Windows Defender: I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just...

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

For anti-virus, Defender is fine. Some of the others will beat Defender on occasional comparisons, however, Defender does not add the same (sometimes dangerous) bloat that come with other AV programs.

Also some other AV programs interfere with Windows Update.

You might think about a separate (and free) malware program like Malwarebytes 3.0.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

I gave up on Norton's and McAfee years ago. Both are resource hogs. There were times I literally had to stop working so they could finish scans. Since then, I've used nothing but Defender and I haven't had viruses/malware. I would just keep on trucking, without Norton's.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

I have two laptops with W-10, and have "Norton-360" for several years, it's a very good software. Windows Defender alone is not enough. It only costs about $54/year.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I have Xfinity also. I use the Norton and really like it. I'm no expert, but I would go with the Norton.

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The one that seems to work best for a couple of companies with which I contracted and myself is Microsoft Security Essentials. I've been using it for over 8 years and no problems. Remarkably, Microsoft actually put out a product that works. Up until then I was using AVG, which became so bloated I'd rather have run nothing. Just my 2¢. MSE is thin and doesn't affect the speed of operation of the system.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201
--Bob

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Check with a local computer store you trust, When I went to my trusted computer store asked the question they told windows defender, been using sense last September not one problem.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Tech IT people have saying for years (especially since intro of W10) that robust resource robbing anti virus programs like McAfee or Norton’s are totally unnecessary and in fact in some cases can provide a pathway for infection. A recommended alternative is Defender and an occasional scanning from one of the web based programs. If you use Malwarebytes, even its auto scanning capability should be turned off. I recently bought a new laptop. My first change was to uninstall McAfee. Norton is no better.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Most reviews indicate Defender is not sufficient and that a 3rd party program is better. I use AVG Internet Security and Malwarebytes Premium. I like AVG because it runs quietly in the background without frequent interruptions. I'm sure Norton is excellent, but I gave up on it (10 years ago) because of all its bells & whistles
Mark

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Windows defender and Malwarebytes. I have been using both for ever (it seems) and have had zero problems

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Not the answers I was expecting. I have always heard that a robust antivirus program like Norton was far superior to Windows Defender. And since it was offered free with my Comcast subscription I thought it was essentially a "no-brainer" to use it. I may start to rethink that conclusion based on this thread.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Been using MSE since it came out and ditched the rest.

I scan the web for all type of data including some iffy sites. I have not been infected once. Note that my browsers (Firefox, Chrome and Vivaldi) are all using their own free plug-ins to kill any script. Each browser is used for a specific purpose. I do not used EDGE, Explorer or any other crappy browser that call home and report my location ans well as hardware used (camera, microphone).

I also use the HOST file to kill specific identified web sites and use windows firewall (part of MSE) to limit programs to call home or use the PC w/o my knowledge.

All the other are bloat software. As Bob Said, MSE just works. MSE has a low overhead in memory and is nearly invisible when it uses the CPU.

d3200prime

saxman71 wrote:

Not the answers I was expecting. I have always heard that a robust antivirus program like Norton was far superior to Windows Defender. And since it was offered free with my Comcast subscription I thought it was essentially a "no-brainer" to use it. I may start to rethink that conclusion based on this thread.

My computer recently had the BSOD. I took it to a friend who has had a computer service and repair shop for 20+ years. He fixed the problem and said every test he performed pointed to the McAfee program as causing the BSOD and stated all paid antivirus programs were overrated and not worth the money. I asked him what anti-virus he used on his personal computer and he answered Windows Defender only. You do what you want but I thought this post might help you.

N4646W

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

Try Bit Defender free version. Works well with the MS firewall, and will also work with Malware Bites with no problems. The only time you will ever notice it is when it notifies you that a web page is unsafe, or if your network is down that it cannot update. Minimal resources used. Have been using it for several years. I run a minimum of 10 HD in my system, and scanning is done in the background and never had a problem with resources.

If you do change your AV, make sure you get the removal software from the site. There will be a lot of junk left over from Norton and AVG that will cause problems with other software.

Ron

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

will47 wrote:

I just had to switch to Xfinity and all is going pretty well. The sent me a notice today that Norton security comes with this. I have been using another (just expired). Windows Defender is now running. Is Windows Defender enough or should I download the Norton, Xfinity says is there waiting for me, or just stick with Defender? Thanks,

Norton is bloatware, and is very, very intrusive. Windows Defender is fine.