[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Antivirus software

Evie et8686 at gmail.com
Thu Mar 25 00:36:52 PST 2021 

I agree with you totally!
I belong to another computer network users group, where there are members
who are small business owners or whose customers are small business owners.
This would be a good topic for them.

Evie

On Wed, Mar 24, 2021 at 1:31 AM Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com> wrote:

> >> I did more digging, and found out "Window Defender" has 2 parts;
> Window Defender firewall (network security) and Window Defender.
>
> It's all part of the Windows 10 Security Center. What was Windows Defender
> never included the Windows Firewall. There never was anything separate
> called the Windows Defender Firewall, as far as I know.
>
> >> [quoted material] Windows Defender is very good and it's free, but to
> really protect your computer, especially if you store valuable data and
> information, you should have more protection!
>
> That depends on what you have on your computer, whether you do risky
> things while surfing the Web, and which applications you have installed,
> among a host of other variables.
>
> Malwarebytes premium works alongside of Windows Security to provide better
> protection.
>
> If you need anything more, you probably are hiding State Secrets on your
> personal PC. In which case I cannot advise on the best strategy.
>
> I am sure Bjorn Johansson is a well-qualified security professional with a
> lot of experience in enterprise security. I am equally sure his articles
> and advice do not apply to individuals running personal computers.
>
> Corporate networks have very different security concerns from individual
> stand-alone PCs. They have Internet facing servers which handle a huge
> amount of traffic from outside sources every day. And from a lot of unknown
> IP Addresses. All of this incoming traffic has to be analyzed and filtered
> in real-time to avoid issues with page loading, access to resources, etc.
> As a result, the potential volume of malicious incoming packets is vastly
> more than any of us will ever experience at home or in small to medium
> sized businesses.
>
> The result is that enterprise solutions for security need to be far more
> robust than home user antimalware software. In short, if we were to try to
> protect our PCs the way corporate network servers are protected, our
> Internet experiences would slow to a crawl, and our hardware would
> literally catch fire from the strain on resources.
>
> The response to a threat needs to be measured against the size of the
> attack surface. For home users, this attack surface area is miniscule
> compared with Internet-facing enterprise servers.
>
> So while security professionals are correct about their pronouncements for
> Enterprise users, they tend to vastly exaggerate the threats home users
> face, and end up obsessing on which security products and practices are
> better and which are best at any given moment.
>
> You can pay for "better" protection. But you will never notice the
> difference in the results, in terms of how frequently you get successfully
> attacked, and how severe the results are for your personal data.
>
> As long as you keep a couple of copies of current system and data backups
> reasonably up to date -- and NOT CONNECTED TO YOUR COMUTER! -- you should
> be able to get back up and running very swiftly if something ever goes
> wrong with your security setup. And even then, don't switch or add on just
> because of one failure. After all, we wouldn't drop Windows and go to Apple
> just because of one failed  Windows Update! Most of us (if we had the
> option) would just roll back, block the offending update and move on.
>
> At AskWoody.com and in their paid newsletter, their head expert, Susan
> Bradley makes a distinction between her recommendations for enterprise
> users vs. those for home users. So did Woody Leonhard. There's a reason
> Woody remained so popular -- he didn't fall for the antics of most
> "security experts". Or most "Office experts" Or most "Windows experts". Not
> for home users anyway.
>
> -- Bob Primak
>
>
> On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 04:21:46 PM EDT, Evie <et8686 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Info to share.....
> I did more digging, and found out "Window Defender" has 2 parts; Window
> Defender firewall (network security) and Window Defender.
> Someone described as " *Windows Defender is essentially an anti-malware
> scanner.* But in Windows 10, it has firewall capabilities through the
> Windows Defender Firewall, which is the updated version of the classic
> firewall built into the world’s most popular operating system." Anyone
> could explain this more clearly??
>
> Bjorn Johansson <https://www.safetydetectives.com/author/bjornjohansson/>,
> published below article on *January 1, 2021*
> *Is Windows Defender Good Enough in 2021? (You Won't Like the Answer)*,
> https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/windows-defender-vs-antiviruses-is-defender-enough-for-you/
> .
> He actually has done detailed and rigorous tests on Window Defender and
> other antivirus software, then ranked them on malware detection rates,
> system performance, scan speeds, overall internet security protection, and
> customer support.
> Apparently, he concluded that Window Defender is very good and it's free,
> but to really protect your computer, especially, if you store valuable data
> and information, you should have more protection!
>
> Evie
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 13, 2021 at 2:01 AM Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>  Agreed that an update on the current state of antivirus programs is a
> good topic, possibly for a potpourri meeting.
> As has been the case for many years, the Top Ten or so antivirus products
> shuffle around and have specific strengths and weaknesses, but generally
> remain in the Top Ten. The main change has been that Windows Security
> (Windows Defender) has been rated in the Top Ten or so for the past few
> years in most AV rankings.
> Also, two of the testing labs have gone out of business in the past couple
> of years. There are now at least four testing labs which release
> comparative results periodically. And the PC Mag Roundups each year.
> -- Bob Primak
>
>     On Friday, March 12, 2021, 03:59:10 PM EST, john rudy <
> jjrudy1 at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>  I am sometimes a simple person and like to take advantage of research done
> by others..
> The Computer Group depended on a presentation that Gary Patrick provided
> about every 9 months.  At the time the products were frequently changing
> and
> one that was #4 one time might be #1 the next time.  In general, if one
> chose one of the top group they remained near the top for years.
>
> At his last such presentation, maybe two years ago, he said that Defender,
> which was free, was excellent, and so I started using it.  In addition
> there
> are some products which one should run periodically such as Malwarebytes.
>
> It has been a while since this subject has been discussed at the group and
> maybe we will add it in to an upcoming potpourri
> John
>
> John Rudy
> 781-861-0402
> 781-718-8334 (cell)
> John.rudy at alum.mit.edu
>
> 13 Hawthorne Lane
> Bedford, MA  01730-1047
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: LCTG <lctg-bounces+jjrudy1=comcast.net at lists.toku.us> On Behalf Of
> Evie
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2021 3:10 PM
> To: Lex Computer Group <LCTG at lists.toku.us>
> Subject: Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Antvirus software
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> You have done it again; always provide useful analysis!
>
> By the way, how would you test antivirus software and determine which one
> is
> good or bad?
>
> Evie
>
> On Fri, Mar 12, 2021 at 3:03 PM Evie <et8686 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Good information in such a short time; thanks for sharing, appreciate
> > ya all!
> > Never too much good information though!.......Keeps them coming, please!
> >
> > I used Kaspersk for a while, a few years ago; stopped using it because
> > it's developed by a Russian company based in Russia (too many scary
> > stories about security hacking by Russians).
> > I also could not tell how good/bad the performance of Kaspersk is
> > while using the free version; never see any reports/notices posted,
> > and wondered if it works at all.
> >
> > I agree with you, Denise; I used McAfee and Norton before/a while ago,
> > and did not like them too much (don't remember exactly why, but I
> > think it was useability issues).
> > I will do more research and learn more on Avast, AVG, Window PC
> > Defender, Malwarebytes (paid version, it's on sale now, 80% off or
> $19/year).
> >
> > Evie
> >
> > On Fri, Mar 12, 2021 at 2:04 PM David Lees <joeoptics at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> I use the paid Malwarebytes on systems that I use frequently. And I
> >> use AVG free version or paid McAfee on the others.  I like
> >> Malwarebytes best, but nothing is perfect in terms of protection.
> >> It's still a case to be vigilant.
> >>
> >> David Lees
> >> From Pixel 3 XL
> >>
> >> On Fri, Mar 12, 2021, 1:26 PM Evie <et8686 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I have been using free Malwarebytes for 3 months, and looking for a
> >>> good antivirus/virus protection software (prefer free version, but
> >>> understand that free version provides only the basics).
> >>>
> >>> I found a list of the *Top 10 Best Free Antivirus Software (2021)*,
> >>> https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/best-free-antivirus;
> >>>
> >>>    1. Total AV
> >>> <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/visit/totalav>
> >>>  (a
> >>>    10-employee GB/England company)
> >>>    2. PC Protect
> >>> <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/visit/pcprotect
> >>> >
> >>>    3. McAfee <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/mcafee>
> >>>    4. Bitdefender
> >>>    <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/bitdefender>
> >>>    5. Norton <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/norton>
> >>>    6. Avast <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/avast>
> >>>    7. ScanGuard <
> https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/visit/scanguard>
> >>>    8. AVG <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/AVG>
> >>>    9. Kaspersk
> >>> <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/kaspersky
> >>> >y
> >>>    (a Russian company)
> >>>    10. Malwarebytes
> >>>
> >>> <https://www.antivirussoftwareguide.com/reviews/malwarebytes-review>
> >>>
> >>> Does anyone have any good/bad experience, 2-cent, analysis on these
> >>> antivirus softwares, or other recommendations??
> >>>
> >>> Thanks
> >>> Evie
> >>> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was
> >>> scrubbed...
> >>> URL: <
> >>> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us/attachments/20210312/6
> >>> 8204df2/attachment.html
> >>> >
> >>> ===============================================
> >>> ::The Lexington Computer and Technology Group Mailing List::
> >>> Reply goes to sender only; Reply All to send to list.
> >>> Send to the list: LCTG at lists.toku.us      Message archives:
> >>> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> >>> To subscribe: email lctg-subscribe at toku.us  To unsubscribe: email
> >>> lctg-unsubscribe at toku.us Future and Past meeting information:
> >>> http://LCTG.toku.us List information:
> >>> http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> >>> This message was sent to joeoptics at gmail.com.
> >>> Set your list options:
> >>> http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/joeoptics@gmail.com
> >>>
> >>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL:
> <
> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us/attachments/20210312/ba86dc81
> /attachment.html
> <http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us/attachments/20210312/ba86dc81/attachment.html>
> >
> ===============================================
> ::The Lexington Computer and Technology Group Mailing List::
> Reply goes to sender only; Reply All to send to list.
> Send to the list: LCTG at lists.toku.us      Message archives:
> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> To subscribe: email lctg-subscribe at toku.us  To unsubscribe: email
> lctg-unsubscribe at toku.us Future and Past meeting information:
> http://LCTG.toku.us List information:
> http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> This message was sent to jjrudy1 at comcast.net.
> Set your list options:
> http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/jjrudy1@comcast.net
>
> ===============================================
> ::The Lexington Computer and Technology Group Mailing List::
> Reply goes to sender only; Reply All to send to list.
> Send to the list: LCTG at lists.toku.us      Message archives:
> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> To subscribe: email lctg-subscribe at toku.us  To unsubscribe: email
> lctg-unsubscribe at toku.us
> Future and Past meeting information: http://LCTG.toku.us
> List information: http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> This message was sent to bobprimak at yahoo.com.
> Set your list options:
> http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/bobprimak@yahoo.com
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <
> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us/attachments/20210313/78129bca/attachment.html
> >
> ===============================================
> ::The Lexington Computer and Technology Group Mailing List::
> Reply goes to sender only; Reply All to send to list.
> Send to the list: LCTG at lists.toku.us      Message archives:
> http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> To subscribe: email lctg-subscribe at toku.us  To unsubscribe: email
> lctg-unsubscribe at toku.us
> Future and Past meeting information: http://LCTG.toku.us
> List information: http://lists.toku.us/listinfo.cgi/lctg-toku.us
> This message was sent to et8686 at gmail.com.
>
> Set your list options:
> http://lists.toku.us/options.cgi/lctg-toku.us/et8686@gmail.com
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.toku.us/private.cgi/lctg-toku.us/attachments/20210324/191a923f/attachment.html>

More information about the LCTG mailing list