I have had paid internet security for a number of years. Trend Micro Security.
I was advised by computer experts that there is ne need to pay for security as it is supplied with Windows.
I had Trend removed 5 months ago. No issues without it.
My subscription is due at the end of the month. Not going to renew.
Trend have been sending me reminders three times a week to renew my subscription.
They want my money.
I was with Bitdefender until a few years ago and NOD before that, gave them both up for Windows Defender but still get emails from both of them.
Never had any problems except when trying to update some open source programs, you have to jump through hoops to get to them.
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Iāve never paid for internet security simply because Iāve never had problems while using apps that are free. Several tests have shown that Windows defender provides sufficient protection and I see this confirmed on my device. If I ever catch a virus, I might have second thoughts about that.
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My computers always seems to come McAfee trial version loaded, then I get constant reminders that I need to start paying for it. I ignore that, then they stop reminding me after about a year but itās still there. It doesnāt appear on my Add Remove Progs list, but occasionally when plugging in a USB, Iām told McAfee is scanning.
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Most security programs make a pretty good job of protection but itās always been the case that some perform better than others. Saying there has been no trouble so far is probably good enough but it may not be proof that a security measure will do the job if called on.
Any security measure being used is only good enough until some malware is encountered that it canāt detect and block. Might never come across that malware but itās always a possibility.
There are testing services that throw malware (that may or may not be encountered personally) at a range of security programs and it can be better to make a decision on whatās best by looking at them.
I donāt use any of the ones in the chart at the moment. Iām using Defender but along with Malwarebytes. OK so far. Thatās all I can say.
https://www.av-comparatives.org/comparison/
If you look at the chart, take note of the orange line at the bottom as well as the detection percentage. A false positive can make a user think they have a virus when there isnāt one.
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Wow, just wow.
I have never had auto renewal of my subscription.
Got this email from Trend today
We have attempted to automatically renew your Trend Micro subscription, but could not process your credit card. As a result, your subscription has not been renewed.
My original card stopped working 12 months ago and was replaced.
This behaviour by Trend is bordering on fraudulent.
If my card had not been changed, payment would have been taken without my consent.
The business world wonders why a large percentage of the public look on them as scoundrels and thieves.
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Quite a few companies do that these days. Thereās usually a ānot very obviousā option to opt out of automatic renewal when buying initially. They can be opted out of afterwards, usually in the account details ā¦but it does depend on you being aware that automatic renewal is in place.
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Automatic renewal was not part of my subscription. That is why they have been hounding me for 2 months to renew.
Fraudulent, I say.
I hav e āAvastā free version and also Malwarebytes for extra prevention against malware
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If you go to the Mcafee web site you can download an app that completely removes their application and all its pop ups.
https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000001616?language=en_US
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Apart from Windows Security/Defender, I use Chrome browser which has its own security built in, it encrypts passwords and tells you when youāve clicked on an iffy link. And my emails though BT are run though Norton their end.
I always do windows updates asap, and chrome updates asap.
It must be nearly ten years now since I gave up on the Avira/Avast type free AV, and 20 years since subscribing to the Norton/McAfee type Ā£ AV, and everything runs fast and smooth.
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Thanks. I might try that if & when I think it might be slowing the machine down. But nowaday I tend to just get a new one before anything starts slowing.
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Dood
We scapped using BT their internet speed was near impossible and no chance of them providing fibre optices to the houses in the near or far distant future. So private companies have moved in to fill the gap. the local exchange is not even planned for an upgrade
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It must be like living in a cul de sac!
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I have experienced absolutely zero problems with W11ās built in security, but just as an extra addition, I also have Spybot S&D free version always running silently in the background.
Spybot Free Edition - Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus : Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus (safer-networking.org)
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Two anti virus programs on the same machine do slow the machine down as they tend to fight each other
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Yes, and I understand that just one can slow it also. And it can automatically disable Defender, that is probably more efficient than whatever you installed.
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My HP AIO computer came with McAfee installed. I left it in place to see if it was OK. Surprisingly, it was. No noticeable slow downs. It does OK in the AV-Comparatives and AVTEST tests too.
I uninstalled it at the end of the free period. Not because it behaved badly but because of the nags to renew it that started well before the expiry date. Just put me off it.
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McAfee have been prosecuted for their underhand AV renewal demands, when most customers did not want its services renewed. They tried it on with me when I had the audacity to remove the free version in favour of W11ās own, but they got short shrift from me and a piece of my mind. They had obviously searched deeply within that laptop or they would not have known my details and I ended up referring them to my area Trading Standards.
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The trouble with AV programs is that they need to get well into the OS in order to protect it. I think thatās why they can be so difficult to completely remove. There can still be files and Registry entries around even after using removal tools. A search using āEverythingā (a search utility) and RegScanner will usually find leftovers after uninstallation/removal.
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