extra virus protection

Question

extra virus protection

Frank Esposito 0

do i really need extra protection like the pricey norton or is the included windows protection sufficient?

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4 answers

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Answer 1

DaveM121 933.9K Independent Advisor

Windows Security is a full security suite that is on a par with all the paid for 3rd party Anti-virus suites, it is highly rated.

Windows Security has many components like Defender, Ransomware Protection, Memory Integrity, Core Isolation...etc. and its Virus Definitions are updated most days like all the 3rd party anti-virus suites to include any newly found malware.

Defender is tightly integrated with Windows, it is free and will not slow down your PC like many of the 3d party anti-virus suites.

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Answer 2

Your question is often asked here.

Although on any given day, antivirus "A" may beat antivirus "B" in third-party testing, by now the technology has advanced to where most antivirus apps are pretty much equally effective, including Microsoft Defender. So your choice should come down to other considerations, like which app has an interface you find easy to work with, or which app has better support, or which has additional features you find useful. These are decisions only you can make, but you should also consult independent third-party reviews performed by recognized professionals. It's true that nobody knows Windows better than Microsoft, but nobody knows any better than anybody else where the next threat to your computer will come from.

The truth is, traditional viruses are only one of the many threats computers face today, and they are far from the most prevalent. Real-world studies consistently show that most successful attacks today do not come from viruses, but from other threats like phishing, botnets, data beaches and ransomware. Traditional antivirus apps can't stop those. The most important thing that anyone can do is to keep informed on the latest attacks, and take every step possible to protect yourself. Having an antivirus app is one step, but not the only one.

Answer 3

For most home Windows 11 use, the included protection is sufficient.

Windows Security is built into Windows and includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other threats. It is integrated with features such as SmartScreen and the firewall, and it is designed to protect the device from the moment it starts.

A separate antivirus like Norton is usually not necessary just to improve basic malware protection. Running multiple anti-malware apps at the same time can slow the system down or make it unstable. If another antivirus is installed and turned on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus turns off automatically.

Useful built-in protection and practices include:

Keep Microsoft Defender and Windows updated.
Leave SmartScreen enabled in Microsoft Edge.
Avoid opening unexpected email attachments or links.
Run a quick scan in Windows Security: Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.
For a specific file or folder, right-click it in File Explorer and select Scan with Microsoft Defender.

Third-party products can add extra features, but they are not required for typical home protection.

References:

Answer 4

For most users on Windows 11, the built‑in Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) is enough; you don’t need to pay for Norton just for antivirus. One "Anonymous" user in this community gives very good advice for us, In which he said "it is always good to remember: the best security feature is always to pay attention to what are you accessing, downloading and installing on your device, always look for trusted sources."

Check this post for more comments on this topic:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5297575/if-i-have-microsoft-defender-do-i-still-need-norto