Computer Protection advice sought.

[ofco8]

I have both McAfee and Malwarebytes installed on my laptop. I particularly like Malwarebytes as it has sorted out lots of possible threats.

However, do they both do basically the same thing? McAfee tell me my subscription is running out and I need to pay £60 to renew for a year or £110 for two years.

How do you protect your equipment and what would you advise.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I use the free versions of either Avast or AVG - never had an issue, other than annoying popups telling me how wonderful they are and AVG can be a bit resource hungry at times. I run malwarebytes maybe once a month just in case something has slipped through, but it rarely finds anything nasty.

 

[FatSuperman]

Malwarebytes and one of the free antivirus products should do you fine (Avira, AVG, Panda etc). Check AV-Test website for some options, but I don't think there is much point paying tbh.

Caveat here is that you aren't going to very dodgy sites...

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

 

[bhanutz]

Get a Mac?

 

[Napier's Knee]

Another vote for AVG and malwarebyets, both free. Been using both for years now and everything has been ok.

 

[ofco8]

I use the free versions of either Avast or AVG - never had an issue, other than annoying popups telling me how wonderful they are and AVG can be a bit resource hungry at times. I run malwarebytes maybe once a month just in case something has slipped through, but it rarely finds anything nasty.

Do the free versions have a limited time and then you have to purchase?

 

[KZNSeagull]

Do the free versions have a limited time and then you have to purchase?

No. Been using them free for years.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I have both McAfee and Malwarebytes installed on my laptop. I particularly like Malwarebytes as it has sorted out lots of possible threats.

However, do they both do basically the same thing? McAfee tell me my subscription is running out and I need to pay £60 to renew for a year or £110 for two years.

How do you protect your equipment and what would you advise.

Another vote for Avast here. Totally free and seems to do the business.

Beware of McAfee. An old lady neighbour of mine came to me stressed out that she wanted to cancel her McAfee subscription but the phone line was rubbish and went unanswered. Did a bit of googling and turns out that McAfee have a default setting of 'Auto-Renew', because they claim that that's what most of their customers want. Yeah, right. So unless you go into your McAfee account and untick the 'Auto-Renew' option, they'll just keep on taking your money, whether you require their services any longer or not. Nice little money spinner for McAfee.

 

[Prince Monolulu]

Get a Mac?

Yep, Macs never get infected.

 

[bhanutz]

Yep, Macs never get infected.

Mine hasn't

 

[Randsta]

Yep, Macs never get infected.

Beat me to it ....less likely to get them, but if you frequent a lot of "dodgy" sites then you're running the risk!

 

[Fungus]

I have both McAfee and Malwarebytes installed on my laptop. I particularly like Malwarebytes as it has sorted out lots of possible threats.

However, do they both do basically the same thing? McAfee tell me my subscription is running out and I need to pay £60 to renew for a year or £110 for two years.

How do you protect your equipment and what would you advise.

No, you need a combination of the two, but I wouldn't pay for AV. I use Avira, but AVG, Avast or others are fine. I run a regular Malwarebytes scan, and for all downloaded files.

The biggest dangers are ignorance and dodgy surfing.

Keep yourself safe with a free online course - https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/cyber-security or https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security

 

[Prince Monolulu]

I do not run a Mac, I have basic free protection. I do, now and again, wander off the main drag for specific browsing but find common sense combined with a weekly Nod32/Trend online scan keeps an eye on any potential nasties.
CCleaner will rid you of you 'belly button fluff' cookies etc.
Bottom line remains, don't download whatever you are prompted to, even if they insist yours is out of date.

 

[FatSuperman]

My MAC has NEVER once got a virus. But then for 90% of the time I've had it I couldn't actually stay connected to wifi for more than 30 seconds due to unresolved issues with the device (classic Apple service). And whilst I'm pretty fast, even I struggle to get the gas mask on, the cable around my neck and the business done in such a short space of time.

My PC on the other hand actually works, even if it is a bit more wild west than my Mac.

 

[phoenix]

I love it when the Metropolitan Police sign comes up (obviously on only the best porn sites) telling me my pc has been locked and i have to pay 10 million quid to get it unlocked.

But microsoft defender (free) or whatever its called, and a quick Malwarebytes is the way to go.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Do the free versions have a limited time and then you have to purchase?

Avast free subscription runs for a year, then you have to re-register for the free subscription for another year etc. Which is fair enough. They try and coax you into taking out a paid 'premium' version but it's a pretty half-hearted effort which is easy enough to say 'no' to.

 

[Mr Smggles]

Do not renew your McAfee. I work for an IT company and it is quite widely recognised throughout the industry as being complete dogs**t. I think there is a free version of webroot, but if not Avast or Malwarebytes will do the trick for free.

 

[Mr Smggles]

I love it when the Metropolitan Police sign comes up (obviously on only the best porn sites) telling me my pc has been locked and i have to pay 10 million quid to get it unlocked.

But microsoft defender (free) or whatever its called, and a quick Malwarebytes is the way to go.

Wouldn't recommend Microsoft Defender either, pretty useless too.

 

[Robinjakarta]

Beat me to it ....less likely to get them, but if you frequent a lot of "dodgy" sites then you're running the risk!

I frequent lots of dodgy sites on Macs and have never been infected. Neither have the Macs.

 

[Seat Stealer]

kaspersky do a free package if your banking with Barclays and add malewarebytes,