Anti Virus

[elliemay1]

Do you think it is necessary to have an anti virus programme e.g Bullguard on a laptop? I have a HP laptop and was told that it has enough inbuilt security without anything further.

[fender62]

did it come with antivirus software already installed on it ? it would show in the bottom right taskbar, or look in programs you have installed, windows defender is a program already installed on windows
but its not really enough in my opinion.

[Old_Geezer]

Your computer should always have some form of good AV regardless what type the computer is.

[derek-33]

if its got widows 10 the the inbuilt security system is very adequate for normal use as opposed to business use, (and it will update itself)

[Buenchico]

Some people regard Windows Defender (which comes built into Windows) as perfectly adequate, whereas others have their doubts. (Things weren't helped by a statement from a senior Microsoft executive, who suggested that it should be regarded only as a first line of defence, thereby suggesting that something more is really necessary).

From reading countless relevant posts on AB, across more than a decade, it appears to me that the majority of AB members either stick with Windows Defender or use the free versions of AVG, Avast, Avira, Kaspersky, etc. (I use Avast: https://www.avast.com/en-gb/lp-ppc-hp ).

However, even if you're paying megabucks for a full commercial security suite, I'd still advise having a standalone anti-malware program on your laptop, either free or paid-for (such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or Spybot Search & Destroy). Antivirus programs, or even full security suites, can often let malware through. At the very least I'd recommend bookmarking AdwCleaner, which provides a handy little program that doesn't need to be installed. (You just run it directly from the downloaded file). That means that malware can't disable it by making registry changes (as it can with other anti-malware programs):
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

[elliemay1]

Thank you all for your answers. I'll have a look at what you've all suggested. I have BullGuard which is up for renewal now and I just wondered if I really needed it. Didn't see the last post so I wonder why it was removed. Hope it wasn't rude!

[elliemay1]

P.S It is Windows 10 and I notice that it keeps updating itself

[fender62]

as Buenchico, says..myself i use eset internet security, but i also run adwcleaner from time to time, bit like a rear guard action, there are so many spoof fake websites that can inject spyware on your computer sometimes you cannot tell, then you get redirects to pages you do not want to go to, or you cannot use the backbutton to get out of a website you have to sometimes use ctrl alt delete to use task manager, to end process to get that stuck page to disappear.

[elliemay1]

Thank you fender. Do you think BullGuard is ok? I have now bookmarked adwcleaner and Avast

[fender62]

there are many reviews on the net for bullguard, it comes down to how much your willing to pay, avast is free and popular, i like eset myself
but read up on them below, and other revuew sites.
https://www.techradar.com/best/best-antivirus

[elliemay1]

Thank you fender. I'll read those reviews and then decide.