Do you use : No Antivirus , FREE Antivirus , or PAID Antivirus and why?

[fireheart69]

I've only ever used free ones because it just didn't make sense to pay for an antivirus, at least yet. I exercise caution by not clicking anything and everything I find on the net. So far I've had good experience with Bit Defender (nil resource impact on my 5 year old laptop running Win 8) and Malwarebytes Free.

I tried Malwarebytes' one month premium trial and must say that it makes more sense to get the paid version of Malwarebytes because it scans for malware in real time which can be serious if not detected in time. If a big virus is going to hit my computer then I really doubt if any of the paid antivirus is going to save me. For the other ones even free AV should suffice.

However, I've just joined this forum to get help with my first pc build so I will definitely buy Malwarebytes but will continue to run Bit Defender free.

 

[jscc]

I m using licensed Kaspersky on my laptop, no problems so far

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I m using licensed Kaspersky on my laptop, no problems so far

Very good choice , high detection rates!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Bitdefender has been my new go to lately.

 

[winnieharlow88]

Free antivirus + Windows firewall should be enough. But if you want paid antivirus then I would recommend ESET Internet Security. Good protection, lightweight and there is no problems at all.

 

[simen.jorissen]

I use bulldog, a paid one, my parents had a subscription for multiple computers, so I could just use it, if that wasn't the case I would've opted for a free one tho. But I wouldn't recommend going in without antivirus, especially not in older versions of Windows

 

[memeilicious]

I only use free antivirus, but because my system is so beefy, I have a few, and it still won't weigh down the system. I use Bitdefender as Real-Time Protection, Malwarebytes as my Scanner, and Comodo as my Firewall. I also use Windows Defender Browser Protection for Chrome. I love everyone of them. They are all free as well. I would recommend every one of these respectively.

- Memeilicious

 

[lega4]

Disclaimer: I'm with computer since pre-school times 20 years so far. Software Engineer currently

TL;DR: no antivirus and happy with it.

I don't use any antivirus software (except build-in Windows 10 one) for 5+ years. I went thru using Kaspersky AV, Kaspersky IS, Outpost Firewall, Nod32. As the time was going, I never saw it doing anything useful, because I don't click on random links, I don't visit untrusted porn websites, I don't click on huge buttons "press me". I DO, however, use some re-packed games, cracks, keygens and activators (which I download from trusted websites though, not via random google link "download keygen without registration sms"). And I do check my autostart list, processes list from time to time to make sure I don't have any bloatware.
So for me I saw anti-viruses blocking software I use and 5 years ago it was somehow simple to say "hey man, stop, this is not a suspicious malware, whitelist it\ignore\do whatever but let me use it". Nowadays it's becoming quite hard to find button "disable\ignore" in any AV software.

Having said that, I decided to go without any AV back it the days. And I've pretty satisfied with it so far. My system is not bloated with useless scans and CPU-eating checks of the files I trust.

From the other side, I was cleaning up several times PCs of my mother and brother which were completely bloated with malware. And YES, they had some AV installed! But AV won't help against stubborn user clicking on random links all the time! If you want to get your PC infected, you eventually will, regardless of amount of "protection SW" installed on your PC.

 

[James_397]

Over 20 years on my computer and no viruses. I use Windows Defender - period. I see no need for third-party software in this regard.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Over 35+ years on my Computer Setups and no viruses...Bitdefender is my choice. Switched to Linux , sick of windows updates rendering my computers useless. Windows 10 = Trackware!

 

[James_397]

To each his own. If you're happy with BD fine. I'm happy with WD. The thing is, it shouldn't be an obsession. As long as one uses common sense (and no, I'm not going into the ins and outs of common sense... we all get what that entails), then WD should be fine and so it has proven with me. I like Windows 10 and I've had no issues so why concern myself. I do, however, find it amusing when some people jump from one AV to another to another and yet they have had no serious malware issues with any of their programs. It shows what marketing hype can do along with a healthy dose of paranoia.

 

[TYPICALHUMAN]

I use BitDefender Antivirus plus (paid). Nowadays, antiviruses have minimal impact on the performance. You probably won't notice any slowdowns. There is no reason not to install an antivirus software for 24/7 protection on your computer. Free products usually contain ads,lack of technical support and offers inferior protection. If you have Windows 10, stay with built-in windows defender as it's on the comparable level as other free antiviruses.

 

[cyberfreak122]

Always was and will be a Kaspersky user.

 

[christopher.john.sr]

Ya know, some guys hate going to the doctor because it seems like their fine and healthy right up until they get to the doctor, who then informs him of all that's wrong with him, and that he needs to keep coming back.

It's not to say that we don't need regular checkups, but sometimes profit motivates more than idealism.

I've been on all kinds of porn sites, downloaded all kinds of free software, and torrents (except Limewire, never jumped on that wagon). The only time I ever get hung up is when I'm not paying attention to what I'm clicking on (like downloading legitimate software, but the installer for some reason always includes Chromium browser with a search engine reset to Yahoo instead of Google). Or if I foolishly open a download that I did not initiate.

My mom's computer has had viruses, and she's not going anywhere except to Amazon, Youtube, and AOL.

My son's computer has had viruses, but that's because he's a fool and thinks everything on the internet actually does what it says it does. He's yet to understand what clickbait is (if they offer Fortnite bucks, he's downloading).

I did purchase a one year subscription to Malwarebytes, then I let the subscription lapse just to see what would happen. With antivirus, I had all kinds of 'potentially unwanted programs', spyware, and trojans. The program was constantly quarantining and removing threats. Since I let the subscription lapse, I haven't had anything threaten my computer, and I don't have any loss of resources.

But maybe I'm just lucky that way.

 

[king47915]

I'm using free Avast version. But I'm starting to doubt now is it good.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I would rank Bitdefender FREE at the top. Avira has a FULL FREE Security Suite that is decent.

 

[zakic.lina]

What is the difference between free and paid Antivirus?
Do you think the paid antivirus is better and why?
Thanks!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

https/www.tomsguide.com/us/antivirus-software-pay-or-free,news-18570.html
Depends on your needs ^

 

[aafusc2988]

Norton so far, but really considering removing it and just going with Windows Defender. Have noticed that Norton keeps my displaying from turning off after the specified time I have set and it's really annoying. I have found I have to run Live Update manually and it typically installs new updates. The times I have ran Live Update and then let the PC sit the display shuts off. When the display has not shut off is because there was a Live Update I needed to get, MANUALLY. I don't get it... but it's enough to make me want to remove it.

I had Symantec Endpoint Protection (Business grade) from a friend but it doesn't want to work on Windows 10, so I had to go with a new option. I know Norton is a Symantec product but the business level AV was WAY better, and I never even noticed it. I guess I don't really notice Norton aside from it keeping my display from cutting off. Have PC sleep NEVER, and display to cut off after 15 minutes.

 

[R_1]

windows defender for daily and once a month I loose the ESET offline scanner on my system. working well for me.