Is Windows Defender enough?

Hey all,
Just curious if using MS Windows Defender is good enough internet security for one's pc? I feel it is, but I want to hear your thoughts. Let's start the conversation! :)

JesseRBassett said:

Hey all,
Just curious if using MS Windows Defender is good enough internet security for one's pc? I feel it is, but I want to hear your thoughts. Let's start the conversation! :)

Click to expand...

Yes.

OAT said:

Yes.

Click to expand...

Yes but of course that regettably rare attribute "common sense" is also important i.e. do not click links without thinking etc.

This has been the title of so many threads and clickbait articles. Yes, MS Defender is enough, along with ...

cereberus said:

that regettably rare attribute "common sense" is also important i.e. do not click links without thinking etc.

Click to expand...

@JesseRBassett,
Windows Build/Version 224H2

Wow, what channel are you on?

if using MS Windows Defender is good enough internet security for one's pc?

Yes!!! But as said, commonsense also helps.

Yes, Defender is "good enough." Personally, I want the "best" protection possible. According to the AV Comparatives Lab latest annual report (2023), Kaspersky was the product of the year. Link: Summary Report 2023

The report is a worth a read in my opinion because it details all of the features that are important in a comprehensive AV solution. In addition to Kaspersky Premium, I also run Malwarebytes Premium (exemptions in both Kaspersky and Malwarebytes to prevent conflicts, and Malwarebytes not registered in the Windows Security Center).

More important than that is practicing safe computing. The interface between the chair and the keyboard is the cause of most malware infections.

MOST IMPORTANT is having a robust backup strategy with emergency bootable media. No one security product or combination thereof can prevent every possible malware attack. Ransomware is the major malware threat in these times. One wants to be able to quickly and effectively recover from any such attack.

@JesseRBassett requested a conversation on this topic. Please don't flame me. That is my opinion. Others do differ, but let us do so respectfully.

Have a great day. Everyone stay safe in cyberspace, regardless of which AV product you use.

Regards,
Phil

OAT said:

@JesseRBassett,
Windows Build/Version 224H2

Wow, what channel are you on?

Click to expand...

Mistyped there. LOL. I mean 24h2 or whatever the latest version of 11 is.

it's certainly good enough for me and what I do with my computer. I haven't had any problems using it for years now.

Depends for whom... skill level - but also how well you're doing financially, what status you have in society.

Skill-wise - if system security is your expertise - you probably have a secure enough configured Hardware Firewall - to help at dodging advanced threats.

If a home user - and the system is used purely for entertainment (a movie or playing a game and such), preferably - avoid using it for any credit card transactions or managing your bank account - preferably not bothering with social media either, then... Yes - should be enough. Unless... you have a high tier Steam account (worth a lot of $) - then it's not (there's a chance you'll be targeted).

If you're doing pretty well financially - and that's publicly known by enough people - it's not, since the chance of getting targeted is high enough - you'll get targeted.

If you're a well know public figure - the higher the status - the higher the chances of getting targeted, so it's kinda... like bringing a knife to a gun fight. You'll need to heir people who are skilled enough - to secure and monitor your system.

Does paid security offer better dense? The more secure the better OFC - so sure, it helps... starting with a dedicated hardware firewall (more often than not - the one included with your rooter is probably to basic - to make a noticeable difference). But honestly - the best security is.... having a basic PC security knowledge, poverty and a low status. Very low chances of being targeted by someone skilled enough - while the general malware that's spread on the internet - is usually detectable in a reasonable time. Won't make much damage anyway - even if infected. If you own a laptop and strangers could have access to it or you're in range of random attacks - sure, some can be really annoying (kids aspiring to be hackers - in particular, they just wanna brake into things - even brake your PC for fun).

Just my 2 cents.

neves said:

Depends for whom... skill level - but also how well you're doing financially, what status you have in society.

Skill-wise - if system security is your expertise - you probably have a secure enough configured Hardware Firewall - to help at dodging advanced threats. ......

Click to expand...

Truthfully, this is way overcomplicating things. Period.

If one is not surfacing porn or questionable sites, opening unknown/suspicious emails or doing anything common sense says not, then 99.999 of uses will be safe. Now if you're doing questionable stuff, or are working in a high security environment, then Defender may not be "good enough".

If you're the paranoid type, nothing is "good enough". For all others, as noted by many, defender is does a damn good job for 99 percent of most users. Yes, nothing on the planet is 100 percent foolproof.... including humans, so....

I have 45 years of PC experience. My choice is Microsoft Security (Defender).

Dru2 said:

Truthfully, this is way overcomplicating things. Period.

If one is not surfacing porn or questionable sites, opening unknown/suspicious emails or doing anything common sense says not, then 99.999 of uses will be safe. Now if you're doing questionable stuff, or are working in a high security environment, then Defender may not be "good enough".

If you're the paranoid type, nothing is "good enough". For all others, as noted by many, defender is does a damn good job for 99 percent of most users. Yes, nothing on the planet is 100 percent foolproof.... including humans, so....

Click to expand...

Quite the opposite - was oversimplifying things. I think, almost everyone - can make sense of what i said. Your points on the other hand - bring nothing constructive to this conversation, quite obscure and confusing - taking those nonsensical percentages into account (talk about over-complicating things).

The most questionable site (or at least - for the longest time) - was/is probably Facebook. Which is not really that surprising - while being so popular, but also - because it's the social media platform with the highest number of seniors - a prime target for cyber crooks - using fake accounts (only more recently - they made some improvements and changed some policies - while aiming to diminish the number of cyber crooks) and ads involving phishing websites, scams or even malware. You'd think a giant like Facebook - would prioritize their clients safety over profit (said no one ever). Thus, you might find this shocking - but far more than 0.001% was/is using Facebook. Google is not doing a good job either (at displaying secure results) . That being said... a high percentage of Windows users (where the majority use a PC/Windows - similar to a TV/Smartphone - so, they're not interested in developing even common sense Windows maintenance & security habits - let alone learn a thing or two and find the fun in that) - expect ignorance to be blissful - while using a computer (everything should just.... work, hassle free). Same way they feel about using most devices. But this is good cause - it creates jobs (it's something politicians would say). Supposedly in 2024... Microsoft Windows runs on 1.6 billion active devices in 2024. 1% of that is 16 million (let this number sink in at least a bit - before throwing a percentage of 99% around out of 1.6 billion - while thinking/talking as of you have them all figure out).

neves said:

Quite the opposite - was oversimplifying things. I think, almost everyone - can make sense of what i said. Your points on the other hand - bring nothing constructive to this conversation, quite obscure and confusing - taking those nonsensical percentages into account (talk about over-complicating things).

The most questionable site (or at least - for the longest time) - was/is probably Facebook. Which is not really that surprising - while being so popular, but also - because it's the social media platform with the highest number of seniors - a prime target for cyber crooks - using fake accounts (only more recently - they made some improvements and changed some policies - while aiming to diminish the number of cyber crooks) and ads involving phishing websites, scams or even malware. You'd think a giant like Facebook - would prioritize their clients safety over profit (said no one ever). Thus, you might find this shocking - but far more than 0.001% was/is using Facebook. Google is not doing a good job either (at displaying secure results) . That being said... a high percentage of Windows users (where the majority use a PC/Windows - similar to a TV/Smartphone - so, they're not interested in developing even common sense Windows maintenance & security habits - let alone learn a thing or two and find the fun in that) - expect ignorance to be blissful - while using a computer (everything should just.... work, hassle free). Same way they feel about using most devices. But this is good cause - it creates jobs (it's something politicians would say). Supposedly in 2024... Microsoft Windows runs on 1.6 billion active devices in 2024. 1% of that is 16 million (let this number sink in at least a bit - before throwing a percentage of 99% around out of 1.6 billion - while thinking/talking as of you have them all figure out).

Click to expand...

To paraphrase Mark Twain "I am sorry to write a long post, I did not have time to write a short one".

Somewhere in this post is a point but I am blowed if I have enough years left in my life to fathom it out LOL

Yes, much better than using Russian antivirus software

cereberus said:

To paraphrase Mark Twain "I am sorry to write a long post, I did not have time to write a short one".

Somewhere in this post is a point but I am blowed if I have enough years left in my life to fathom it out LOL

Click to expand...

Loved my grandparents but for most part - we could only talk about the old days, farming and cooking/food (anything modern or to technical was overwhelming for them). So, i get it. That's not to say - that everyone your age is the same. Personal experience wise, was surprised even by people in mid 70s - who fixed modern devices deemed garbage (to broken to repair) - by younger technicians. To be fair... the modern work ethic "where replacing a component (even if it's the motherboard) - is deemed preferable to trying to fix it (can save a lot of time) " - had a big saying in this regard, but still.... worthy of praise.

I spent thousands of dollars in security through the years, I still don't know whether it was necessary but at least it must have helped some people make ends meet. Not anymore, MS Defender is mature enough to take care of Windows, and using a reliable imaging program should make sure that any of my mistakes (if any) would be redeemed restoring an image...

Glad people are respectful enough to give straight answers. Now my 2nd part to this question...and correct me if I am wrong....but does one need a VPN if he/she is using their own internet? I cannot get a straight answer on that.

Yes

Cheers
jimbo

JesseRBassett said:

Now my 2nd part to this question...and correct me if I am wrong....but does one need a VPN if he/she is using their own internet? I cannot get a straight answer on that.

Click to expand...

The issue is that people usually judge others based on themselves, like when recommending apps or AV, they recommend what they use. The question is: Do YOU need VPN? The fact that you ask probably means that you do not, considering that you even list your location on your profile. Like one person on this forum, who insulted me, because I mind my privacy and I hide my location.

VPN can increase security when using a public WiFi, since it adds an additional encryption on top.
VPN can also provide some anonymity from your ISP and your government and bypass restrictions.
The problem is that VPN is provided by 3rd party companies, they can monetize your browsing data.