Advice Request Malware and antivirus needed?

[Annamarie]

Hello
Need advice. I have a family of 6 so 6 computers. Looking for good security, ease of use, low system impact, no bothersome adds,...

I have windows 10, 7 and Apple Mac/os

what do you recommend? None of the family members are techies. I’m a programmer by trade so that makes me the expect in their eyes!?

looking at malware bytes. Do I need both, antivirus and malware?

thank you in advance

 

[silversurfer]

Hello
Looking for good security, ease of use, low system impact, no bothersome adds,...

Just take a look to F-Secure Safe: F-Secure SAFE — Internet security for all devices

Do I need both, antivirus and malware?

Vendors just made different names of products: Anti-Virus is almost the same than Anti-Malware

 

[Kongo]

I guess you mean Anti-Malware and not malware, cause that would be rather unfavorable on your system. I personally recommend using just one real-time protection software and not a second layer of defense but thats a matter of preference. If you're looking for an AV with low system impact and solid protection then I'd recommend ESET, Bitdefender or Kaspersky. I think Bitdefender is the most user friendly and automated one out of those three which can be advantageous if your family isn't really into the computer security thing. If you just want a free AV, then simply stick with Microsoft Defender. Back to your main question: As I said I personally don't think that you need an Antivirus plus an Anti-Malware software combination in real-time, but there is nothing wrong with using software like Malwarebytes Free. You can scan the system from time to time manually and check if your Antivirus missed something.
I hope it answered your question.

 

[EndangeredPootis]

Relying on a single program to do the dirty work is not a good idea, your family need to learn common cybersecurity practices

 

[Ink]

Hello
Need advice. I have a family of 6 so 6 computers. Looking for good security, ease of use, low system impact, no bothersome adds,...

I have windows 10, 7 and Apple Mac/os

what do you recommend? None of the family members are techies. I’m a programmer by trade so that makes me the expect in their eyes!?

looking at malware bytes. Do I need both, antivirus and malware?

thank you in advance

You can start with drafting any details in your Computer Security Configuration, for example, Annamarie's Windows Config, and another one called Annamarie's Mac Config.

Details can be added over time, which will take account of any announced changes, which will also allows member to make recommendations based on the given information.

I won't close this thread - but do I recommend creating the above.

Malwarebytes for Windows is better suited as an on-demand for most users, so don't go rushing to buy Premium.

If may be suitable to buy a multi-license suite that covers all the computers. Individual set-ups can be more troublesome if you don't have time/resources to manage them.

 

[Jan Willy]

There are already wise things written here. I add one thing: stay up-to-date with your system (including drivers) and software. And above all: upgrade W.7 to W.10.

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

I have windows 10, 7 and Apple Mac/os

You should upgrade 7 to 10 as 7 is EoL since last year
Also using Andy's tools like Updates - Hard_Configurator - Windows Hardening Configurator will protect your family against 99% Threats.

looking at malware bytes. Do I need both, antivirus and malware?

Please read first about definitions. Antiviruses are protection against Malware. You don't want install Malware

 

[Annamarie]

Thank you.
I haven't upgraded to windows 10 yet because there is software that is used and will need to be replaced/upgraded .... which is not desired.
But I will need to revisit that issue. Where/how do I create a system configuration? Thank you.

 

[Kongo]

Thank you.
I haven't upgraded to windows 10 yet because there is software that is used and will need to be replaced/upgraded .... which is not desired.
But I will need to revisit that issue. Where/how do I create a system configuration? Thank you.

You have to create a new thread and choose "Computer Security Configuration".
Some more details that might help: Notice by Staff - Getting Started with Your Computer Security Configuration (2021)

 

[FireHammer]

Hi, How about Adguard Family & F-Secure or Kaspersky Total Security or Bitdefender Total Security, there are off course many others but among these, I would choose.
Kind Regards Firehammer.

 

[Dex4Sure]

Honestly, just Windows 10 alone will suffice... Windows Defender and Firewall are enough for most users. Just install uBlock Origin (for blocking ads) and maybe Decentraleyes (for unbreaking some sites that uBlock Origin breaks) on their browsers and you're good to go.

If you truly want a paid AV, go with ESET hands down. I'd never consider any other of the 3rd party AV's any longer, and I've literally tried them all many times over. ESET is super light and has arguably the best signatures + least amount of false positives.

 

[KonradPL]

Hello
I can recommend to your Mcafee Total Protection or Livesafe.
It is cheap and offers protection for 10 or even unlimited of devices with no slowdowns and pretty good protection

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Hi, How about Adguard Family & F-Secure or Kaspersky Total Security or Bitdefender Total Security, there are off course many others but among these, I would choose.
Kind Regards Firehammer.

Are you using Adguard Desktop and BTS? I started to experience slowdowns while browsing.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Do I need both, antivirus and malware?

Let me put it this way. If you need to ask, then you need one.

I do not need one, but I use one, but there is no AV running on my mom's computer, because she does not need it, it slowed it down and caused BSOD. I secured her PC, my way.

 

[FireHammer]

Are you using Adguard Desktop and BTS? I started to experience slowdowns while browsing.

Yes I do, but I don't experience any slowdowns at all

 

[Andy Ful]

Protecting family members is a challenge. Several computers together can significantly increase the chances of infection. There are some very good free solutions for security-oriented people. But, If you are not a security-oriented person, then the best solution is buying the AV (family license) which can provide several protection levels and has a very low false positives rate on default settings. Such protection can be applied by Kaspersky Internet Security (and a few other AVs). You can start with very restrictive settings like these used by @harlan4096. If these settings will be annoying for a particular family member then you can decrease the protection level for him/her. Avoid using too much aggressive security setup, because people tend to ignore or temporarily deactivate security features if these features are too much annoying.
Use the AV trial version first to see if there are no performance issues on the concrete computers.