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Why is Antivirus Software Still a Thing? (vice.com)
Antivirus has been around for more than 20 years. But do you still need it to protect yourself today? From a report: In general, you probably do. But there are caveats. If you are worried about your iPhone, there's actually no real antivirus software for it, and iOS is engineered to make it extremely difficult for hackers to attack users, especially at scale. In the case of Apple's computers, which run MacOS, there are fewer antiviruses, but given that the threat of malware on Mac is increasing ever so slightly, it can't hurt to run an AV on it. If you have an Android phone, on the other hand, an antivirus does not hurt -- especially because there have been several cases of malicious apps available on the Google Play Store. So, on Android, an antivirus will help you, according to Martijn Grooten, the editor of trade magazine Virus Bulletin.
When it comes to computers running Windows, Grooten still thinks you should use an AV. "What antivirus is especially good at is making decisions for you," Grooten told Motherboard, arguing that if you open attachments, click on links, and perhaps you're not too technically savvy, it's good to have an antivirus that can prevent the mistakes you may make in those situations. For Grooten and Simon Edwards, the founder of SE Labs, a company that tests and ranks antivirus software, despite the fact that Windows' own antivirus -- called Defender -- is a good alternative, it's still worth getting a third-party one. "Even if [Defender] wasn't the best and it isn't the best, it's is still a lot better than having nothing," Edwards told Motherboard. Yet, "we do see a benefit in having paid for AV product."
When it comes to computers running Windows, Grooten still thinks you should use an AV. "What antivirus is especially good at is making decisions for you," Grooten told Motherboard, arguing that if you open attachments, click on links, and perhaps you're not too technically savvy, it's good to have an antivirus that can prevent the mistakes you may make in those situations. For Grooten and Simon Edwards, the founder of SE Labs, a company that tests and ranks antivirus software, despite the fact that Windows' own antivirus -- called Defender -- is a good alternative, it's still worth getting a third-party one. "Even if [Defender] wasn't the best and it isn't the best, it's is still a lot better than having nothing," Edwards told Motherboard. Yet, "we do see a benefit in having paid for AV product."
You are correct. But those are the things that break applications. When I did consulting for small businesses in 1990's and 2000's, the most common "hard" problem I found was antivirus software interfering with the system. I saw them silently block file shares, DHCP requests, email attachments, and CD burner applications, break SSL connections and backup software, even screw-up the system time. The system cleaners constantly broke Microsoft office. I would often uninstall the Symantec SuperDuper Network Security Pro that they paid a monthly subscription for, and install a cheap or even free antivirus package that had a simple daily scan.
Windows Defender is exactly what we need. Block applications from injecting themselves into the startup and adding shell extensions, and scan files for viruses. If you want web protection, 90% of that can be gained with an ad blocker. Even if it breaks a few sites it can be easily disabled.
That depends, I go by this simple formula "If user is not clueless then Defender, if clueless then Comodo AV". The reason why is simple...I have never seen Windows Defender do diddly squat against those FB malware links that clueless users will often get while Comodo AV shuts those suckers down.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.