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[Closed] Microsoft Defender - is it enough?

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New laptop has arrived and I'm just setting it up...it's been a while since the last time and my first W10 computer. From following the various laptop threads on here, am I right in thinking Defender is sufficient virus/malware protection these days?


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 1:03 pm
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Yes.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 1:08 pm
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Yes.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 1:53 pm
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And additionaly, if it's got a trial version of any other AV/firewall sof****e on it, uninstall it ASAP as they can interfere with each other.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 2:16 pm
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Defender is perfectly fine in the majority of use cases and has been for years.

The vast majority of "virus" infections these days - well over 95% - are self-inflicted. We're almost to a point where if you can manage not click on stupid emails and stay off pr0n sites then you don't really need AV.

uninstall it ASAP as they can interfere with each other.

The chances of it interfering is minimal.

The chances of it being shit, however, is very high indeed.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 3:14 pm
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No.
If you behave like a wrong 'un and click without care on dodgy emails or websites.

Yes.
If you're a reasonably cautious and use common sense while on interwebs.

This advice applies to all anti virus type products.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 3:56 pm
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The chances of it being shit, however, is very high indeed.

That's the IT expert view right there.

I'm no expert but it certainly matches my user experience 😁

I've only run Defender for a long time now and as far as I'm aware no disasters yet. 😬


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 4:08 pm
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stay off pr0n sites

That's impossible


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 4:38 pm
 DezB
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the IT expert view

Says "stay off pr0n sites"

Doesn't sound like an expert view to me.. Hopefully he was joking.


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 5:39 pm
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You can get free versions of reputable AV software - that's what I'd put on if I were setting up a relative's PC.

I used to work in the field so I'm naturally cautious.
I'd say the first thing is to sort out a proper backup arrangement. If you're not going to shell out for AV with an anti-ransomware feature then do at least have that set up!


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 5:43 pm
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Cheers all


 
Posted : 27/03/2021 7:54 pm
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Doesn’t sound like an expert view to me.. Hopefully he was joking.

If you have to use grot sites / torrents / other questionable destinations, use a VM / Windows Sandbox / a sacrificial machine. I'm not condemning 'specialist' Internet activity #NoKinkShaming. However if you do it on your primary machine then you're a clownshoe and deserve all you get.

Part of my job involves dealing with live malware. I have a dedicated, airgapped laptop to do this on. If I screw up and trigger something, nay bother, I'll just burn the box and rebuild it. I have the opposite problem here, getting Defender to back off and stop quarantining shit.


 
Posted : 28/03/2021 12:05 am
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questionable destinations

Whats questionable about factual informative sites like pornhub?


 
Posted : 28/03/2021 9:06 am
 DezB
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aYeah, but that’s like saying never download any music. There are safe sites, legitimate sites where you can do this, just like there are safe porn sites where you can get yer rocks off.


 
Posted : 28/03/2021 5:17 pm

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