What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?
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@timconsidine said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
I use Sophos, for my Mac desktop and laptop. I probably need to review this so I’m interested in others’ answers.
Sophos if I am not mistaken it's only for enterprise, right? What's your consideration using Sophos?
@robi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Eset when needed, mostly not necessary.
What's the OS that you're using? So, you don't need AV on smartphone and laptop?
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Malwarebytes free on windows. It detected a sneaky and persistent cryptomining malware that windows security missed. You get the occasional notification ad to buy a subscription and a reminder that it hasn’t scanned recent downloaded files. Other than that, no complaints.
Yes, I also used Malwarebytes but I consider other AV like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton. WDYT?
@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton. WDYT?
It's all about resource usage as some will noticeably slow down your device. Avoid Norton at all costs. Bitdefender is good. Kaspersky is/has Russian ties. Eset was my favorite back in the day due to how lightweight it was and pricing fit my student budget. Malwarebytes free is what I use nowadays, but if you're looking for real-time protection then get one of their premium plans. If I wasn't tied to Windows due to my CAD software requirements, I would have switched to Linux or Mac. Like Tim, I also have an iPhone so I'm covered on that end. I don't use any AV on my CR servers. There are some discussions about this on the forum if you're interested.
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@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton. WDYT?
It's all about resource usage as some will noticeably slow down your device. Avoid Norton at all costs. Bitdefender is good. Kaspersky is/has Russian ties. Eset was my favorite back in the day due to how lightweight it was and pricing fit my student budget. Malwarebytes free is what I use nowadays, but if you're looking for real-time protection then get one of their premium plans. If I wasn't tied to Windows due to my CAD software requirements, I would have switched to Linux or Mac. Like Tim, I also have an iPhone so I'm covered on that end. I don't use any AV on my CR servers. There are some discussions about this on the forum if you're interested.
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Kaspersky is/has Russian ties.
In Germany, you use it anymore in a business context due to the offical warning of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), as such use against a warning would not be considered "state of the art".
https://www.heise.de/en/news/BSI-Warning-against-Kaspersky-products-still-valid-after-US-sanctions-9777484.html -
@IniBudi I took Sophos as a personal but multi device plan. Years ago. Seems to have rolled on.
I use Mac and iOS so no viruses there (ha ha ha).
But I need to review.Don’t generally use android but just got new tablet, so need to review for that.
@timconsidine said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@IniBudi I took Sophos as a personal but multi device plan. Years ago. Seems to have rolled on.
I use Mac and iOS so no viruses there (ha ha ha).
But I need to review.Don’t generally use android but just got new tablet, so need to review for that.
Haha, thank you.
I got a new insight here. I don't recognize that Mac and iOS are better than Windows and Android in terms of malware infection.
One day, I need to switch to iOS. Currently, I'm using Windows 11 (office laptop), and my personal devices are Mac and Android.
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton. WDYT?
It's all about resource usage as some will noticeably slow down your device. Avoid Norton at all costs. Bitdefender is good. Kaspersky is/has Russian ties. Eset was my favorite back in the day due to how lightweight it was and pricing fit my student budget. Malwarebytes free is what I use nowadays, but if you're looking for real-time protection then get one of their premium plans. If I wasn't tied to Windows due to my CAD software requirements, I would have switched to Linux or Mac. Like Tim, I also have an iPhone so I'm covered on that end. I don't use any AV on my CR servers. There are some discussions about this on the forum if you're interested.
Thank you for the recommendation and your valuable insight! I read these reports, and your statement is similar to these reports:
- https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/summary-report-2025/
- https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
- https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/
@necrevistonnezr said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Kaspersky is/has Russian ties.
In Germany, you use it anymore in a business context due to the offical warning of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), as such use against a warning would not be considered "state of the art".
https://www.heise.de/en/news/BSI-Warning-against-Kaspersky-products-still-valid-after-US-sanctions-9777484.htmlAh, I see, it's not only about product benefit, but it's more than that, I mean, it's talking about compliance risk.
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@timconsidine said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@IniBudi I took Sophos as a personal but multi device plan. Years ago. Seems to have rolled on.
I use Mac and iOS so no viruses there (ha ha ha).
But I need to review.Don’t generally use android but just got new tablet, so need to review for that.
Haha, thank you.
I got a new insight here. I don't recognize that Mac and iOS are better than Windows and Android in terms of malware infection.
One day, I need to switch to iOS. Currently, I'm using Windows 11 (office laptop), and my personal devices are Mac and Android.
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton. WDYT?
It's all about resource usage as some will noticeably slow down your device. Avoid Norton at all costs. Bitdefender is good. Kaspersky is/has Russian ties. Eset was my favorite back in the day due to how lightweight it was and pricing fit my student budget. Malwarebytes free is what I use nowadays, but if you're looking for real-time protection then get one of their premium plans. If I wasn't tied to Windows due to my CAD software requirements, I would have switched to Linux or Mac. Like Tim, I also have an iPhone so I'm covered on that end. I don't use any AV on my CR servers. There are some discussions about this on the forum if you're interested.
Thank you for the recommendation and your valuable insight! I read these reports, and your statement is similar to these reports:
- https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/summary-report-2025/
- https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
- https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/
@necrevistonnezr said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@humptydumpty said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
Kaspersky is/has Russian ties.
In Germany, you use it anymore in a business context due to the offical warning of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), as such use against a warning would not be considered "state of the art".
https://www.heise.de/en/news/BSI-Warning-against-Kaspersky-products-still-valid-after-US-sanctions-9777484.htmlAh, I see, it's not only about product benefit, but it's more than that, I mean, it's talking about compliance risk.
@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
I got a new insight here. I don't recognize that Mac and iOS are better than Windows and Android in terms of malware infection.
Well Mac and iOS are not immune - best approach is AV is still needed - but I think it is fair to say that they are less targeted and more robust.
My 'ha ha ha' comment was not intended as gloating, but scepticism. Hope I did not give the wrong impression.
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@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
I got a new insight here. I don't recognize that Mac and iOS are better than Windows and Android in terms of malware infection.
Well Mac and iOS are not immune - best approach is AV is still needed - but I think it is fair to say that they are less targeted and more robust.
My 'ha ha ha' comment was not intended as gloating, but scepticism. Hope I did not give the wrong impression.
@timconsidine said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
@IniBudi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
I got a new insight here. I don't recognize that Mac and iOS are better than Windows and Android in terms of malware infection.
Well Mac and iOS are not immune - best approach is AV is still needed - but I think it is fair to say that they are less targeted and more robust.
My 'ha ha ha' comment was not intended as gloating, but scepticism. Hope I did not give the wrong impression.
Thank you, yes I got your points.
I ask this question because I believe you and other members here are more experience and expert than me.
So every comments will be good insight for me non tech guys.
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You gotta follow some basic online safety rules like:
- don't open emails that you don't recognize the sender
- if something seems too good to be true, it MOST DEFINITELY is nowadays (forget about deals because of tarriffs, inflation, ai-flation, yada yada)
- learn how to read email headers (it'll tell you who sent it, to whom, and more crucial info) to verify authenticity
- NEVER open attachments in emails unless you're expecting that message, can verify the sender from the header, then have it scanned by malwarebytes.
- NEVER click on shortened/masked URLs (e.g. https://tinyurl.com/cutecatz7255)
- learn how to view the URL link embedded in text (e.g. free sh1t
- scan everything you download online
- run periodic scans using malwarebytes
- grab a hot beverage and look up onion cyber security
More advanced protection but inconvenient to most users:
- encrypt your files using cryptomator
- keep +1 non-encrypted copies in cold storage at different locations and keep it synced/up-to-date regularly
- use a basic PC for browsing/downloading (e.g. old laptop with NOTHING on it, ready to be formatted once infected using a restore point if on windows)
- better yet, use a linux distro launched from a usb drive
- use a password manager like vaultwarden
- use a yubikey to secure vaultwarden (get two keys; one to act as a backup that's sitting in cold storage)
- set up a physical firewall using OPNsense or similar
- use an app firewall like glasswire or portmaster
- disable wifi when not in use
- install a mobile app called FING to see who's on your network and make sure you recognize all listed devices
- wear a tin foil hat proudly and be prepared to tell the naysayers "told you so"
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I've basically not worried about viruses since ditching Bindow$ decades ago and moving to Linux. I don't use anything on my Android phone either. I realise it is possible to get viruses on both platforms, but still nothing like has always been the case with Windows. I do occasionally have to interact with Windows machines though and IMHO most antivirus apps are themselves bloated malware.
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You gotta follow some basic online safety rules like:
- don't open emails that you don't recognize the sender
- if something seems too good to be true, it MOST DEFINITELY is nowadays (forget about deals because of tarriffs, inflation, ai-flation, yada yada)
- learn how to read email headers (it'll tell you who sent it, to whom, and more crucial info) to verify authenticity
- NEVER open attachments in emails unless you're expecting that message, can verify the sender from the header, then have it scanned by malwarebytes.
- NEVER click on shortened/masked URLs (e.g. https://tinyurl.com/cutecatz7255)
- learn how to view the URL link embedded in text (e.g. free sh1t
- scan everything you download online
- run periodic scans using malwarebytes
- grab a hot beverage and look up onion cyber security
More advanced protection but inconvenient to most users:
- encrypt your files using cryptomator
- keep +1 non-encrypted copies in cold storage at different locations and keep it synced/up-to-date regularly
- use a basic PC for browsing/downloading (e.g. old laptop with NOTHING on it, ready to be formatted once infected using a restore point if on windows)
- better yet, use a linux distro launched from a usb drive
- use a password manager like vaultwarden
- use a yubikey to secure vaultwarden (get two keys; one to act as a backup that's sitting in cold storage)
- set up a physical firewall using OPNsense or similar
- use an app firewall like glasswire or portmaster
- disable wifi when not in use
- install a mobile app called FING to see who's on your network and make sure you recognize all listed devices
- wear a tin foil hat proudly and be prepared to tell the naysayers "told you so"
@humptydumpty said:
- wear a tin foil hat proudly and be prepared to tell the naysayers "told you so"
Hmm and I own that toldyouso domain
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I've basically not worried about viruses since ditching Bindow$ decades ago and moving to Linux. I don't use anything on my Android phone either. I realise it is possible to get viruses on both platforms, but still nothing like has always been the case with Windows. I do occasionally have to interact with Windows machines though and IMHO most antivirus apps are themselves bloated malware.
@jdaviescoates nod.. if you know what you click on, there is no fear.
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@jdaviescoates nod.. if you know what you click on, there is no fear.
@robi You weren't kidding! I just noticed the link in your signature.
@robi said in What's Your Antivirus Recommendation?:
if you know what you click on, there is no fear.
Sometimes you can't avoid the bundled ones from legit/unexpected sources like through video games and their related downloads (mods, trainers/cheats, etc).
