Windows 10 and 3rd party AV

RepairandRestore

RepairandRestore

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Hello boys and girls,

I`m observing multiple issues with Windows 10 and any 3rd party AV software apart than MalwareBytes.

There are multiple problems with the migration from previous version of Windows to 10 with installed 3rd AV.

I`ve seen SSD hard drive locked after such migration due one drive bug.

However I would like to know what is your opinion on this matter should I recommend to all of my clients to remove the 3rd party AV and use Windows 10 defender ?

I know everywhere they claim the defender is the best at the moment, but still hard to convince long term 3rd party software users to go and remove the AV they was using in years.

Will be awesome to get some experts option on this matter.

Many thanks,
Andy
 
I know everywhere they claim the defender is the best at the moment
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Oh? I know of no where that claims Windows Defender is the "best". It is, however (and contrary to what many would like us to believe), good enough for most users and is what I use on all my systems - with no issues.

My general advice as to the choice of anti-malware products is to use what you are happy with - if already using a 3rd party program. So for fresh installs of W8/W10, I say give WD a try. If already using a 3rd party and not happy with it, give WD a try.

That said, regardless your anti-malware program of choice, you should have a secondary scanner just to make sure you (the user and always weakest link in security) or your anti-malware solution didn't let something slip by. I use Malwarebytes Antimalware (MBAM)for that.

So far, since using W8 with WD (and now W10 with WD) and W7 with MSE before that, MBAM has not found anything.
 
Windows Defender is good enough for lots of people - especially if you practice safe browsing habits and don't click on everything recklessly.

However, it's by no means the best. It's a lot better than nothing and I'm glad Microsoft include it by default but isn't going to catch as many things as lots of 3rd party anti-virus. I'm not making this up either - it's been shown in almost all lab tests. You can read more about test results here: AV-Comparatives Summary-Report December 215 - AV-Comparatives, here: Test antivirus software for Windows 1 - October 215 | AV-TEST and here: Virus Bulletin :: VB1.

Personally, when it comes to free 3rd party A/V, my current choices are Avast!, Avira and Panda. Again, they're not perfect but they will give you better protection than Windows Defender.

For paid products, I recommend ESET NOD32/ESET Smart Security, but Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Kaspersky are both good options.

There are lots of opinions out there about Anti-Virus products, and many people swear passionately by their favourite. But really, the best way to prevent viruses is to practice safe browsing habits. Don't open spam emails and don't click random links

-Stephen
 
I`m observing multiple issues with Windows 10 and any 3rd party AV software apart than MalwareBytes.
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This is because Malwarebytes is an Antimalware, not an Antivirus.

There are multiple problems with the migration from previous version of Windows to 10 with installed 3rd AV.
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It's always recommended to uninstall your security software before upgrading your Windows. Always been the case.

I know everywhere they claim the defender is the best at the moment, but still hard to convince long term 3rd party software users to go and remove the AV they was using in years.
Click to expand...

Like Digerati said, I don't know where is "everywhere", but you can be sure that Windows Defender isn't the best out there. Windows Defender is used as the comparison point for Antivirus and Antimalware benchmark tests, and all of them scores higher than it. In that situation, how can it be "the best"?
 
Thank you so much for your answers.

I`m asking strictly for Windows 10 I`m using windows 8 with ESET corporate and I`m really happy with it.

But I have performed lab test with Virtual machines.

All of the machines are installed with Windows 10 Pro and have the same hardware specification.

Once I start installing different AV products on the different machines for performance test, I start to see multiple bugs with the machines.

On some of the VM`s random problems occur, from bugged metro to locking permission and services.

I don`t want to post the specific AV with the problem occur as this might be bad advertisement :) .

However recently I build my own opinion to remove the 3rd party AV (exuding the antimalware solutions).

I`m sure WD is the best for sure but I was reading the AV reviews, unfortunately there is pure marketing.

Just need you to support my opinion about removing Windows 10 3rd party AV.

Thank you.
 
This is because Malwarebytes is an Antimalware, not an Antivirus.
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That is not really correct. Years ago, maybe. But not today. And admittedly, this is really a confusing issue. The fact of the matter is, malware includes viruses - just like it includes worms, Trojans, root-kits, or any other malicious software. So while malware does not have to be a virus, a virus is still malware. And MBAM seeks out and blocks viruses too, just as Avira Antivirus seeks out "all types of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware".

Viruses, Spyware, and Malware | Information Systems & Technology
What are malware, viruses, Spyware, and cookies, and what differentiates them ? | Symantec Connect
What Is the Difference: Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Bots? - Cisco
Malware and viruses – What’s the difference? | Emsisoft Blog
Malwarebytes | What's the difference between antivirus and anti-malware?

As Malwarebytes' own article above notes, the main difference, in terms of definitions boils down marketing, and what consumers are used to hearing. So the problem is marketing weenies - even MBAM's (which is by far, one of my favorite programs). I know of no security program today that looks for just viruses. They all look for all sorts of malware. So for Malwarebytes to "suggest" they look for things anti-virus programs don't is really just marketing fluff. What makes MBAM standout is the way it looks for malware - not what malware it looks for.
 
Sadly, Malwarebytes cannot be considered a real Antivirus, because it doesn't target a lot of file extensions (like PDF, Word, PowerPoints, etc.) while Antivirus does, and it doesn't deal with file infectors such as Ramnit. So Malwarebytes is still an Antimalware program, and cannot be considered a true Antivirus program.
 
Your comments would actually put MBAM and Windows Defender in a similar category. And I actually agree with that. Note according to that MBAM article, viruses are considered "legacy" threats. Microsoft announced a couple years ago, first with MSE, then its sibling, WD, that Microsoft would not attempt to compete with other solutions (and tailor MSE/WD) to score well in the synthetic scenarios used in those test labs. Instead, WD would constantly evolve to confront current threats. And because WD is constantly (several times a day in many cases) updated via Windows Update, it can do it. And in fact it does it well - otherwise, there would be 10s (100s?) of millions of infected systems out there. But that is just not the case.

I've said it before but I think it bears repeating; we don't need to drive around in an Abrams tank to be safe. What we do need to do is keep our systems properly maintained (updated) and "drive defensively". That is, don't be click-happy on unsolicited links, downloads, and attachments - things we need to do regardless our security program of choice. And, as I said above, periodically scan with a supplement scanner just to be sure. And MBAM is great for that. But don't be surprised if it finds nothing but a couple PUPs.

If you are the only user of your computer, you keep it updated and you don't click on every link you see, WD is just fine. If you have multiple users of your computer and some of them are invincible teenagers, then layer yourself up with a 3rd party app, or two.

And again, W10 is not XP. It really is a lot harder to accidently infect W10 than it was to infect XP.
 
Hi all

Just a note on virtual environments & antivirus testing:

I'm not sure that the results in a virtual environment are going to reflect accurately on the experience in a normal environment. Some antivirus modules install drivers at the lower levels, expecially those intended to block/detect rootkits (for example, Avast has a module that used to be detected as a rootkit by other scanners - it is, of course, a module meant to find, prevent, and allow removal of rootkits). An antivirus program has to jump a few different performance hurdles in a virtual environment, too, which could likely skew the results... with time-outs leading to unpredictability.

At any rate: my vote is also in favor of removing antivirus protection during an upgrade .... but for security's sake, I'd use a Windows 10 DVD to install the systems offline ... then either go with Windows Defender, or whatever preferred antivirus program desired ... and only reconnect the system to networks/Internet once the protection is in place.

It might be overkill, but it keeps the customers safer.
 
.... but for security's sake, I'd use a Windows 10 DVD to install the systems offline ... then either go with Windows Defender, or whatever preferred antivirus program desired ... and only reconnect the system to networks/Internet once the protection is in place.

It might be overkill, but it keeps the customers safer.
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I used to do all my installs offline, but no longer. After many 100s of installs, I never encountered an infection. So I just find it easier to be on-line, especially with W10. Networking gets setup (it even finds and configures your network printers). Now I must point out this is on "my" network where I know my other connected devices are not infected.
 
Well considering the fact no software can protect you if you click "OK" and "Accept" to anything a front of they eyes.

I totally agree with the thesis WD and MalwareBytes.

I see no reason to send the client paying for something like the heavier solutions like Vipre or WebRoot.

Those solution remind me to the ZoneAlarm :lol:
 
RepairandRestore said:
Those solution remind me to the ZoneAlarm :lol:
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Funny you mention that. ZA was my preferred firewall with XP - until they starting strong-arming users to their bloated security suite. I've been using Windows Firewall since W7 came out. I would have used it with Vista, except I never migrated to Vista.
 

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