Charles,

This is what I replied to your earlier question (May 20):

In my professional opinion, I would not bother installing any anti-malware on an up-to-date Windows system.  The built-in Windows Security/Defender (whatever they are calling it these days) is just as good as any third-party tool (which is to say, only moderately good) and stays "out of the way" much more than any third-party product.  Most of those products cause more problems than they solve.  What you should do is have your "daily driver" account NOT be an admin.  Have a separate admin account that is only used for updating or making system-level changes.  

Between a separate admin account and keeping your MS products and browsers updated, you are already protected 95%.  The next 4.5% is your ability to recognize social engineering and the last bit is the anti-malware software (of any branding).

Erich



On Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 12:06, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed:

> My esteemed listmates,
> 
> I thought I;d osted tsi question earlier this year but it's been crazy
> busy developing MakerSpace, preparing and doing dog and pony shows re:
> it. teaching 3d Printer basics, along with all the other tasks at the
> library I've lost track of this.
> 
> I've used avast and malwarebytes for years but a Linux guy shared that
> he installed Malwarebytes his Windows PC and when he uninstalled with
> Revie Uninstalled he couldn't remove all the Malwarebytes files.
> 
> He's now using clamv (sp).
> 
> It was also suggested ....
> 
> Anti-virus: Windows 10, 11 have built-in AV protection. Activate it.
> Also set up the Windows Firewall, and modify it for your purposes (may need
> on-site help with that).
> 
> On my newest refurbished laptop running W10 I;ve never activated any
> built-in AV.
> 
> How doe soen fdn and do that?
> 
> Regarding the Firewall ... isn't it just set to On by Default?
> 
> Do these Windows protection compare favorably to Bitdefender?
> 
> Are they better than avast, AVG, Malwarebytes?
> 
> It's become rather complex as these applications gather all your data,
> sell it and track you.
> 
> Is Duck Duck Go the only application which doesn't track you or sell
> your data?
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Charles.
> 
> Charlotte County Public Library