Is it worth getting an antivirus software for Windows 8?

[Z3G]

So do you think it's worth getting an antivirus software for windows 8? Because I'm used to scanning everything I download from the internet by right clicking it and then pressing "SCAN" and now I miss this function on W8. :D  So can you somehow do it with windows defender or is it worth downloading other software?

[Samdb]

Not really, it has MSE built in.

[bchampion96]

So do you think it's worth getting an antivirus software for windows 8? Because I'm used to scanning everything I download from the internet by right clicking it and then pressing "SCAN" and now I miss this function on W8. :D  So can you somehow do it with windows defender or is it worth downloading other software?

 

Just don't click on dodgy links and download dodgy stuff :P

[Skyfire]

You can get avast! antivirus (free version) which does that. 

[Lyons]

No. 50% of avoiding viruses is being careful about what you do on the internet anyway.

 

/thread

[wtfxmitchell]

nah

[Korindo]

I still have bitdefender running in case my house mates do something silly on our file server... like a shotty movie file or something stupid that they might do. even then I've had a bad experience with MSE

[simtransporter]

Just don't click on dodgy links and download dodgy stuff :P

 

No. 50% of avoiding viruses is being careful about what you do on the internet anyway.

 

/thread

Absolutely True. The best antivirus is common sense and being careful about what websites you visit and what things you download.

If you always visit trusted websites that you know, then chances of getting any form of malware are pretty low.

[Lyons]

Absolutely True. The best antivirus is common sense and being careful about what websites you visit and what things you download.

If you always visit trusted websites that you know, then chances of getting any form of malware are pretty low.

 

Common sense 2013 is my favourite anti-virus suite  ;)

[kotekking2]

Common sense 2013 is my favourite anti-virus suite  ;)

I just pre-oredered 2014 version :D

[greg2126]

Just like everyone else said. Common sense is the key, however if you feel like you would like that extra layer of protection Malwarebytes is fantastic.

[TheArium]

The question here is not whether you need a anti virus in general but if it is needed on Windows 8 compared to Windows 7. Common sense will do absolutely nothing for you if a trusted website gets hacked, which happens. I've been in that situation myself.

 

I hear Windows 8 has Microsoft Security Essentials build in. If it is in fact MSE like the software you download online for Windows 7 I'd say you don't need anything else. A rule of thumb is to never have multiple anti-virus programs running at once anyway. However, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be on any computer. It's a nice extra layer of security that won't mess up another anti virus program as it only runs when you actively ask it to scan your computer.

[Z3G]

Yeah I know that Common sense is the best antivirus out there :D , but I don't need it for stopping me from doing something wrong. The thing I miss from MS defender is that i can't scan single files that I've already downloaded or my friends sent to me,

[neon]

Yeah I know that Common sense is the best antivirus out there :D , but I don't need it for stopping me from doing something wrong. The thing I miss from MS defender is that i can't scan single files that I've already downloaded or my friends sent to me,

 

You can add a 'Scan' context button to Windows 8 using this guide on How-To Geek.

[SpaceSquid]

If you don't watch porn you will be fine, just please don't click on porn links.

[Dr. Strangelove]

The "NoScript" extension is pretty nice against many kinds of internet dangers. 

The occasional "Secunia PSI" scan helps to keep the system up to date and avoid vulnerabilities in third party (non Microsoft) programs. 

And "Avast" is among the best free antivirus suites out there.

Then there are website reputation tools like "WOT". I personally don't like them but... 

 

Pick the stuff you think is most reasonable for your surfing/downloading usage. 

I think with the Win 8 tools + "NoScript" + "Brain.exe" + keeping your programs up to date (by hand or a tool) you should be good.

[Z3G]

The "NoScript" extension is pretty nice against many kinds of internet dangers. 

The occasional "Secunia PSI" scan helps to keep the system up to date and avoid vulnerabilities in third party (non Microsoft) programs. 

And "Avast" is among the best free antivirus suites out there.

Then there are website reputation tools like "WOT". I personally don't like them but... 

 

Pick the stuff you think is most reasonable for your surfing/downloading usage. 

I think with the Win 8 tools + "NoScript" + "Brain.exe" + keeping your programs up to date (by hand or a tool) you should be good.

So i guess I'll be fine then  :D

 

You can add a 'Scan' context button to Windows 8 using this guide on How-To Geek.

This only lets me scan folders no single files. SO pretty useless for me.

[GoodBytes]

So far, no.
Maybe later when Windows 8 will be wildly used, virus makers will find ways to by-pass it, and a cat and mouse style chase in fixing security holes and exploiting them will occur (like any Anti-Virus that becomes popular, and this is when everyone drops it, and later comes back, because the one they used got super popular and viruses by-pass that one, and so on so forth).

[kuddlesworth9419]

The only way anyone can get a virus is if they download loads of stuff off the internet or by using torrents. I have never gotten a virus any other way so if I was you I would stick with Security essentials and just don't download dodgy looking downloads.

[TheArium]

The only way anyone can get a virus is if they download loads of stuff off the internet or by using torrents. I have never gotten a virus any other way so if I was you I would stick with Security essentials and just don't download dodgy looking downloads.

 

I would really like to add the "trusted-site-got-hacked-method", which does happen, although I agree it's rare. 

[Blade of Grass]

I just want to point out to everyone who said no,you don't need an AV, there is this thing called an iFrame.

 

I'm not going to explain it all, if you're interested, here are some links

 

Framing

iFrames

 

But basically, iFrames can actually be used to load viruses and other stuff onto your computer, and even if you use common sense, and don't download anything, you can still get a virus just by visiting an infected webpage.

Here's a walk through on what you can actually do with an iFrame of course, the flaw was patched.

 

@TheArium

Yep, exactly.

 

@Z3G

@kuddlesworth9419

@Lyons

@greg2126

@simtransporter

[dalekphalm]

I just want to point out to everyone who said no,you don't need an AV, there is this thing called an iFrame.

 

I'm not going to explain it all, if you're interested, here are some links

 

Framing

iFrames

 

But basically, iFrames can actually be used to load viruses and other stuff onto your computer, and even if you use common sense, and don't download anything, you can still get a virus just by visiting an infected webpage.

Here's a walk through on what you can actually do with an iFrame of course, the flaw was patched.

 

@TheArium

Yep, exactly.

 

@Z3G

@kuddlesworth9419

@Lyons

@greg2126

@simtransporter

Yes yes yes

 

Why do "tech savvy" people KEEP insisting on that ridiculous notion that "common sense is all you need"? It's such bullshit, and is harmful to tell others to use this practice. Please stop spreading this myth.

 

Legit, real websites DO get compromised, hacked, infected, etc. If this happens, common sense will not save you.

 

Every PC that is connected to the Internet needs an anti-virus.

 

With that in mind, MSE/defender that's part of Windows 8 is probably good enough for most people. I personally would recommend upgrading to Avast (free edition), or Kaspersky (Paid), as they both generally offer better protection, based on 3rd party independent testing.

[Blade of Grass]

Yes yes yes

 

Why do "tech savvy" people KEEP insisting on that ridiculous notion that "common sense is all you need"? It's such bullshit, and is harmful to tell others to use this practice. Please stop spreading this myth.

 

Legit, real websites DO get compromised, hacked, infected, etc. If this happens, common sense will not save you.

 

Every PC that is connected to the Internet needs an anti-virus.

 

With that in mind, MSE/defender that's part of Windows 8 is probably good enough for most people. I personally would recommend upgrading to Avast (free edition), or Kaspersky (Paid), as they both generally offer better protection, based on 3rd party independent testing.

Well, I guess they really aren't that tech savvy ;)

[Midnight]

No

[greg2126]

I never said you do not need an anti virus. I said common sense is very much needed.

I'll say this right now. YES you do need antivirus software on your computer. Preferably one with real time scanning.

That being said we were talking about windows 8. Now unless he disabled it. Microsoft security essentials is installed and enabled by default. MSE is a pretty darn good scanner for one that is free.

If you want a better virus scanner you should look at some of the paid solutions. Kaspersky and McAfee. Ect.