Internet Security Required? [AV]

[ajgamer1]

Hello,

 

I have new system with Windows 8.1 Pro (with Windows Defender pre-installed). I would like to know if I should install any antivirus/internet security stuff?

 

My Work: I work daily on Websites, Marketing and Similar Stuff. I have loads of stuff to download daily from Websites, Servers and Torrents.

 

Let me know?

 

Thanks

[Guest]

I used to use AVG free and ZoneAlarm firewall. With AVG free you don't get a firewall, and with ZoneAlarm free you don't get an anti-virus; install them both and you have everything you need only using free versions. 

 

Depending on what you're doing, ZoneAlarm did sometimes cause issues for me, but for what you said you're doing you should be fine. The only problem i had with it, is it would cause my ping in Battlefield 4 to spike into the hundreds. 

 

http://free.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus-download

 

http://www.zonealarm.com/uk/software/free-firewall/

[Oshino Shinobu]

It depends. They can help, but they can also be annoying. 

 

I personally don't use them, as they just annoy me. I use Windows Firewall and do System scans every now and then. Been using it for around 2 years and have never had a virus. 

 

Most of the time, if you know which download button is the right one, and don't download from dodgy places, then you should be fine. 

[dalekphalm]

Hello,

 

I have new system with Windows 8.1 Pro (with Windows Defender pre-installed). I would like to know if I should install any antivirus/internet security stuff?

 

My Work: I work daily on Websites, Marketing and Similar Stuff. I have loads of stuff to download daily from Websites, Servers and Torrents.

 

Let me know?

 

Thanks

I would say that Windows Defender is a good start. It's not perfect (no AV is) but it's decent for your first line of defense.

 

I would also recommend installing MalwareBytes free version as a backup "on-demand" scanner. Just run full system scans once a month or so. It's light weight, and doesn't run in the background, so it won't slow down your normal use of the computer.

 

I also wouldn't bother with a Third Party firewall. Just use Windows Firewall. If you're paranoid enough that Windows Firewall isn't enough, then you're much better off putting a pfSense firewall box into your network, or ensuring that you have a good quality hardware firewall.

[ajgamer1]

I would say that Windows Defender is a good start. It's not perfect (no AV is) but it's decent for your first line of defense.

 

I would also recommend installing MalwareBytes free version as a backup "on-demand" scanner. Just run full system scans once a month or so. It's light weight, and doesn't run in the background, so it won't slow down your normal use of the computer.

 

I also wouldn't bother with a Third Party firewall. Just use Windows Firewall. If you're paranoid enough that Windows Firewall isn't enough, then you're much better off putting a pfSense firewall box into your network, or ensuring that you have a good quality hardware firewall.

 

I cannot afford to loose data. So if you think Internet Security required let me know?

I am not a Gamer.

[dalekphalm]

I cannot afford to loose data. So if you think Internet Security required let me know?

I am not a Gamer.

If you cannot afford to lose data, then keep regular, onsite + offsite backups (Backup your data to a HDD or a file server, then have it backup to an external HDD as well. Take the external HDD out of your building and store it somewhere else, eg: family or friends house, or rent a safe deposit box from a local bank - swap the offsite backup every week or every month).

 

With that in mind, Windows Defender + weekly MalwareBytes manual scans, is a pretty good setup.

 

If you want even better protection, I would replace Windows Defender with Kaspersky AV or Bit Defender AV. Both are solid, but both cost yearly subscription fees. In either case, keep MalwareBytes as a backup for manual scans.

[ajgamer1]

If you cannot afford to lose data, then keep regular, onsite + offsite backups (Backup your data to a HDD or a file server, then have it backup to an external HDD as well. Take the external HDD out of your building and store it somewhere else, eg: family or friends house, or rent a safe deposit box from a local bank - swap the offsite backup every week or every month).

 

With that in mind, Windows Defender + weekly MalwareBytes manual scans, is a pretty good setup.

 

If you want even better protection, I would replace Windows Defender with Kaspersky AV or Bit Defender AV. Both are solid, but both cost yearly subscription fees. In either case, keep MalwareBytes as a backup for manual scans.

 

How good Eset Nod is?

[dalekphalm]

How good Eset Nod is?

I've never used it, so I can't say with first hand experience. But it reviews fairly well. Many people swear by it.