Don’t Buy Antivirus Software for Your Windows 8 Computer

[Christian Networking]

As an in home computer tutor here in Honolulu Hawaii , I’m often called to setup new computers for Oahu residents and businesses. Many of these big box electronic stores make more money by selling you a security or antivirus software package with your new computer whether it needs antivirus software or not!


Why Is This a Big Secret?


When the distributors discovered Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system was going to be released with good, built in antivirus software, they got upset. You see, the distributors make a lot of money getting companies such as Mcafee and Norton to buy contracts to have their antivirus software preinstalled. One big box electronic store makes a habit of selling Kaspersky to all new computer users. Most computer users haven’t got a clue what comes with Windows 8, they rely on the honesty of the electronic store selling the computer users the antivirus software package.


NEVER ONCE have I heard anyone say,


“Now Windows 8 already comes with built in antivirus software, but you can buy this if you like.”


NO! All I ever hear them do is try to sell the antivirus package as though it was a must for protection of your Windows 8 computer!


To Activate Windows Defender in Windows 8


Uninstall the trial version for whatever antivirus software the distributor had contracted.

Restart the computer

Check the Action Center to make sure Windows Defender Activated.


That’s it!


I could go into a few more tricks and tips of course, but the main concept here is STOP PAYING FOR SOMETHING YOU DON’T NEED!!


About The Author




J. Richard Kirkham is an in home computer tutor here in Honolulu Hawaii and one of the best computer virus removal specialists on Oahu. He is the author of The Ultimate Virus Removal Toolkit and Instructions

 

[C-Man]

Windows Defender isn't bad, but relying on that alone is like locking your front door and leaving your back door standing open.

 

[Christian Networking]

There's a lot of additional security procedures that can be added, but I'll byte what would you do?

Rick

 

[C-Man]

I use Avast as my main anti-virus program, and run an occasional scan with Malwarebytes. They've both caught several things.

Windows Defender never caught a single thing.

 

[Christian Networking]

Avast is a very power and free antivirus software program. I love the Browser Addon removal feature. It's a little in your face for most of my computer clients, but I do use it along with other security adjustments when a computer client has had several attacks. Malywarebytes is well established tool which comes highly recommended.

Good job,

Rick

 

[WalksWithChrist]

I've been using AVG for years. Why people insist on paying for antivirus is beyond me.

 

[paul1149]

It's a little in your face for most of my computer clients

That's my problem with almost all the AVs. They're too obtrusive. Even my fave, Avast, has too much of a learning curve. After seeing the simplicity of MSE, now Defender, I wouldn't go back.

But some people need the extra hand-holding and protection the larger progs offer, so the trade-off in resources and convenience is a good one for them. One size does not fit all.

 

[Christian Networking]

I've been using AVG for years. Why people insist on paying for antivirus is beyond me.

Even Avg has gotten a little to in your face. When it used to be my favorite I had all my in home and office computer clients here in Honolulu Hawaii using AVG antivirus software. Then, one by one, I had to go make a few housecalls to change your home page from the AVG search engine. After that I begin using Microsoft Security Essentials and continue to use that for anything Windows 7 or below. For Windows 8, I usually uninstall the bloatware and activate Window Defender.

Rick

 

[Christian Networking]

I'd like to add probably 50% of my computer virus removal calls are because the computer client let the subscription run out on the paid antivirus software.

Rick

 

[Yoseft]

I work in a call center with 700 people for the last 18 years as a computer tech, by
His Grace.

Many ask me for help and I bring their box home and 99 % have let the subscription run out.

They are plagued with so much ad-ware and junk.

A few were so infected that only a system restore would help.

I use a Western Digital My Passport and back up their docs, favorites, etc 1st.

I load the free Avira on most that do not have the money for anti-virus and also Malwarebyte.

I myself had Bitdefender, now I have Kaspersky.

Many times I have seen that Windows Defender has failed people on Windows 7 and 8.

** Update seems that PCMAG has rated Bitdefender Free the best for 2014.

Perhaps I will move to that for my next "free" download for those that cannot afford
to buy a good anti-virus.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

 

[paul1149]

Thanks. I take AV reviews with a grain of salt, but it does interest me that Bitdefender is resource sensitive, as I work on a lot of netbooks. I've been noticing lately how MSE has been getting more and more demanding of the systems. I've downloaded BD and will give it a spin.

 

[Christian Networking]

The article itself was a little confusing as to why it felt Bitdefender was best, but I clicked on the Bitdefender article and found it intesting. I'm curious to check out their rescue disk and I often get calls on that FBI/MoneyPak virus.

Thanks for that info

Rick

 

[Yoseft]

I in no way say I am an expert.

I just assist people at work as that is my talent given to me by HIM.

Bless His Holy Name!

I am doing two of them tonight after work.

I will let you all know about Bitdefender free edition.

 

[paul1149]

I was all set to praise bitdefender free, or at least wanted to. I just installed it on a Lenovo x100e W7 netbook. The prog takes the simplicity concept to absurd lengths. Maybe I'm just up too far past my bedtime, but I see no way to do manual scans (save via the context menu in explorer). And you have to register using your email within 30 days to keep using it.

Another I might try again is Panda Cloud.

 

[Christian Networking]

Well you have to register Avast and Windows Defender is practically impossible to setup automatic scans.

Rick

 

[Yoseft]

I was all set to praise bitdefender free, or at least wanted to. I just installed it on a Lenovo x100e W7 netbook. The prog takes the simplicity concept to absurd lengths. Maybe I'm just up too far past my bedtime, but I see no way to do manual scans (save via the context menu in explorer). And you have to register using your email within 30 days to keep using it.

Another I might try again is Panda Cloud.

Good feedback on Bitdefender.

I share a thought for contemplation for all.

Nothing is "free"

I imagine the developers want ones email for possibly two reasons.

1. So they can send you ads to upgrade to the full version.

2. To sell your email to spammers.

That is why (do not laugh) I have an AOL email account, and my ISP
providers email.

I freely give all the spammers the AOL one and attempt to keep my ISP one
reserved for family only.

 

[paul1149]

That's a good point about "free". I often think about that as I'm doing MS's "free" updates. "Free" is often a business strategy.

I stopped using Avast because it is too complicated, and because the registration interferes with my resale of laptops. I consider AVG worse.

I loaded Panda onto the Win7 machine last night, and so far am quite pleased with it. It ran very light, which would be a great boon to netbooks, and the interface is quite workable. I've heard the effectiveness is pretty good. I'm not sure of the cloud business though - seems like hype. But if the end result is good I'd be willing to go with it.

 

[Christian Networking]

Let me know how Panda is, last time I found computer clients using it on their computer it pretty much an open window to viruses. If that has changed it would be a nice option to add to my repertoire.

Rick

 

[Jonathan Jarvis]

I had a problem last week with a virus. I have free AVG on my PC running with XP.

I had an email from my statutory regulator saying my firm had a serious complaint made against me.

It said see attachment for the complaint details. The attachment was a word template doc that asked me to disable the macro to read. I could not read the attachment so I contacted the regulator.

You guessed it, they told me the email was from a spammer and had a virus attached. A scan by AVG did not find it.

It took about an hour to find the .exe file. Then I could not delete it. So I had to download unlocker to clear it.

You live and learn.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Even Avg has gotten a little to in your face. When it used to be my favorite I had all my in home and office computer clients here in Honolulu Hawaii using AVG antivirus software. Then, one by one, I had to go make a few housecalls to change your home page from the AVG search engine. After that I begin using Microsoft Security Essentials and continue to use that for anything Windows 7 or below. For Windows 8, I usually uninstall the bloatware and activate Window Defender.

Rick

AVG is more in-your-face with the notices and ads than it used to be. And you do have to be careful with the browser highjacking. You'd think your AV software wouldn't do that.