Windows Defender or other?

[Guest]

Do I need to use a separate anti-virus program if I am using Windows
Defender? Will Defender protect my Vista computer all on its own?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Do I need to use a separate anti-virus program if I am using Windows
Defender?

Yes.


Will Defender protect my Vista computer all on its own?

No.

Windows Defender provides some protection (not enough) against
non-viral malware (adware and spyware). You still need to run an
anti-virus program.

Also note my "not enough" above. No single anti-spyware/adware program
is good enough, and you need to run at least two for adequate
protection.

 

[JerryM]

Two very good antivirus programs that are FREE,

Avast! & AVG

Do a Google search for them.

--

Jerry

One thing money can't buy,
The wagging tail of a dog.

 

[Rock]

Do I need to use a separate anti-virus program if I am using Windows
Defender? Will Defender protect my Vista computer all on its own?

Yes you need an AV program. Defender is for non viral malware. Ones that
work well in Vista are Avast (free - I recommend this), NOD32 (paid),
Kaspersky (paid).

 

[Sharon T]

I just bought Kapersky after using the 1 month trial. It detected scams in
email which AVG did not. I highly recommend Kapersky.

 

[LoneStar]

Windows Defender provides some protection (not enough) against
non-viral malware (adware and spyware). You still need to run an
anti-virus program.

What about the Malicious Software Removal Tool that's updated and run every
month? That along with Defender "should" be good enough, along with Vista's
inherent protection schemes and strengths. Plus, I run One-Care Live
occasionally.

I know I'm going against the grain but since my Vista is running SO well,
and I'm VERY careful what I download and where I go on the Internet, I would
hesitate to run an AV program to load the system down more.

Yeah, I know..................

EW

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

What about the Malicious Software Removal Tool that's updated and run every
month? That along with Defender "should" be good enough, along with Vista's
inherent protection schemes and strengths. Plus, I run One-Care Live
occasionally.

I know I'm going against the grain but since my Vista is running SO well,
and I'm VERY careful what I download and where I go on the Internet, I would
hesitate to run an AV program to load the system down more.

Yeah, I know..................

Your choice, of course. I think you're playing with fire and looking
for trouble.

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

After much trial and error, I found what I beleive is the perfect combination
for Vista. AVAST virus software coupled with AVG Spyware Protection. Both
are free.

 

[Morris Cox]

What about the Malicious Software Removal Tool that's updated and run every
month? That along with Defender "should" be good enough, along with Vista's
inherent protection schemes and strengths. Plus, I run One-Care Live
occasionally.

I know I'm going against the grain but since my Vista is running SO well,
and I'm VERY careful what I download and where I go on the Internet, I would
hesitate to run an AV program to load the system down more.

Yeah, I know..................

EW

The Malicious Software Removal Tool only checks for some viruses
(virii?). You're still liable to be blind-sided by other viruses and by
malware (even with Defender). Note that you can still get hit by XSS
attacks and the like even with an antivirus program. Firefox with the
NoScript extension is quite effective against XSS attacks.

Morris Cox

 

[Ken Blake]

LoneStar wrote:

The Malicious Software Removal Tool only checks for some viruses (virii?).

You were right the first time. It's "viruses." "Virii" is just illiterate.

You're still liable to be blind-sided by other viruses and by malware
(even with Defender).

Yes. Lonestar's comment that "Malicious Software Removal Tool ... along with
Defender 'should' be good enough" is not at all accurate, It's important to
note what Eric Howes, who has done extensive testing on Anti-Spyware
products, states:

"No single anti-spyware scanner removes everything. Even the best-performing
anti-spyware scanner in these tests missed fully one quarter of the
"critical" files and Registry entries" See
http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm