What would any of you recommend for anti-virus / malware protection software?

[Fla Dem]

I just got a new dell laptop and they're pushing McAfee. I've had McAfee and Norton before and of the 2 I liked Norton better. Open to suggestions for other software or comments on these 2. I don't keep any personal information on my laptop, I use an external hard drive, but am concerned when that is plugged into the laptop.

Thanks.

Also cross posted in Computer Support

[California_Republic]

1. Linux operating system

[TexasProgresive]

2. You might repost this in the Computer Help forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1095

[unblock]

3. windows defender is actually no longer all that bad.

malwarebytes is more comprehensive, though, imho.

[hlthe2b]

4. None better than paid version of malwarebytes on that score, imo, plus

I use kaspersky's full internet security package with it...


I don't personally like Norton or McAfee. Frankly, I would not stick with any commercial product that Microsoft had partnered with--promoted.

[COLGATE4]

5. Malware bytes anti-malware

Swear by it.

[hunter]

6. McAfee and Norton are both likely to cause trouble down the road.

They have much in common with the viruses they are allegedly protecting you from.

Microsoft's own security is greatly improved, but there are a couple of things you need to do with a brand new Windows machine, especially one that comes with a lot of crap pre-installed. You can find instructions for decrapifying Windows 10 elsewhere, but be careful, there's a lot of crap decrapifying advice out there. You don't want to trade bad crap for worse crap.

Personally, I won't touch any Microsoft or Apple product unless someone is paying me. My own desktops run Debian Linux and my most-used laptop is a Chromebook. I now recommended Chromebooks to anyone who uses their laptop mostly for web browsing, email, and simple word processing. Compared to Windows and Apple laptops, the battery life of a Chromebook is excellent. It's also got a few games I find amusing.

Traveling with expensive laptops stresses me out. I'm absent-minded often enough that I lose things or leave them in places where they are likely to be stolen. Losing a $150 laptop would be a lot less catastrophic to me than losing a $1,500 laptop. I haven't lost a laptop yet, but I have lost cameras. Backing up a Chromebook to "the cloud" and a high capacity usb stick is quick and easy.

[True Dough]

7. Another vote for Malwarebytes

And I recommend using Ad Block as well. There are too many ads with malicious script out there, not to mention that they are annoying. Some sites will prevent you from viewing their content if you have Ad Block enabled, so you either white-list them or move on to another site.