Do I really need a anti-virus?

[mlsadler]

Hi,

so I only use my computer for games and doing school project and that it all. I don't go on fishy web site, i don't download illegal stuff with it.

ao do I really need one and should Microsoft built in one be fine?

 

thanks!

[auraofjason]

No Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Defender) is more than enough.

[VVoltor]

Windows defender is not an anti-virus software, but it's quite effective against malware.

 

I haven't used any anti virus software in years, but since you have to ask I guess you're not 100% confident, maybe it's wise to install something, there's some really good free ones like Avast.

[Creed1]

Windows Smart Screen is enough. Just be sure to be careful when windows smart screen can't verify the publisher.  

[Inception9269]

1 minute ago, auraofjason said:

No Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Defender) is more than enough.

Yeah... no. I had old pcs years ago that straight up died because MSE didn't stop any viruses or harmful programs.

 

Most viruses come from ads, so in this day in age adblock is a requirement. You can still whitelist some sites and youtubers that you want to support.

Adblock and malwarebytes = no viruses

[PingPonguin]

As long as you don't "have fun" on shady websites then you'll be fine. Just make sure when you are exploring websites that you don't click on a bad one. As for me, I'm just sticking with Windows Defender.

[LtStaffel]

Just now, Inception9269 said:

Yeah... no. I had old pcs years ago that straight up died because MSE didn't stop any viruses or harmful programs.

 

Most viruses come from ads, so in this day in age adblock is a requirement. You can still whitelist some sites and youtubers that you want to support.

Adblock and malwarebytes = no viruses

NoScript

[Mooshi]

Common sense goes a long way

[Vigilante505]

1 minute ago, Mooshi said:

Common sense goes a long way

Do you have a link? Cant seem to find it on the chrome store.

[IrshaadH]

Never hurts to install a free anti-virus as well.  I personally like Bitdefender -- it runs in the background and doesn't bombard you with ads and offer (*cough* AVG *cough*).

[phongle123]

13 minutes ago, IrshaadH said:

Never hurts to install a free anti-virus as well.  I personally like Bitdefender -- it runs in the background and doesn't bombard you with ads and offer (*cough* AVG *cough*).

I had Windows Defender and Malwarebytes. I think I deleted Malwarebytes because I think it detected stuff but didn't quarantine it. Windows Defender did do that and a handy notification that tells you to scan your computer when it detects something.

[LyyK]

42 minutes ago, Inception9269 said:

Yeah... no. I had old pcs years ago that straight up died because MSE didn't stop any viruses or harmful programs.

 

Most viruses come from ads, so in this day in age adblock is a requirement. You can still whitelist some sites and youtubers that you want to support.

Adblock and malwarebytes = no viruses

The battlefield has changed a lot since back in the days. Today, most people wouldn't even notice if their PC had malware running on it in the first place.

[Daniel644]

IF YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME FORM OF PROTECTION, I don't care where you go or don't go, several MAJOR websites (like sites people use for homepages) have been infected with Mal-ware and virus's that infected users computers from opening the site. if you are on Windows 10 you can probably get by with just the built in stuff but anything prior to 10 NEEDS ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE. Also run Adblock like stating a good bit of Mal-Ware comes in through the adds.

[Mr Toei]

just use SMADAV 2017, light software use but effective.