Best Antivirus

[Pipann]

Actually didn't know that was the reason Malwarebytes doesn't conflict with Defender. Very interesting! Yeah I do use the free version. Occasionally it updates and drops a pro trial on my PC for 2 weeks, but I honestly just get annoyed that it then keeps bugging me by reminding me constantly that my (not asked for) trial ends soon.

[Elite Piranha]

When using Kaspersky, some of the reminders can be disabled from the notifications center, however from time to time a message will still appear telling me one of the things I could do if I switch to the paid version (like a tool that automatically checks for updates for programs installed on your PC and automatically installs them if available).

It is annoying, but I guess it can't be helped when you use this kind of software.

[PluMGMK]

Speaking of antivirus, the eponymous McAfee died in jail yesterday

[Hunchman801]

He was quite the man! I liked reading about his escapades in the news, so I feel a little sad that such a colorful character is no longer with us.

The bastard didn't eat his dick, though.

[Steo]

I heard about this too the other day, then it even took me a while to be sure it was true since for some reason people tend to spread rumours that a famous person passed away.

[dr_st]

Well, at least Peter Norton is still alive. Let's wish him good health.

[Elite Piranha]

I've read that in some cases having a 3rd party antivirus can mess up with the internet connection, I wonder if someone has experienced this problem.

[PluMGMK]

Wouldn't surprise me, at least the security programs that include firewall functions

[Steo]

I just remember that back when I used to want antivirus, my computers were so bad that it made them slow and unusable. Windows days though, back when I had really crappy computers. Now I just use Linux and antivirus to me is basically non existent.

[dr_st]

I just use Windows and antivirus to me is basically non-existent. Well, there's that built-in Windows Defender, I guess.

[Elite Piranha]

Yeah, it sucks that some computers can't even handle a 3rd party antivirus. I know that Kaspersky has options to help with this problem, like being able to disable background scanning or the gaming mode that stops scan/update tasks and notifications when playing or working with applications in full-screen mode, but I wonder if that's enough to solve all the perfomance issues.

[Steo]

I'm sure Linux could still get viruses too but Windows is definitely more prone to it since the majority of people use it.

[Elite Piranha]

Sometime ago I got a subscription to McAfee as a gift and it comes with a VPN; I read it can be used for safer torrenting and do things like access content that is not available in your country. The thing that I really dislike about the antivirus is that it consumes a lot of resources, but I don't want to remove it because it was a gift and because of the VPN.

I was surprised when someone told me that, even if they could get McAfee for free, they rather not use it and stay with Microsoft Defender, I wonder if others share the same view.

[dr_st]

I was surprised when someone told me that, even if they could get McAfee for free, they rather not use it and stay with Microsoft Defender, I wonder if others share the same view.

I think this view is becoming more and more popular.

The companies selling antivirus software are fighting a tough battle. Their income relies on products which are hard (and expensive) to, are fundamentally limited in what they can help you with, and steal resources from the user, which makes the user dislike the products. Every year it gets tougher to convince people that they should buy an antivirus.

All these free subscriptions expire eventually and the hope is that you'll get used to the tool / dependent on it, and will start paying for extending your subscription. Some antiviruses, at least in the past, would let you continue use the base tool, but the virus databases would stop being updated. Not sure any of them still do it today.

There are ways to get a VPN that do not come bundled with a whole bunch of other tools.