Windows Defender

[Russ]

Is it neccessary to have windows defender w/ windows xp sp3? I also have
McAfee virus and firewall software. Thank you

 

[Leonard Grey]

Windows Defender detects spyware only. Your McAfee software probably
detects all forms of malware. (You didn't tell us the name and edition
of your McAfee software.) Therefore, Windows Defender is redundant.

It's possible that Windows Defender and your McAfee software will
conflict with each other, reducing your protection. The 2009 McAfee
consumer products for Windows Vista disable Microsoft Windows Defender
to improve system performance.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is it neccessary to have windows defender w/ windows xp sp3? I also have
McAfee virus and firewall software. Thank you

Several points:

1. In my view, McAfee is next to the worst security software
available. Only Norton is worse.

2. Windows Defender is anti-spyware software, not anti-virus software.
No anti-virus program is sufficient protection, and you certainly
should also have anti-spyware protection.

3. Windows Defender is not bad anti-spyware software, but no such
program is perfect and I strongly recommend that you have at least
two. I recommend that you keep Windows Defer, but also install the two
best anti-spyware products, MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
SuperAntiSpyware, both downloadable and free.

Besides getting MalwareBytes AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware, I
strongly recommend that you replace McAfee with a better product. In
my view, the best product is NOD32, but if you want a freeware
product, get Avast or Avira.