ChatterBank1 min ago
Is Windows Defender As Good As Norton?
10 Answers
My 2 month free Norton subscription has run out, and now have the option of using the built in Windows 8 Defender, or the Virgin Media Security from the ISP. I don't intend to get involved using a paid service which needs annual renewal as I've never needed one, so should I use Defender or Virgin to replace it?
Answers
First de-install Norton Anti-Virus (with Symantec's help if needed). Afaik Window Defender is not a "built-in", it is a downloadable package from Microsoft which is currently free. Once installed it is as good as Norton or McAfee or basic virus protection. Afaik the Virgin service is McAfee (a pay service). Make sure that you enable the Microsoft Internet...
01:14 Tue 02nd Apr 2013
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Virgin Media's security package used to be based on a Kaspersky product but I think I remember its now powered by Trend Micro. They are behind 'Highjack this' and 'Housecall' and are well respected. I think Microsoft Security Essentials is still the best of the free one's though but there are plenty to choose from.
Comodo security suite:
http:// www.com odo.com /home/i nternet -securi ty/free -intern et-secu rity.ph p
Avast:
http:// www.ava st.com/ en-us/i ndex
Avira:
http:// www.avi ra.com/ en/avir a-free- antivir us
AVG:
http:// free.av g.com/g b-en/ho mepage
Any of these would be better than Windows defender but personally I'd go with Microsofts offering.
http:// windows .micros oft.com /en-GB/ windows /securi ty-esse ntials- downloa d
As methyl mentioned Norton will need uninstalling first using their tool:
https:/ /suppor t.norto n.com/s p/en/uk /home/c urrent/ solutio ns/kb20 0807101 33834EN _EndUse rProfil e_en_us
Comodo security suite:
http://
Avast:
http://
Avira:
http://
AVG:
http://
Any of these would be better than Windows defender but personally I'd go with Microsofts offering.
http://
As methyl mentioned Norton will need uninstalling first using their tool:
https:/
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Talking about Malware... whichever option above you go with its also a good idea to supplement that choice with MalwareBytes and run a scan about once a month or so:
http:// www.mal warebyt es.org/
http://
MSE is now the former Windows Defender and is called Windows Defender and included with Windows 8?
Wow, I must keep up!
I thought Microsoft had incurred legal issues with including a full anti-virus package with their OS? Something about monopolising the market?
That was a while ago though. Oh well, learn something new everyday.
Wow, I must keep up!
I thought Microsoft had incurred legal issues with including a full anti-virus package with their OS? Something about monopolising the market?
That was a while ago though. Oh well, learn something new everyday.
I think as Windows Defender is so recommended and already on board I'll stick with it, I had Virgin Security for 10 years, and while it does its job it doesn't cover spyware so had Spybot in tandem, and the scans take all night to complete. It also slows down the system at times so although it's part of my package so is Defender so will give it a shot.