Privacy concern Anti Virus software for Windows?

[RosalieLee]

What are, in your opinion, best AV software for Windows computers that focuses heavily on privacy and do not "spy" on you or collects your data.
Also among those, what are good at actually defending against online threats such as ..well..viruses and such?

 

[davehc]

All Antivirus programs , in order to be efficient, need to go back to source -internet or the distributer, in order to keep the definitions up to date. This can be a frequent occurrence. There is no guarantee, therefore, that you are not being "Spied" on, whatever there sales promises.
I am happy with the built in Defender, and the occasional scan with the free Malware bytes. I do not go on porn or doubtful sites, and have never had any serious issues with my method.
They all, mostly, use the same dbase of old and new viruses, and, whilst there can be differences in the method of scanning, will under most circumstances produce the same results. - Only my opinion!

 

[Wolfie]

I too use Windows Defender (built-in AV for windows 10), you can look on AV appraisal sites and they will all promise you the Earth but they will (most likely) have some sort of spyware up to and including Windows Defender.

Windows Defender uses very little in the way of system resources and doesn't get in the way which is also why I like it.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Hands down....Norton...back in the day Norton was lite on the system, great at it's job and nothing more. Then it was bought out by Symantec and became this resource hog due to bloatware and background usage. Now Norton has teamed up with Life Lock with a VPN. I've tried the trail version and to my surprise it was as if I had the old Norton back. Wishful thinking or coincidence....IDK.

If I was going to go the paid route....I'd go back to Norton. But, since MS offers Defender as free and built into Windows 10....I stay with that. It's free and does a pretty darn good job.

 

[T_J]

I've used McAfee products for 8 years on my 2012 Dell Windows 10 desktop with ZERO problems (online - shopping, banking, health insurance, and investing). I purchase a McAfee product annually from Amazon, so don't use Auto-Renew. I don't use McAfee for VPN or on smartphone (I have AT&T flip phone).

Other features I like - informs user of available updates for installed apps; secure file shredding; McAfee software does the work & I don't have to do anything.

 

[Wolfie]

Do not believe the following website which claims that TotalAv is the best, whenever you click on this site (regardless of the year), TotalAv is always the best so go figure!. A search for TotalAV reviews will give you an idea of what their app is about!.

https://top10antivirus.review/

The following website is reliable and can be trusted!. (Windows Defender is slowly getting there!).

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

 

[poorguy]

I am happy with the built in Defender, and the occasional scan with the free Malware bytes. I do not go on porn or doubtful sites, and have never had any serious issues with my method.

Yep built in Defender and free Malware Bytes and Firefox browser with DuckDuckGo and DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials and Ublock Origin zero problems ever.

I'm not going to lie and don't need an explanation either and I do go on porn sites and questionable sites and have never had any issues.

If you're worried about privacy that went out the door the day the WWW started and you agreed to the terms and entered onto it.

No matter what kind of privacy you think you've created or have doesn't exist these days.

90% of the bad stuff that gets into / onto your computer you let in / allow in by the websites you visit.

The only virus I ever had I let in by opening an attachment and BAM to late that fast done deal.

 

[monkeylove]

This article refers to Emsisoft:

Is Your Antivirus Software Spying on You?

This guide examines the privacy implications of major antivirus software vendors. The findings are alarming.

restoreprivacy.com

 

[Wolfie]

Hi monkeylove,

Emsisoft are just another AV app security company, they will pick holes in the opposition just like the opposition will too.

Emsisoft - Award-Winning Anti-Malware & Anti-Virus Software

Emsisoft delivers robust and proven endpoint security solutions with next generation technology, designed for organizations of all sizes.

www.emsisoft.com

What is odd is it doesn't show up on the list of available AV apps or is it using a different name?.

Test antivirus software for Windows 10 - August 2024

The current tests of antivirus software for Windows 10 from August 2024 of AV-TEST, the leading international and independent service provider for antivirus software and malware.

www.av-test.org

 

[JustinC]

If you want to keep a foot's difference from threats and viruses, you better not use Windows.
It is like choosing a boat that has holes everywhere, to sail in the ocean.
Instead buy a better hole-less boat.

I am sure Windows is one of the best ways of using any computer hardware but it lacks a lot when you want to protect your data and privacy online.

If you are not going to do any Windows-specific task and are just going to watch videos and make some docs and spreadsheets online then use Tails OS or Parrot OS.
These two are the best at protecting your data and your privacy online. On top of that, they have features equivalent to Windows in most respects.
See if they suit your needs. They are not based on Windows.
I mean to say, No need to plug the holes if there aren't any.

 

[poorguy]

[Snip]

I am sure Windows is one of the best ways of using any computer hardware but it lacks a lot when you want to protect your data and privacy online.

If you are not going to do any Windows-specific task and are just going to watch videos and make some docs and spreadsheets online then use Tails OS or Parrot OS.
These two are the best at protecting your data and your privacy online.

I mean to say, No need to plug the holes if there aren't any.

Nothing is 100% bulletproof and the main reason Windows Is vulnerable is because it profitable where there's no profit in hacking into Linux.

No matter what OS is used if the bad guys want in they will get in.

As for privacy HA what's that ain't no privacy no more it doesn't exist.

Everything and everyone leaches you data / personal browsing information.

 

[davehc]

As poorguy says. For example (of many)

'Tails' Operating System Website Has Been Hacked

Anonymous and Linux based Tails Operating System website has been hacked and defaced by 17-year-old hacker.

thehackernews.com

If you really want (almost!) 100 % security, download your favourite game or program which can be used offline - then switch off your Internet connection. Good luck.

 

[bassfisher6522]

If you're worried about privacy that went out the door the day the WWW started

It' started way before that!

 

[Wolfie]

Nothing is 100% bulletproof

Hi poorguy,

I recall an incident where the software repository (Debian I think it was) had an infected file place on the repo, it was discovered within 30 minutes as the repo(s) get scanned on a timed AV scan. It is not known how many (if any) users where affected but like you said, "Nothing is 100% bulletproof".

 

[davehc]

It' started way before that!

Correct. I started messing with computers with only DOS and no internet. Even then there were , not often, but stupid spams and interference. Thea easiest, which the novice would probably not detect, was to plant a time switch in the start up (INI? cant remember, ) which would reformat the entire HD on initial startup.

before anyone queries! At the time, I was working on projects in the Middle East. Pcdos or Ms dos could be bought from various legit (?) sources. They often had these mischievous spams incorporated

 

[bassfisher6522]

Yes Sir!

This went back way before the PC era....it was the pen/paper era all the way back to the 1920's when certain individuals were being watched due to there work and nationality.....hint hint. Then each decade there was some other group getting hit...then the 50's came. That's when it really got real.

The best movie about this is called "Enemy of the State"

I'll leave it at that.....

 

[poorguy]

Hi poorguy,

I recall an incident where the software repository (Debian I think it was) had an infected file place on the repo, it was discovered within 30 minutes as the repo(s) get scanned on a timed AV scan. It is not known how many (if any) users where affected but like you said, "Nothing is 100% bulletproof".

Hi Ya Wolfie,

Here's a couple of links about Debian being hacked.

Debian Project servers hacked

Four servers that host the open-source Debian Project's bug-tracking system, mailing lists and various Web pages were compromised Thursday.

www.computerworld.com

Debian server hacked

The Debian GNU/Linux project today admitted a hacker had compromised one of its internal servers. "Early this morning we discovered that someone had managed to compromise gluck.

www.zdnet.com

I know people who have their computers locked down so tight that they can barely get online however don't hesitate one bit to credit card order all kinds of stuff using their Android smartphone.

There's a secure private platform right.
Hmm.

I no longer worry about it anymore.

Stay safe all.

Life is good.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi poorguy,

I had not heard of the other server/e-mail incidents, they were a long time ago and I cannot remember how long ago; the repository virus was actual?.

 

[poorguy]

I believe at one time or another just about every forum or sever site has been compromised to some point or another.

The severity of the compromise and exactly what was compromised who knows.

A lot of the forums and other sites I use have been compromised at one time.


When I worked for the State Department our servers were compromised many times due to the poor management of the IT Department of which I wasn't part of.

I did raise a lot of hell about the lack of internet security and keeping everything updated etc however nothing ever changed.

 

[T_J]

Sorry if this has already been posted (I don't click on links). hackers hacked Linux Mint website Feb 20, 2016 to point to their modified Linux Mint 17.3 Cinnamon ISO with a backdoor in it. [I had LM 17.3 Cinnamon PC at the time plus a Windows PC]