Antivirus Recommendations

[Myradyl Muse]

With all the smart technical folks on here, I thought I'd ask about Antivirus program recommendations.
I've used McAfee in past (bloated my stuff) and Kaspersky which seemed to work super well but now the controversies are scaring me. Bitdefender was also recommended but has a ?scary location-based potential as well, from what I read.
I've researched a ton of these and the more I read, the more confused I get! Help
I'm looking for:
- strong protection like Kaspersky suites
- limited bloatware/constant slowdown stuff inside the works
- freeware is not required, but not exorbitant cost for package either

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Feel free to PM me instead if you'd rather.

 

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

Actually for home use Windows Defender is more than enough.

The problem with 3rd party suites nowadays is that they are doing way too much, and therefore can be exploited as attack vector for viruses/malware.

Also it's quite known that some companies of such suites sold user data to other companies without notice, like Avast.

Best option is Windows Defender + uBlock.

 

[Casey Pelous]

With all the smart technical folks on here, I thought I'd ask about Antivirus program recommendations.
I've used McAfee in past (bloated my stuff) and Kaspersky which seemed to work super well but now the controversies are scaring me. Bitdefender was also recommended but has a ?scary location-based potential as well, from what I read.
I've researched a ton of these and the more I read, the more confused I get! Help
I'm looking for:
- strong protection like Kaspersky suites
- limited bloatware/constant slowdown stuff inside the works
- freeware is not required, but not exorbitant cost for package either

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Feel free to PM me instead if you'd rather.

What OS are you running? If Windows then *messages have been posted* .... ah, what Bartholomew said.

 

[Noodles]

Yeah, I second Windows Defender, which is built into Windows.

Also Ublock Origin, or maybe setting up NextDNS.

 

[Myradyl Muse]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the insights. Yes, Windows11 currently.

 

[Casey Pelous]

Myradyl Muse: I forgot to mention I run Malwarebytes, but just the free version. It has a good reputation and has been handy in the past. However, the truth is, that's more a result of carrying on past habits than a careful cost/benefit analysis or anything.