The Biden administration announced a ban on Kaspersky antivirus software on June 21, citing national security concerns due to the company's links with Russia.
If you’re using Windows, the built in AV (Windows Defender) is actually pretty great. Maybe run Malware Bytes every now and then, (as in, install Malware Bytes, run it, then immediately uninstall it again). Between those two (and healthy browsing habits, like using an adblocker, not downloading random .exes, etc) will keep you protected. No AV in the world will be able to fully defend against bad browsing habits, so it all really comes down to that.
But this is Lemmy, so you’re bound to get buried in “just switch to Linux cuz Windows is a virus” stuff. And while that may be true, it’s clearly not the answer to your question.
Tbh, uBlock Origin + brain.exe has been carrying the heaviest load for years for me. Windows Defender would catch 80% of the occasional slips where brain.exe wanted some risks, too.
If we’re talking windows, ditch the OS. It’s the virus itself at this point. It’s like asbestos. We had some fun. It was useful. But now we all know that it is flawed from the start.
what antivirus are the cool kids using these days? i feel like whenever i finally settle on one it ends up embroiled in this or that scandal
If you’re using Windows, the built in AV (Windows Defender) is actually pretty great. Maybe run Malware Bytes every now and then, (as in, install Malware Bytes, run it, then immediately uninstall it again). Between those two (and healthy browsing habits, like using an adblocker, not downloading random .exes, etc) will keep you protected. No AV in the world will be able to fully defend against bad browsing habits, so it all really comes down to that.
But this is Lemmy, so you’re bound to get buried in “just switch to Linux cuz Windows is a virus” stuff. And while that may be true, it’s clearly not the answer to your question.
The only real answer I’ve ever got from PC nerds is: None. You don’t need it. Just don’t be stupid. Easy.
Made me super uneasy when I was getting my first PC lmao
Windows Defender + uBlock Origin with more filter lists + brain.exe in free tier
Tbh, uBlock Origin + brain.exe has been carrying the heaviest load for years for me. Windows Defender would catch 80% of the occasional slips where brain.exe wanted some risks, too.
Never heard of brain.exe could I get some more info and maybe an official link?
They mean themselves, their brain.
Welp, now I feel dumb haha
If we’re talking windows, ditch the OS. It’s the virus itself at this point. It’s like asbestos. We had some fun. It was useful. But now we all know that it is flawed from the start.
I use Linux and only install software from the official distro repository + verified flatpaks. No av, no worries.