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Do I need anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee with Windows 8?

Do I need anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee with Windows 8?

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JosefkKrkland, it is highly recommended to have and frequently use AV software on any computer. i think the windows defender is a pre built in anti-virus software

but i would still recommend some Internet security anti spyware and anti malware later on if there starts being reports of smart viruses geting around the windows defender, you might consider an antivirus.

A smart computer adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides
blame everything else on the programmer.

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No. Windows defender is good enough

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To ensure the maximum protection of your computer.

Try Kaspersky - Best Anti Virus program.

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Windows Defender is the best, but use Kaspersky if you want to use any other program.  Norton and McAfee are infamous for there crashing Windows 8 computers.
My Tech Blog: http://hosch250.wordpress.com/

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I don't fully understand this. Microsoft recommends that 2 software programs should not be running simultaneously, yet Defender is said here to be a virus checker, and McAfee antivirus runs be default on Windows 8. Can someone please fill me in on this situation?

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Windows 8 has a new feature that let's you refresh but loose data. Refreshing deletes viruses, but it is good to have an antivirus software. And popular ones like mcafee and norton aren't that good because hackers intend to make viruses that can't be detected by the popular ones everybody uses. So unpopular anti viruses like avg and sophos will probably be better.

Remember that windows 8 isn't any safer than windows 7 so it's chance of getting viruses is the same. You probably would need one.

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Not really, my old desktop got a virus 2 times even with windows defender enabled.

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Windows Defender on Windows 8 is a full anti-malware program (not just anti-spyware like in previous Windows versions). It is effectively a new version of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) but with a different name already built-in to the Windows 8 operating system. For many people Windows Defender is sufficient in Windows 8 as a real-time protection anti-malware program.

 

If you wish to install a 3rd party real-time protection anti-malware program then you may, but it is generally advisable not to have more than one such program running at any given time. In fact, some of the 3rd party programs will deliberately disable Windows Defender to avoid problems.

 

The choice of any 3rd party program is subjective and also depends on your circumstances.

 

No anti-malware program is perfect. Doing an independent scan periodically with an on-demand scanner like the free one from Malwarebytes is a a good idea.

 

Also, make sure that you have a good firewall running. Again though, only use one at any given time.

 

Keep your security software up to date.

 

Finally don't assume that having security software is all you need to do:

  • Set Windows Update to ensure you get all security updates for Windows as soon as they become available.
  • Keep 3rd party programs such as Flash Player and Java up to date as they get security patches too.
  • Finally, and arguably as important as any software is the user who should try to keep abreast of security issues such as:

- fake technical support phone calls;

- email phishing scams;

- never opening unexpected email attachments;

- lottery scam emails.

etc.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer: You use my posts entirely at your own risk. I don't work for Microsoft. I am an unpaid volunteer.

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Thanks for your responses. Nobody has mentioned antivirus. Excuse my ignorance, but is anti malware and virus one and the same thing?

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Thanks for your responses. Nobody has mentioned antivirus. Excuse my ignorance, but is anti malware and virus one and the same thing?


Malware is a shortened form of the term malicious software. It is basically a general term that covers all the nasties, including viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, keyloggers.

 

A virus is a subset of malware. The definitions vary, but it is basically an unwanted and potentially harmful program that can reproduce and spread to other computers.

 

The terms malware and virus are often used loosely, interchangeably and sometimes erroneously.

_______________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer: You use my posts entirely at your own risk. I don't work for Microsoft. I am an unpaid volunteer.

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Last updated March 29, 2022 Views 36,239 Applies to: