Battle Windows Defender vs Avast Free Antivirus - which one for kids computer?

[danielsak]

Hello!
I would like to protect computer used by kids.

Operating system: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
Computer use: internet, entertainment, games, games and again games Smile
Computer specification: sufficient (4 cores, 8 GB RAM, unfortunately HDD)
Budget: only free software

I would expect Polish language version.

What do you think about built-in Windows Defender - is it a good solution?

I thought to install Unchecky, which will be protect from accidental installation of toolbars, malicious search engines and other junk.

For the browser of course I would like to install uBlock Origin to minimize the risk of clicking malicious ads and redirecting to the infected pages.

Do you recommend any extension that shows the site reputation? WOT (Web of Trust) or SiteAdvisor from McAfee or something?

Anything else?

 

[S3cur1ty 3nthu5145t]

Hello!
I would like to protect computer used by kids.

Operating system: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
Computer use: internet, entertainment, games, games and again games Smile
Computer specification: sufficient (4 cores, 8 GB RAM, unfortunately HDD)
Budget: only free software

I would expect Polish language version.

What do you think about built-in Windows Defender - is it a good solution?

I thought to install Unchecky, which will be protect from accidental installation of toolbars, malicious search engines and other junk.

For the browser of course I would like to install uBlock Origin to minimize the risk of clicking malicious ads and redirecting to the infected pages.

Do you recommend any extension that shows the site reputation? WOT (Web of Trust) or SiteAdvisor from McAfee or something?

Anything else?

As for learning curve, ease of use, Windows defender hands down is as simple as it gets. If you would like to secure the system, then place the Windows 10 account on a Local account and not Admin, in the security center in App & Browser control "provided you are on the Creators update, you can switch "Check Apps and Files" from Warn to Block. Adding Ublock to the browser is also a good idea, as you are probably aware of the multitude of filter choices, and also last but not least, back ups of the system, just in case.

This will be about as kid friendly as you can make it.

 

[Malware Person]

windows defender, hands down. it is easiest to use and requires no configuration to do, and has a decent detection rate

 

[Malware Person]

As for learning curve, ease of use, Windows defender hands down is as simple as it gets. If you would like to secure the system, then place the Windows 10 account on a Local account and not Admin, in the security center in App & Browser control "provided you are on the Creators update, you can switch "Check Apps and Files" from Warn to Block. Adding Ublock to the browser is also a good idea, as you are probably aware of the multitude of filter choices, and also last but not least, back ups of the system, just in case.

This will be about as kid friendly as you can make it.

and also listen to him. very good advice

 

[motox781]

Hands down Avast. Set Avast to 'Hardened Mode Aggressive' and add a password. This will block them from installing anything not on Avast's Whitelist.

@S3cur1ty 3nthu5145t had good advice, but checking "Allow apps from store only" will block all .exe files from the internet, which may be good or bad depending on your situation. Using a limited account would be enough (requires a password every time they try to install a program).

 

[DJ Panda]

Either one works well. You can protect Avast with a password to prevent meddling with settings. As long as the kids are using a Non-administrative account you should be fine with either one.

 

[Nightwalker]

Hands down Avast. Set Avast to 'Hardened Mode Aggressive' and add a password. This will block them from installing anything not on Avast's Whitelist.

@S3cur1ty 3nthu5145t had good advice, but checking "Allow apps from store only" will block all .exe files from the internet, which may be good or bad depending on your situation. Using a limited account would be enough (requires a password every time they try to install a program).

Perfect, Avast! hardened mode is amazing for kids computer.

 

[Huchim]

I'm agree with using a limited account, that can help a lot and don't forget to turn on detecting unwanted aplication in avast settings.

- Also I higlly reccomend you using Norton ConnectSafe: Norton ConnectSafe
Just choose the wanted restriction

You will be fine with ublock and the mentioned above

 

[novocaine]

kids are always learning, they will install something interesting for them, and therefore they are happy clicker, I would recommend Avast with hardened mode and password protected.

 

[Evjl's Rain]

WD is highly not recommended for happy clickers. People may end up regretting using it for other people. We can use it but our friends and family members may not

My obvious recommendation is Avast with hardened mode aggressive + disable windows script host via registry + bonus disable of powershell. This can be better than most AVs or most other security products without any concern

by the way, I also install unchecky and appcheck antiransomware for other PCs
appcheck or kaspersky antiransomware are recommended especially for happy clickers

EDIT: add avira browser safety for your browser
you have enough layers of protection for your kids

 

[shmu26]

For browser, Bitdefender TrafficLight, or Avira SafeSearch
Standard users account is a must, for children.
Avast hardened mode/aggressive + you need to block Windows Script Host (either by registry hack, or with Hard_Configurator GitHub - AndyFul/Hard_Configurator: GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS

 

[Deleted member 178]

in addition of using an AV : Guest account + Smartscreen set on Block

How to Create a Guest Account in Windows 10

They will have even less right than SUA , and won't be able to install anything.

 

[shmu26]

Guest account + Smartscreen set on Block

How to Create a Guest Account in Windows 10

They will have even less right than SUA , and won't be able to install anything.

But why did Microsoft take this away as a standard feature in Windows 10

 

[Deleted member 178]

Because whiners...and SUA allows more usability.

 

[hirudora56]

Avast free will be a better solution than WD. Avast browser plugin also provide a decent website rating system & tracker blocking. If you want very good parental control for free, try sophos home. Among free products it has the best website filtering IMO, beside forticlient.

 

[Winter Soldier]

Avast free + Sandboxie and at the end of the surfing session, by setting SB to automatically empty the sandbox.

But against obscene or terrifying web contents, it is always necessary the presence of the parent.

 

[Deleted member 178]

But against obscene or terrifying web contents, it is always necessary the presence of the parent.

And Norton DNS + google safesearch

 

[shmu26]

And Norton DNS + google safesearch

There is also Norton family free standalone, K9 proxy filter, Microsoft family...
Many Internet suites, such as Kaspersky, have parental protection module

 

[shmu26]

Because whiners...and SUA allows more usability.

What was there to whine about?

 

[jamescv7]

A third party antivirus will definitely exert a lot of maximum protection because of different components, hence one of the prime example is Avast Free.

With Avast Free you can maximize the protection through Hardening Mode (aggressive) which acts as Anti-Exe based, so it will block any executable which will considered unknown or malicious.

Also make the account as Limited to avoid any execution of programs when the AV bypassed.