Windows defender is all you need. I keep the free version of malwarebytes on my pc just in case something seems off. It does not start up or run in the background tho.
Ditto. Maybe a CCleaner once in a while. That’s about it. You kind of have to go out of your way to get windows infected with something, or just be really stupid like plugging in a usb drive you found on the restaurant floor on your lunch break.
Am sysadmin.
Windows Defender and Adblock is the best you can do with nearly 0 effort.
Windows Defender. The W10+ version outperforms most third party antivirus softwares. Also, antivirus software increases the attack surface and becomes a vector for infection, especially the free ones that come with shovelware to market your pc usage improve your privacy or something.
Defender + Common sense.
Ditto. I tried a couple of alternatives over the years but most of the “free” programs are either not much better than the already built-in thing, or spam the end user with advertisements about paid services (I’m looking at you, Avast!) to the point that they’re a lot more intrusive than any actual virus could have ever been.
Never had any issues with the regular Defender and I’ve been using Windows for ages.
