Advice Request Is Windows Defender effective enough to protect?

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Between these two, which is more simple to use and configure for the less technical (or average) Windows 10 user?

OSArmor is install and forget, ERP4 needs a lot of configuration/whitelisting initially.

 

[Ink]

OSArmor is install and forget, ERP4 needs a lot of configuration/whitelisting initially.

Understood. Does it support NVT OSA support Secure Boot yet?

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Understood. Does it support NVT OSA support Secure Boot yet?

Yes, the latest beta runs great here on my laptop with secure boot.
NoVirusThanks OSArmor

 

[ForgottenSeer 72227]

Between these two, which is more simple to use and configure for the less technical (or average) Windows 10 user?

I've been using both and agree that OS Armor is much more install and forget compared to NVT ERP 4. With that said, they have be adding more features to NVT ERP 4 such as trusted vendors, allow signed processes, etc... so to me, its becoming more and more user friendly by comparison. Since using NVT ERP 4 I've only had to deal with 2 pop ups using default settings and I have been running it for about a week or so. There's also the learning mode that users can use in NVT ERP if needed as well, which they can turn off after a period of time.

 

[Sunshine-boy]

https://www.microsoft.com/videoplayer/embed/c2f20f59-ca56-4a7b-ba23-44c60bc62c59

 

[bribon77]

Let's see if you have a license from KIS and Emsisoft from my point of view I would use them. Because you have time and if you do not use it you lose the license.
Windows Defender is always there and does not expire.

 

[oldschool]

Between these two, which is more simple to use and configure for the less technical (or average) Windows 10 user?

OSArmor, hands-down winner in usability. More experience is required to use ERP 4.

VoodooShield easier than either of them. All 3 together = definite overlap & overkill!

 

[show-Zi]

I think that users who have good knowledge can use Windows Defender effectively. In other words, they carefully select software like parts to build security. Defender is useful as a part.

 

[Dave Russo]

Why not use one of the Licenses,You can always go back to windows

 

[RoboMan]

Hard_Configurator's WD can be really effective, yes.

On it's own, no.

 

[plat]

Is Windows Defender good enough? This is very subjective and depends on your threat model and computer hardware. I would use Defender only in conjunction with OS hardening tools like group policy (I have it in Windows 10 Home) and NoVirusThanks software (SH, OSA). Only then am I comfortable with Windows Defender.

Can't stand the bloat from unneeded/unused features in third party suites nor system slowdowns from too much real-time. To me it's about hardening and virtualizing what's already in place. Maybe look into using them up first, they're both good software. Or give a license to a friend. Edit: I take too much time proof-reading, then someone posts something I posted so, boom! Have to post in a hurry, otherwise I look like a shameless copycat.

 

[bribon77]

Yes, but WD is not light, in some cases it is heavier than some third party AVs.
I also don't like the swelling of some suites.

 

[LDogg]

I'd agree on the basis that it's coupled with Configure Defender w/ H_C or Syshardener alongside OSA or VDS with a Firewall Component. Maybe OSA or VDS are not needed, down the users knowledge and preference I reckon.

~LDogg

 

[Bikeman0I17]

Been sticking with Avast Free here on all household systems, did try Defender for a while on my newer Intel I7 and Intel I7 Laptop, found it to be still slow, still took ages to scan the system the first time.

Who knows what i'll decide to do when 1903 Launches, if I wanna give it a shot with a fully clean system once again, or just reinstall Avast Free from get go, and just enjoy my system with gaming, and other tasks

 

[novocaine]

the question is relative to the user habit. if you have no sense in recognizing harmful sites or if you dont know how to install something like clicking accept, install, agree, always, then WD is not enough for you.

but if you know what sites which is safe to visit and if you can install and avoid additional software or bloatware, then WD is enough for you and not just WD but every AV is enough for you. not to mention the signature shall be always updated

 

[Bikeman0I17]

My Habits are to read each and every install, Only install what needed or use the most these days, usually visit the same sites--MalwareTips, some other PC tech sites, local news, local news paper at times, ublock origin adblocker in place on Edge and Chrome (Edge used 90 percent of the time, Chrome 10 percent).

Weekly scans with Malwarebytes

Adwcleaner monthly

Always using standard user account for day to day activites (With Microsoft account)

Local Admin account for admin tasks

Thinks maybe safe enough if I choose to use WD it seems to me

 

[oldschool]

My Habits are to read each and every install, Only install what needed or use the most these days, usually visit the same sites--MalwareTips, some other PC tech sites, local news, local news paper at times, ublock origin adblocker in place on Edge and Chrome (Edge used 90 percent of the time, Chrome 10 percent).

Weekly scans with Malwarebytes

Adwcleaner monthly

Always using standard user account for day to day activites (With Microsoft account)

Local Admin account for admin tasks

Thinks maybe safe enough if I choose to use WD it seems to me

Yes, if this is how you use your computer, WD will prove more than sufficient.

 

[shmu26]

Windows Defender is meant to work together with the other built-in Windows security features, such as SmartScreen. It is part of Windows.
If you don't try to bypass SmartScreen, such as by downloading cracks in rar files, then Windows Defender will keep you safe.
If you want super-safe, then tweak Windows Defender. The easiest way to do that is with Andy Ful's ConfigureDefender.

 

[Ink]

OSArmor, hands-down winner in usability. More experience is required to use ERP 4.

VoodooShield easier than either of them. All 3 together = definite overlap & overkill!

I used NVT OSArmor for about a month, before uninstalling. I do however have SysHardener installed.

 

[monkeylove]

In general, I use the free version of the best AV overall, and then other software (also, free) to supplement it. For example, free versions of

Avast (because it seemed that file and web browsing was slower for the other AVs)
MalwareBytes and now Zemana (for offline scanning)
SphinxSoft Windows Firewall Control

and for the browser

uBlock Origin
NoScript

and a few others.

Although the point about good habits is notable, it sometimes isn't enough. For example, I read that ads in legitimate sites might have some sort of malware, which means you can still be affected even if you do safe browsing.

Finally, I use free versions because I found out that sometimes some AVs tend to do well at present and then slow down or become less reliable with some new version or patch in the OS. With that, I can choose to move to another AV or security program, use more than one, etc.