Windows Defender is AV from Microsoft.


Yes, by default it is turn on. If AV installed, it will take over Windows Defender. I don't trust Microsoft. Honestly, I'm in IT and hacking for over 20 years. Do you know that our software keep transmitting data packet to internet. Even if you don't open or run any software? If you have firewall between your router and your PC, you will notice on your firewall log, a lot of data packets sending out.


There is a setting you can set or turn it off.

kaspersky is the best. no doubt.

One of the best and it don't drain memory as much as Symantec or Norton.

Absolutely do NOT get McAfee or Norton, those 2 are considered the worst.

also Avast/AVG/Avira has relations to Norton ircc

Symatec is technically okay? since Norton/Symatec got split into 2 and now NortonLifeLock owns Norton and Symatec is now part of Broadcom
but Symatec is mostly enterprise security these days

Symantec not bad lah. Always Top 3. Symantec acquired by by Broadcom on Nov 2019. Last time, Symantec acquire Norton.

Avira is under Norton, Norton is under Symantec, Symantec under Broadcom.

Symantec remain as enterprise level of AV while Norton and Avira is targeting consumer/home user level.

I am using qihoo 360 free. Used it like since 10 years ago when they were using avira and bitdefender engine. But they do not have those now and are using their own kunpeng engine.

Before that used to get the free AOL antivirus which is now known as Kaspersky. 😁

Also used trend micro when it was known as pc cilin before.

Avast, avg, McAfee all got used and tried for years during the free to use times.

But I am mostly on qihoo now.

Miss the days when I had to use hitmanpro, Malwarebytes, CCleaner and various av tools to clean and detect viruses.

Today it's all about patches.

Free one the best is still Defender, if you use Windows 10/11.
but it's still not enough, you need passive protection like
use better router with build in AV, like asus one,
use DoH https://adguard-dns.io/kb/general/dns-providers/
some will block adult website, malware.

Router built-in AV is not strong enough. Most of the malware still easily penetrate thru.