Do i have antivirus protection on my computer

For many good reasons: Vulnerabilities: The nature of how antivirus apps provide protection is a problem. Performance: Antivirus software is notorious for slowing down computers , blocking the best security features of other apps such as in the Firefox and Chrome browsers , popping up with distracting reminders and upsells for subscriptions or updates, and installing potentially insecure add-ons such as browser extensions without clearly asking you for permission.

Privacy: Free antivirus software has all of the above problems and adds privacy concerns. Good security is not free, and free-to-download apps are more likely to collect data about your computer and how you use it and to sell your private browsing data , as well as to install browser extensions that hijack your search and break your security and add an advertisement to your email signature.

Two caveats to our recommendation: If you have a laptop provided by your work, school, or another organization, and it has antivirus or other security tools installed, do not uninstall them. Organizations have systemwide security needs and threat models that differ from those of personal computers, and they have to account for varying levels of technical aptitude and safe habits among their staff. People with sensitive data to protect medical, financial, or otherwise , or with browsing habits that take them into riskier parts of the Internet, have unique threats to consider.

Our security and habit recommendations are still a good starting point, but such situations may call for more intense measures than we cover here. Windows Defender is mostly good enough.

Particularly when it comes to malware , with Mac threats tending to be the likes of potentially unwanted programs known as PUPs or adware. The vast majority of the really malicious stuff is hurled at Windows machines. Note that other security outfits have pointed to a growth in malware over the course of , like Kaspersky.

I started using it from Windows 8. So, I think 'Windows Defender' is all you need on your laptop. And since it's Windows 10, you'll be getting different important updates required for making your computer secure, so Windows Defender would be enough to protect your data.

Was this reply helpful? Choosing an Anti-Virus Program. Protect your PC - Windows Help. Is Windows Defender Good Enough? Configure Windows Defender in Windows 8, 8. And you can, of course, learn how to make the best of some portable options like ClamWin Portable, Spybot.

For more, you can read this post. Better still, one of those programs can maintain your system performance as well. For more, you can view this thread.

I think that when a program is installed on a system, the viruses and other malware are specifically looking for a program to attack, they seem to be written so to bypass the Windows Defender , with out any disruptions. If its not there , It cant be found, therefore, just by passes in a quiet sort of way. I didn't have attacks when I was just using Windows Defender. Also sometime it acts like bate to a fish.. That's why picking an antivirus program for its extras may be misguided at best and dangerous at worst.

Security practices are generally stronger for software that's closer to a company's core business than for bolt-on features that aren't directly connected, Anghaie explained. For example, 1Password will probably do a better job than a password manager built into antivirus software. Ultimately, security is nearly as much about your digital hygiene as it is the antivirus software you use.

If you have weak, oft-used passwords or are slow to install patches and updates, you're leaving yourself vulnerable — and for no good reason. The bottom line: Some antivirus software is better than no antivirus software, and while there may be reasons to pay for additional protection, running a free or built-in program while also improving your own security habits can greatly boost your overall digital security.

Emily Long is a Utah-based freelance writer who covers consumer technology, privacy and personal finance for Tom's Guide. When she's not working, you can find her trail running, teaching and practicing yoga, or studying for grad school — all fueled by coffee, obviously.