Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#1

Post by webstartupper » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 1:48 AM UTC

I've used Nortons, AVG and more recently Avast in the past. Each antivirus seems to work well for a year or two and then gets compromised.

Do you have an antivirus recommendation for a Windows machine that has worked well for a number of years?

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#2

Post by sadkuku » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 1:52 AM UTC

BitDEfender

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#3

Post by lxue » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 1:57 AM UTC

Use Mac OSX

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#4

Post by KNoureen » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 2:20 AM UTC

Try ESET Smart Security, they have a 30 days free trial period.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#5

Post by paulftw » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 3:50 AM UTC

After I stopped using Windows I've revisited my definition of "works well". Not trying to troll or bash Microsoft here and perhaps you have strong reasons to stay on it, but sometimes people try to treat symptom not the problem.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#6

Post by Maascamp » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 3:59 AM UTC

Just use Windows Defender. It's built in. You're already done.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#7

Post by webstartupper » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 4:26 AM UTC

Maascamp wrote: post #6

Just use Windows Defender. It's built in. You're already done.

I believe Windows Defender only protects you against malware. You need a separate anti-virus solution along with it.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#8

Post by andrewchambers » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 4:30 AM UTC

webstartupper wrote: post #7

Maascamp wrote: post #6

Just use Windows Defender. It's built in. You're already done.

I believe Windows Defender only protects you against malware. You need a separate anti-virus solution along with it.

That is wrong, they are the same thing.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#9

Post by andrewchambers » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 4:34 AM UTC

I only trust Windows Defender from Microsoft. 1 - They know the internals of their own system. 2 - They have strong interest in keeping your OS running well. 3 - it is free.

Re: Ask HN: Recommend a good antivirus for Windows

#10

Post by webstartupper » Fri, Jul 31, 2015, 5:30 AM UTC

andrewchambers wrote: post #8

webstartupper wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe Windows Defender only protects you against malware. You need a separate anti-virus solution along with it.

That is wrong, they are the same thing.

Interesting - Windows Defender is an antivirus product for Windows 8+. However, for Windows 7 and older, it is only an anti-malware product.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Defender