Computer Security
 

Which computer security is better, Windows10 Defender or AVG?:024:

Buy apple if your concerned about security.

The article below reviews some well known security software, including the two you mentioned.

Best Free Antivirus 2017: 6 best free AV packages to keep your PC safe | Trusted Reviews

This site finds Defender has improved since their earlier tests:

What’s the Best Antivirus for Windows 10? (Is Windows Defender Good Enough?)

Your can search "Defender vs. AVG" and find additional opinions.

I like AVG, but I did have a computer tech point out the illogic of buying an expensive computer, storing all your data and programs on it, and then not be willing to spend a little money to protect it all.

How does this answer the OP question?

I've used them all. Defender is fine.
Used with a regular Malwarebytes free scan and you are AOK,

You may want to check out Avast, too.

I have used AVG for years, but several times its updates have knocked out my web browsing and I have had to "wind back" to an earlier version. And it now has daily pop-ups which can be annoying.

Thank you, very informative info.:wave:

A chromebook never gets a virus. Apple is very good at sending out an update when they find a virus, but, the point is someone has to get the virus first.
Chromebooks check the operating system when you first turn it on. If it's not what they left you with, they put you back one version and download a new version. You never even know this is happening as it all automatic and there is no waiting for downloads or updates.
I've used everything from PCs (including Apple II) to IBM mainframes, I now use the chromebook 99.9% of the time.
The Connected Villagers Club will be having a workshop at Eisenhower on Jan 15th 1-2. I will have a table for the chromebook, all villagers with an ID are welcome.

Connected Villager - Home

All OS are susceptible to hacking. Not enough Apple, Chromebook, Linux, PC users out there to make it worthwhile. I'd be more concerned about the web browsers being hacked by bad sites But if you are careful and up to date you should be OK.

Nice to see a support group for the Chromebook in the Villages. What about Linux?

25 years PC repair. MCSE Microsoft Security

I thought it was a very simple question about 2 security programs.

I use Defender and Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes cost is $25 a year, it comes with 4 licences and works like a champ.

Thank you. :clap2:

I have been using Vipre for 20 years. It is about $40.00 a year but is all inclusive with the built in firewall, provides protection from viruses, ransomware and scans internet traffic and email. It is written and supported in the US.

The chromebook OS can not be hacked because of the way it works. First since there is no hard drive there is no place for a virus to stay. Whenever you turn on a chromebook, the first thing the OS does is to do a scan to see if the OS you have is the one they left you with. If not, then they restore you to the last good one and download a new one -- all in the background, you don't even know it is happening.
If you go to a site that grabs your screen (which has nothing to do with the OS), all you have to do is push the shutoff button and when you turn it back on you are safe again.

When the PC was first invented, it was never intended to be on the web, it was never intended to keep out viruses (since they weren't invented yet).

Linux was designed to be secure from day one (chromebook OS is a version of Linux).

Someone has to get a virus before someone can create an antivirus for it. Since the chromebook can't get a virus, it's not a problem.

Because viruses can't be uploaded to the cloud? Your OS may be safe but your data is still vulnerable. The only people who have not been hacked yet are those who have not been targeted.

Comcast users can get free Norton Internet Security Suite (aka Constant Guard) download. Highly rated, works in the background & does maintenance stuff, too.

There's a school of thought that it is wise to minimize the number of add on packages you install, as all software has latent bugs that can lead to hacking vulnerabilities. If you agree, then your answer is just use what is built-in to Windows. Windows Defender has evolved into a reasonably capable feature. I used ESET nod32 anti-virus for many years but recently switched to Windows Defender because I've bought into the minimalist philosophy.
--
Bob C

I am not a very big fan of Microsoft. Every other release of the OS is buggy and untested and when the public is done beta testing for them they release a more stable version. I think IE is bloated and disliked Bing. I hated the fact that they made Office 2010 so that it was no one could open a docx or xlsx unless they bought the upgrade. So pretty much I wouldn't trust their antivirus, since they totally dumped Microsoft Security Essentials when they launched Windows Defender.

Your data is encrypted on the cloud with Google, you can make your own copy via a thumb drive.

The hackers would have to get to Google servers to get to their OS code, never happen.

The chromebook may not be for everyone (just like Apple or Microsoft), but, like I said, I use it 99.9% of the time.

Your points are valid but never say never. The Google cloud being hacked is not beyond the realm of possibility and having your data there means you can only access it with an internet connection which could be inconvenient for some. To access on a thumb drive makes it slow. People can encrypt their data on their own machines but are either not technically capable or lazy. I already said in a previous post that I am not a fan of Microsoft or Apple either. My next computer will be Linux.

AVAST twice blocked my firewall as a result of chnages they were making and so i cancelled my subscription they ignored it and charged me for one year. I contested it with my credit card company and won

OK, maybe never was a little strong, how about almost never?
Yes, Linux is very secure, but like I said, 99% of the people in The Villages are not very computer savy, for them the chromebook would be a very good computer.
They are using a computer mostly for Email, reading new articles etc. not saving data.
The biggest problem most people have with their computers is keeping up with updates, something you never have to worry about with chromebook. IT JUST WORKS!
For the more computer savy there is Apple, Microsoft and, of course, Linux.

Yes, I agree with this.

If you subscribe thru Comcast, you can get Norton Security Suite free.

Nortons is a memory hog.:beer3:

True

People will always have opinions on this.

Here is a link to a web site for professionals that independently rate the scanners. Think of it as a consumer reports for virus scanners.

Virus Bulletin :: Latest RAP Quadrant

Those are the current ratings and explanation of their testing methods.

I use Avast without all the extras removed for a nice, lightweight scanner on my personal machine, but you may like another.

Jim

I just converted a Window 7 PC to Linux Mint 18.3. It wasn't very hard, but I never worked with Linux, only Unix back in the '80s.

I'll play with Linux for a while, just to see if I like it. But, I still use my Chromebook 99.9% of the time (which is Linux based, but you don't get stuck in linux stuff).

I prefer the Mint MATE version with the Gnome desktop. Easiest to get to look / work / feel like Windows.

It was Biker Dog. I agree with SFSkol above, use Windows Defender (free with Windows 10) with MalwareBytes. The free version of MalwareBytes is good but you must do scans manually. The paid version $39 per year runs constantly to protect your machine and does not noticeably slow you down.

What brand of chromebook do you recommend?

I had a Chromebook that a poster on here Tomwed convinced me to buy and it served us well but it got legs on the move to Florida. When we got here I bought an HP $300 laptop from Walmart because I was trying to cut corners and have been unhappy :Screen_of_Death: with it ever since. I really think its because I am not comfortable with Windows 10. I am better off with an Apple even if it costs more it is ready to go when you need it. I had to take my 7-year-old iMac to the Altamonte Springs store because I had a snafu after an update and they sold me an external backup that plugs into my machine so if the same problem ever occurred again I could fix it my self. They carted my computer from the parking lot into the store, repaired and returned it to my car for free. Oh, they told me don't run Norton anymore. Apple is the way to go but it isn't cheap.

Hi Nucky,
How are you?
It's been a year since I dropped in. I searched my name---and found this thread.

I bought an Acer Chromebook model R11. I paid $140 and bought it in the scratch and dent department on the Acer site. Within a year the battery died and I'm shopping for one now. It fell and the touch screen stopped working. And the mic was not very good at picking up my voice from day 1. I was too lazy to send it back when it was under warranty. What I like about it is that besides running Chrome it also runs Android like my Smart Phone. I can download apps. I still think it's great and at that price point it's a disposable. As someone else said you can't get a virus and I'm used to storing 99% on-line. I have 4gb of RAM. I would not get any less. Take a look.

I've not had a problem in over 10 years with Norton Utilities and I am on a lot.

Glad to hear from you tomwed, hope all is well with you. Living here turned out to be fantastic and I never got a chance to thank you for your help with good info in making the big move easier.

I really don't think you can go wrong with any Chromebook but as you pointed out I looked at mine as disposable, it was cheap.

Take Care tomwed, good to hear from you. :mademyday: