE class Data 2794.52 GB
    INTEL RAID 1 SEAGATE HYBRID 931.51 GB
    PSU
    SEVERAL. I prefer my Corsair Platinum HX1000i but I also like EVGA power supplies
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (among others)
    Cooling
    Noctua is my favorite and I use it in my main. I also own various other coolers. Not a fan of liquid cooling.
    Keyboard
    all kinds.
    Mouse
    all kinds
    Internet Speed
    360 mbps - 1 gbps (depending)
    Browser
    FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    KASPERSKY (no apologies)
    Other Info
    I own too many laptops: A Dell touch screen with Windows 11 and 6 others (not counting the other four laptops I bought for this household.) Being a PC builder I own many desktop PCs as well. I am a father of five providing PCs, laptops, and tablets for all my family, most of which I have modified, rebuilt, or simply built from scratch. I do not own a cell phone, never have, never will.
Before founding Kaspersky Lab in Moscow, Eugene Kaspersky worked as a software engineer for the Soviet military intelligence service. Kaspersky software is banned for use in the United States.
 

My Computer

System One

  • 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
Did you know that freeware packages don't have access to databases or update for 30 days, so if a 0day hits, people with quality PAID protection get immediate protection but the tightwads could be 30 days behind...
NOT GOOD!
Is there a link with more info ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11 Ver 24H2 26100.2033
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256gb
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Did you know that freeware packages don't have access to databases or update for 30 days, so if a 0day hits, people with quality PAID protection get immediate protection but the tightwads could be 30 days behind...
NOT GOOD!

You don't seem to have the slightest clue of what - zero-day - actually means. :facepalm:

And all it took was a simple google search:


"Zero-Day" Definition

The term "Zero-Day" is used when security teams are unaware of their software vulnerability, and they’ve had “0” days to work on a security patch or an update to fix the issue. “Zero-Day” is commonly associated with the terms Vulnerability, Exploit, and Threat. It is important to understand the difference:

  • A Zero-Day Vulnerability is an unknown security vulnerability or software flaw that a threat actor can target with malicious code.
  • A Zero-Day Exploit is the technique or tactic a malicious actor uses to leverage the vulnerability to attack a system.
  • A Zero-Day Attack occurs when a hacker releases malware to exploit the software vulnerability before the software developer has patched the flaw.

And here's some examples - where even premium enterprise protection wasn't enough:

Zero-Day Examples

Below are just a few known vulnerabilities that were discovered over the past couple of years:


Kaseya Attack​

On Friday, July 2, REvil ransomware operators managed to compromise Kaseya VSA software, used to monitor and manage Kaseya customer’s infrastructure. REvil ransomware operators used zero-day vulnerabilities to deliver a malicious update, compromising fewer than 60 Kaseya customers and 1,500 downstream companies, according to Kaseya’s public statement. Read On>

SonicWall VPN Vulnerability​

On Feb. 4, 2021, SonicWall’s Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) announced a new zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2021-20016, that affects its SMA (Secure Mobile Access) devices. Within the documentation, SonicWall stated this new vulnerability affects the SMA 100 series product, and updates are required for versions running 10.x firmware. SonicWall did not state if or how this newest exploit affects any older SRA VPN devices still in production environments. Read more>

MSRPC Printer Spooler Relay (CVE-2021-1678)​

On Patch Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Microsoft released a patch for CVE-2021-1678, an important vulnerability discovered by CrowdStrike® researchers. This vulnerability allows an attacker to relay NTLM authentication sessions to an attacked machine, and use a printer spooler MSRPC interface to remotely execute code on the attacked machine.

Zerologon​

On August 11, 2020 Microsoft released a security update including a patch for a critical vulnerability in the NETLOGON protocol (CVE-2020-1472) discovered by Secura researchers. Since no initial technical details were published, the CVE in the security update failed to receive much attention, even though it received a maximum CVSS score of 10.

This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to a domain controller, to establish a vulnerable Netlogon session and eventually gain domain administrator privileges. The vulnerability is especially severe since the only requirement for a successful exploit is the ability to establish a connection with a domain controller.

Read our Zerologon Technical Analysis

NTLM Vulnerability​

On June 2019 Patch Tuesday, Microsoft released patches for CVE-2019-1040 and CVE-2019-1019, two vulnerabilities discovered by Preempt (now CrowdStrike) researchers. The critical vulnerabilities consist of three logical flaws in NTLM (Microsoft’s proprietary authentication protocol). Preempt researchers were able to bypass all major NTLM protection mechanisms.

These vulnerabilities allow attackers to remotely execute malicious code on any Windows machine or authenticate to any HTTP server that supports Windows Integrated Authentication (WIA) such as Exchange or ADFS. All Windows versions which did not apply this patch are vulnerable.

Learn more about how this vulnerability was discovered

Stuxnet​

One of the most well-known zero-day attacks is Stuxnet, the worm believed to be responsible for causing considerable damage to Iran’s nuclear program. This worm exploited four different zero-day vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Windows operating system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 SP 16 (or Windows 11 SP 2 or Sun Valley 2)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel & AMD
    Memory
    SO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-2666 (2 x 8 GB) 1329MHz (19-19-19-43)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
    Sound Card
    Onbord Realtek ALC1220
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung PM981 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB / 1x Seagate Expansion ST1000LM035 1TB
Did you know that freeware packages don't have access to databases or update for 30 days, so if a 0day hits, people with quality PAID protection get immediate protection but the tightwads could be 30 days behind...
NOT GOOD!
This is totally untrue. Name one major AV (free) that does not update every day.
 

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

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