Legit Question about Paid Anti Virus Subscriptions

revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:06
Last edited 28/06/2025 - 21:02

So, as above, a legit question. Is it really needed these days? I used to be into computers, but these days they are just a tool to me, so no longer in the loop tech wise.

I am using a near new laptop with Windows 11. Just used for basic browsing, a little banking, shopping, bit of OzB and emails etc. Also I have an older PC on Windows 10 just for running Plex.

Other than that, all my streaming is on Chromecast so I think I am ok there.

I have done some research, but opinions are quite conflicting. Thoughts, and perhaps some anecdotal evidence please.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT, The reason I am asking, is am I wasting my money or not. I am careful about what I click on and about what emails I open etc.

Computing Antivirus Software Software

Comments

  • Mechz on 28/06/2025 - 20:16
    +22

    Windows Defender is enough these days.

    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:21
      -1

      May I ask why please? Or are paid subs just a gyp? I have never had an issue with phones for example, but the anti virus companies try and flog their subs for them as well. Never felt the need for that though.

      • Hybroid on 28/06/2025 - 20:31
        +4

        The risk of you being infected with something that Defender may not catch is so miniscule, it's not work paying for something else, nor taking the performance hit on it. Even if you did, there's always a chance of being infected something they don't catch either. One of the reasons why Windows is so annoying with forced updates is to patch 0-day exploits ASAP.

        Having said that, there is an argument to get Malwarebytes (it's not AV, but malware protection) which is valid. Though most people will not need it so you weigh up whether you think you want the added protection.

        • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:40

          Thanks for your input, Very appreciated. Will do some research on malware. It's something I know nothing about.

        • jizmo on 28/06/2025 - 23:54

          If you're sailing on the high seas, Malwarebytes does spit a lot of dirty IP's on the torrent engine in your boat.
          If it didn't do that I probably wouldn't renew my subscription and just stick with only a VPN.

          • TilacVIP on 29/06/2025 - 09:31

            @jizmo: Malwarebytes, although touted as very good, does also pick up a lot of false positives. Even with the creation of an exclusion or whitelisting, they still keep popping up. Kinda annoying.

            If you're not visiting dodgy sites, you should be fine with the default Windows Defender

          • ATTS on 30/06/2025 - 12:16

            @jizmo: Could you please explain malwarebytes and the dirty IP'S?

          • kiitos on 30/06/2025 - 13:53

            @jizmo: Does that mean those IPs have been identified as the source of compromised cracked apps? Or is there a more direct risk of the IP infecting your PC over the torrent protocol (is that possible?)

            • ATTS on 30/06/2025 - 15:04

              @kiitos: Does vpn mask our own ip address?

      • SYLTB on 28/06/2025 - 20:33

        Anecdotally the best hackers are Russian comrades who naturally make the best paid AV. Buy their Kaspersky if not feel good with WD.

        • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:41
          +1

          Yeah. I think I will give Kapersky and Putin a big pass:)

  • 7ekn00 on 28/06/2025 - 20:21
    -3

    Defender won't stop Randsomware, decent paid ones will (Bitdefender / Kaspersky / eSET) …

    Plenty of other examples, but generally, if you aren't doing risky stuff (ie pirating where you can be exposed to 0day exploits), you shouldn't need the paid extras ;)

    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:24

      Thanks, not doing anything nefarious. Definitely no pirating. Have been using Bitdefender but it runs out shortly.

      • 7ekn00 on 28/06/2025 - 20:30
        -1

        Here are the conditions I would be happy using Defender only:
        - no exposure to 0day sources
        - if you understand nefarious email attachments (like not clicking on random attachments from friends called blahblah.pdf.exe)
        - if you have OS and Data backups from which you can easily restore either/both

        Otherwise it's better to pay peanuts to run some extra protection (you can get KIS for 3 devices per year for $18)

        • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:43

          Cheers, definitely do not open weird emails but wary about Kapersky.

          • 7ekn00 on 28/06/2025 - 20:50
            -1

            @revheadgl: If you are more comfortable with five eyes (NSA / ASIO / GCHQ / GCSB / CSIS) and China spying on you (as opposed to Russia only), then Bitdefender or ESET can be used ;)

            • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:51

              @7ekn00: Ha, good point.

              • SYLTB on 28/06/2025 - 21:11

                @revheadgl: Here is the correct 5 Eyes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Eyes

                • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 21:20

                  @SYLTB: Interesting read. Not surprised though.

                  Fortunately, or unfortunately, I am approaching the end. They probably already have all the data on my very mundane life, so they can have at it all they want.

                  Nothing interesting for them to see. Other than my power tool addiction:)

                  • 7ekn00 on 28/06/2025 - 21:33

                    @revheadgl: You may or may not be aware, but there are laws on books around the globe for "mis-gendering people" online ;)

                    The five eyes data could be used to charge you with "online mis-gendering" in the UK and result in an extradition :P

                    Give me a man and I will find the crime

                    I rather have my data collected by a country that I can't be extradited too ;)

                    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 21:45

                      @7ekn00: WTF! Just read it, that is just so wrong.

                      I have long thought that Stalin was worse than Hitler, and I have thought and hoped we never have to see that type of nastiness again, in my lifetime and well beyond.

                      You are obviously more well read than I am:)

                      • 7ekn00 on 28/06/2025 - 21:47

                        @revheadgl: One of my employees 10 years ago got extradited from Australia to Canada for threats made online !!

                        • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 21:57

                          @7ekn00: Damn, that is really bad to hear. Glad there is no thought police. Yet. Otherwise I would be in big trouble, lol.

        • ATTS on 30/06/2025 - 12:15

          Is there a guide how to do os and data backups ?

    • AustriaBargain on 28/06/2025 - 21:20
      +3

      You only need Windows Defender and Common Sense.

    • ATTS on 30/06/2025 - 12:20

      If we suspect we have a virus but

      Windows defender full scan and off-line scan dont detect anything

      And spybot search and destroy and also comodo internet security dont detect anything

      Free malwarebyte scan didnt detect anything also

      Does it mean likely safe?

      Though One time comodo and also malwarebytes free trial of paid version blocked trojan and powershell access

      Also curious what usually happrns when your computer gets infected with a virus? Are they just able to steal all your data or something?

  • mbck on 28/06/2025 - 20:33
    +2

    Dont click random links. Dont download random things.

    Windows defender is fine.

    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:38
      +1

      Cheers. Definitely don't, nor do I open a strange email. Learnt that years ago from a friend that was in IT.

  • AussieDaddy on 28/06/2025 - 20:54
    +4

    For almost 2 decades I haven't bought anti-virus software and have been using the free Windows ones with no issues, even while sailing the high seas. As others said, as long as you don't click on suspicious links and visit trusted sites, the free Windows Defender is more than enough.

    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:57

      Thanks. I am careful about what I click on or open.

  • NeedWant on 28/06/2025 - 20:57

    I still prefer Bitdender Free Antivirus vs defender. Easier to use no need to pay

    • revheadgl on 28/06/2025 - 20:59
      +1

      I did not know they do free sub. Will definitely check it out, Thank you.

  • dcep on 28/06/2025 - 22:58
    -2

    I think Windows Defender and the free version of Malwarebytes are both passive scans , so they only picked up something after their scheduled / manual scans (could be days or weeks past after infected).

    Not real-time protection against virus/malware offered by some AV suites.

    • aub on 29/06/2025 - 01:03
      +2

      Defender is definitely active (it scans on-access and on-execute)

    • AussieDaddy on 29/06/2025 - 01:16
      +2

      Nope! Windows Defender is active. Not long ago I tried to download a cracked software from one of the major torrent sites and not only did it detect it as infected, it deleted it straight away. Not 100% sure about Malwarebytes though.

      • dcep on 29/06/2025 - 02:28
        +1

        Thanks, good to know. I stand corrected.

  • MCPokey on 29/06/2025 - 09:18
    +1

    I've been using Kaspersky for years now and generally get it dirt cheap on saveonit. It's has heaps of protection for general surfing, emails, VPN (though limited), removes crap from the PC, gaming mode and others. I use it on my phone as well and it has alerted me to do many things, including when something gets hacked and my email is compromised. I know that govs say not to use it, but I don't trust anything coming from the 5 or China.

  • Jac33au on 29/06/2025 - 10:45

    For me, I would just use defender. But I pay for eset and it's on my kids and mother in laws computers. Because I was a kid once and even with a locked down computer they will find a way to download game mods laden with viruses and i don't think I need to explain why the mother in laws pc has it. I'll just say that a single daily mail page has hundreds and hundreds of dodgy mother in law targeted ads and trackers.

  • skillet on 30/06/2025 - 18:13

    Which AV doesn't pop up bs and interrupt my work/p0rn ? The built free AV that comes with Windows.

    Anything suspicious use the free Windows Sandbox and Virustotal.com You have Windows Pro? Start exploring HyperV, spin up a burner Windows install and run all the warez pirates to your heart's content.

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