What Basic Anti-Virus Protection should I download?

[Bleedred]

I'm breaking this out, because my computer is about to be exposed. I have a new Lenovo T440s (purchased a month ago). My Norton Anti-virus runs out tomorrow. I have historically only purchased one anti-virus product, as I do nothing exotic with my machine. What do you all recommend that I download (link if possible) to provide basic anti-virus (and other) protection?

Thanks

 

[HillysLastWalk]

If you really feel you need Anti-virus, just use Microsoft Security Essentials - it's free: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
 
EDIT: though, I haven't read up on MSE recently, and found this: http://www.howtogeek.com/173291/goodbye-microsoft-security-essentials-microsoft-now-recommends-you-use-a-third-party-antivirus/, so you might want to try avast instead: http://www.avast.com/

 

[Bleedred]

Maybe I'm asking the wrong Question? If I don't need an Anti-Virus, what would I need? Back in the day, it was almost always a given that Norton Anti-Virus or something else had to be on your machine to avoid corruption....am I hopelessly lost/wrong about that?

 

[HillysLastWalk]

Actually, ignore that comment.  You should use it.  There's been times in the past where I haven't run it, but I did things like logging into my PC using a non-admin account.  So I couldn't install anything if I even tried.  Or was careful about what I clicked, etc.
 
Some points raised here in a previous thread: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/77091-should-i-ditch-microsoft-security-essentials/

 

[FelixMantilla]

AVG or Avast is fine.
 
Also download Malwarebytes and use it once a week.
 
 
Or just check out the pinned thread: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/33894-spyware-201/

 

[Bleedred]

Thanks. I did check the pinned thread, but if I used everything in there that people reference, I'd download like 15 things. I'll download the Avast protection. Is Malwarebytes a feature of, or separate from, Avast?

 

[AlNipper49]

Microsoft Security Essentials is more than fine enough.  You would add malwarebytes on top of that if you want.  Most importantly, just don't use internet explorer and don't click on stupid things. 
 
I can write a how-to on this but you should also use the OpenDNS servers (listed on their homepage opendns.com) instead of your ISP's.  They're maginally safer, but every little bit helps ....and for not really compromising anything else it's a no-brainer.

 

[SteveF]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials and the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET), which under the recommended settings applies its various protections to IE, Office, adobe acrobat/reader, and Java (God help you if you have to have Java installed).  Manually adding executables and getting them to run without tripping EMET can be a bit of trial and error though.
 
Virus protection is mostly worthless if you don't keep software updated and/or click/install things you shouldn't click/install.

 

[Bleedred]

Searching for Microsoft Security Essentials, I got this Note: "In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender runs in the background and notifies you when you need to take specific action. However, you can use it anytime to scan for malware if your computer isn’t working properly or you clicked a suspicious link online or in an email message."


Since I have Windows 8 (or maybe 8.1), I presume its Windows Defender, not Microsoft Secuirty Essentials?

 

[SteveF]

Since I have Windows 8 (or maybe 8.1), I presume its Windows Defender, not Microsoft Secuirty Essentials?

Yes.  It should also already be installed I imagine.  Presumably when you uninstall Norton it will snap into action/need to be configured. But I'm just guessing as I'm still on Win 7.

 

[Bleedred]

Ok, forgive me, but what does it mean that it will "snap into action/need to be configured." More to the point, do you think I have to do anything to accomplish that?

 

[SteveF]

I'd be guessing, but if it works like windows 7 once you uninstall a virus protection the operating system will admonish you harshly about your lack of virus protection and tell you to enable windows defender.  It's also possible it will do so silently without any feedback/input from you, realizing (probably correctly) that humans cannot be trusted.
 
Someone with Windows 8 should be able to verify how this works.
 
Worst case scenario, you just google and find a site that will give you detailed instructions with visual aids/screencaps to show you how to enable it.  They are all over the place and easy to find.
 
My guess is it will all happen automatically after you uninstall/reboot.

 

[Bleedred]

Thanks. Now that you mention it, I was getting a message upon logging out that Windows needs to update and restart. It didn't say Defender, but I wonder if that's what was going on. Regardless, I'll search and figure it out after uninstalling Norton. Thanks Again!

 

[Curll]

Also, I have AdBlock and AdBlock Plus installed and Web of Trust. These are things that will also help you avoid clicking on bad shit.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Thanks. Now that you mention it, I was getting a message upon logging out that Windows needs to update and restart. It didn't say Defender, but I wonder if that's what was going on. Regardless, I'll search and figure it out after uninstalling Norton. Thanks Again!

 
It's my understanding that Windows Defender is approximately as good as anything out there so you don't need to download anything extra, - that is presuming that you take care about what you click and don't download anything that you aren't 100% sure of.
 
If you have Windows 8, you can find Windows defender by opening your search charm bar (swipe from right) and then searching apps under "Defender."  The real time option should be clicked.
 
Here is an article on why some OEMs disable Windows Defender and how you can enable it:  http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020260/how-to-activate-windows-defender-in-windows-8.html.
 
I'm not an expert so please don't take my word on this.  Also, if you do find something different, I'd appreciate hearing about it.