Windows Defender

[Papa]

Is Windows Defender a reliable program? Would other programs work equally
well, or better? I have used the free version of AVG from Grisoft, an
anti-virus program, for several years. It has done a very good job on every
XP computer in my home network. Another program I use is the free version of
Ad-Aware from Lavasoft, an anti-spyware program. It has performed very well
too.

 

[Rock]

Is Windows Defender a reliable program? Would other programs work equally
well, or better? I have used the free version of AVG from Grisoft, an
anti-virus program, for several years. It has done a very good job on
every XP computer in my home network. Another program I use is the free
version of Ad-Aware from Lavasoft, an anti-spyware program. It has
performed very well too.

Windows Defender is not an anti-virus program, which AVG is. You should
install an AV program in Vista. AVG free is one commonly used program, as
is Avast (free) and NOD32. These are the three I would recommend.

Windows Defender is for non viral malware. No one program can catch
everything, so you can still install and do occasional scans with Ad-Aware.
SpyBot S&D is another good program for Vista, and Spyware Blaster. The
latter does not do scanning.

 

[Richard Urban]

Windows Defender is better than nothing at all.

I have stopped using it. It is deactivated on my computer. I use Spy Sweeper
on my Vista computer. It is yards ahead of what W.D. is.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

 

[Guest]

Avast is the best free AV program; it auto updates every few hours, and it
beats the paid for ones as well! it also continually scans your system.
Ad-aware, Spybot Search & Destroy will do the anti-spyware job, just update
them once a fortnight, and scan your system then.
GET RID of Defender.
Rock mentions Spyware Blaster, which is a great program; it runs in the
background, and stops nasties at their websites. When you update Spyware
Blaster, once a fortnight too, make sure that you click on "enable all
protection", when the update download is complete.

Mick Murphy in Australia (QLD)

 

[Guest]

Papa, all those 4 programs are compatible with Vista
Avast
Ad-Aware
SpyBot Search & Destroy
Spyware Blaster