MS Defender

[Marauder2003]

Currently use Eset and MalwareBytes. Eset is up for renewal. Thinking of dropping it.
ChatGPT, Grok, Claude and Gemini all say it is enough if I practice good hygiene. Of course they are all probably trained on the same set of industry rags.I don’t do shady sites. I mainly visit the same set of sites. Very seldom go off the ranch.

What say the brain trust?

[Preston-CLB]

Defender is ok, but I prefer Bitdefender Anti-Virus +. It has caught lots of nasties over the several years I have been using it. I also use Malwarebytes Premium, and it has also caught lots of nefarious stuff. Both are well worth the money for peace of mind.

Note to all: If you are still using Win 10 and have not enrolled in the Security Updates extension, be sure to do so. Go here for more info and instructions.
-P

[Dan_Eastvale]

I have used integral MS Defender since inception. Never paid security software.
It’s constantly updated. Just basic computing. No security threat filled “adult sites” or “dark web”, et al activity.

[Reno-Kid]

Currently use Eset and MalwareBytes. Eset is up for renewal. Thinking of dropping it.
ChatGPT, Grok, Claude and Gemini all say it is enough if I practice good hygiene. Of course they are all probably trained on the same set of industry rags.I don’t do shady sites. I mainly visit the same set of sites. Very seldom go off the ranch.

What say the brain trust?

Use Linux as your daily non-business non-banking drive.
Lots of cheap laptops out there. Install Mint and your gtg.

[Marauder2003]

Use Linux as your daily non-business non-banking drive.
Lots of cheap laptops out there. Install Mint and your gtg.

Not an answer to the question.

[freedom-lover]

Note to all: If you are still using Win 10 and have not enrolled in the Security Updates extension, be sure to do so. Go here for more info and instructions.
-P

Doesn't that require some sort of account with something called 'Microsoft Store'? In which case they will know who you are. Don't want that!

[Preston-CLB]

Doesn't that require some sort of account with something called 'Microsoft Store'? In which case they will know who you are. Don't want that!

Here is what I found from the instructions in the link I provided:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your device meets the prerequisites, you’ll see a link to enroll in ESU.
2. Once you select Enroll now you’ll start the ESU enrollment. If you are signed into Windows with a local account, you will be prompted to sign into your Microsoft account. If you are already backing up your PC Settings, you will see a prompt to enroll your device.

All I can say is: Try to enroll. Honestly, having an MS account is not a big deal because the world already knows who you are, where you are, and what you had for breakfast. I have had an MS account for years and have never had an issue. If you want your Win 10 install to have the added security above and beyond your anti-virus I see no harm. Your choice, obviously.
-P