What Security Software Do You Recommend? (2024 Q4 update)

⚛️ Here are my latest recommendations for specific security software and techniques.

⚛️ My security software recommendations
- Windows built-in Windows Security is my recommended security solution for most systems.
- Your router can serve as your primary firewall at home or work.
- Leave the Windows Firewall enabled unless it causes problems.
- Let Windows Update keep your computer as up-to-date as possible.
That’s it. Good basic protection in four steps.

Chapters
0:00 What Security Software Do You Recommend?
0:30 Windows Security
1:10 The ratings game
2:15 Practical reasons
3:00 Alternative security software and additions
4:40 Caveats with all
5:40 What else besides security software?
6:13 Back up

More Ask Leo!

#askleo #security #recommendations

[ronkemperful]

My experience with Windows Defender goes back to the 2000s when it was sold as a stand alone product by Microsoft. My niece somehow managed to infect our computer with a virus by doing unsafe Internet practices, and to my frustration Norton Antivirus failed to detect the virus and with an update, though now detected, was unable to remove the virus. So, using Defender I was able to remove the virus in the end with no trouble. I've always hated, especially with my older PCs using 3rd party antivirus software, getting a very noticeable speed hit after installation. Since using Defender, I not only haven't had a speed hit, but I've also never had a virus too. Not in fifteen years. But, it is not totally true that Microsoft won't try to up sell their antivirus solutions, for I have gotten popups promoting their security for Android and iPhone devices. Thanks for your honest video.

[andrewd]

Windows security has served me well over the years along with a bit of common sense i.e. only downloading from trusted sites. Excellent advice as always.

[edprior]

I would recommend keeping an eye on the subscription renewal cost - it is usually much higher than the original purchase price. My strategy is to buy new, frequently from a retail store Black Friday or Boxing Day sale. I don't understand why companies treat their current customers much worse than new ones!

[johnburgess]

I'm sure Leo's book mentioned at the end covers this, but, be sure the nut behind the keyboard is tightened securely. I.e., fix the human factors problems first. I was at a trade show decades ago where a product for physical site security was being promoted. It consisted of a video camera monitoring an area which set off an alarm if anything in its selected region changes (within a threshold). There was a $20 dollar bill there with the promise that anyone who could remove the bill without the alarm being activated could keep the bill. I (quite innocently) asked how the "protected region" is defined. He moved the mouse around, with various areas being highlighted and others not. At one point I noticed that the bill was no longer in the protected area. GRAB. Got it. I was a nice guy and gave it back, but it goes to show that the human element must be congnizant of how to manage the system.

[jowarr]

Recently got a Windows 11 ARM64 Surface 7 laptop. I'm using Windows Security on it because it works flawlessly thus far with no sluggishness, nor any other potential AV-related problems. Didn't really intend to use WS on this machine, but it works so well, I cannot ignore it, and I am not one to consider anything but my own common sense and YOUR computer wisdom Leo. Thanks always for what you do. All the best to you.

[unaturalx]

I couldn't agree with you more. Windows Defender is all that is needed for casual users.

[louisfifteen]

When I used Win11( I switched til Linux), I installed Norton internet security and it was good up until maybe a year ago. Then suddenly I got a tsunami of strange offerings that I never asked for and never needed. So I ditced Norton and all other antivirus software/firewall software. Now I have also ditched Windows because it is forcing all kinds of things on me. Long live Linux.

[yerachmielb]

This video comes at a perfect time: a client just asked me to speed up his computer, and he couldn't understand why I suggested that he cancel subscriptions to two antivirus programs on each computer - neither one ranking in the top 5.

Another client also had two installed, but one was a subscription to Webroot which they probably didn't need anyway (unless you're worried about Disney+ and Excel containing malware...).

[bigsky]

In some cases the free version is feature limited. I've seen software that will search for clutter on your hard drive and clean the clutter with the press of a button, but the catch is, you have to pay for the software in order to do that one task it's designed to do.

[richneil]

Thank you Leo. I've been using Windows Defender and Security for some time now with no issues. Additionally, my VPN software also offers some protection and regular schedued virus scans.

[Trainmedic]

I've used Norton for years now without too much of a problem, then along came an upgrade. You can't hardly move around from the main page without clicking on a link that tries to sell you a new product. If I didn't have almost a year left on my subscription I'd be gone.
I'll be looking for a new av soon. And don't get me started on auto renewal.

[ionamygdalon]

I would like to mention an Anti Virus (AV) that also has a Portable Version, which means it can be used alongside a regular AV. It can run during Safe Mode which is very convenient by the way. It is by the French company "Adlice" and the AV is called "RogueKiller Anti Malware". They also have created a portable AV that can be run from the Command Prompt (RogueKiller Command Line) which can help if the computer is infected with severe malware and cannot even run in Safe Mode. Another Portable AV is one by Emsisoft, Emsisoft Emergency Kit (EEK), but sadly it cannot run in Safe Mode...

[JayJr.]

Windows Security has a firewall as well, which you can customize and block specifics apps from accessing the Internet. I use it together with "simplewall", which is also free. The main reason I use both firewalls is to prevent a couple of apps from calling home. One of these apps is Quicken that is now forcing users to upgrade yearly. So I stop my Quicken 2017 from calling home as I am concerned they will push an "update" I don't want and take half of my screen with ads when I don't comply. But soon enough I won't need to worry about Windows security software anymore as I am upgrading my Windows 11 to Linux Mint. :)

[blakemcbride]

The importance of backing up your system cannot be overstated. When purchasing a car, one understands that it is not a question of if it will break down, but rather when it will occur. The same principle applies to any computer system. The likelihood of failure is inevitable; it is only a matter of time. Consequently, when a failure does occur, your data will likely reside solely on your backup. Therefore, is a backup important? Absolutely!

[augusto]

I use Emsisoft Enterprise Security with Comodo Firewall and make Backup with Syncbackfree / Onedrive / SSD extern

[theotherside]

I would also add that some software might seem to be the business, very smart, sophisticated, customisable etc but this is just the front end. Their true mettle is the behind the scenes database of threats that it builds protections around. Less known software is going to be able to afford less to keep these databases up to date. Free systems generally have older databases. A great system that cant recognise a virus is no system at all .

[epytaffskitchenstink]

Avast was caught selling customers info. I'm surprised you'd even mention that one.

[Frankson-lw]

Bit defender does a superb job. Set it and forget it.

[bittertruthnavin]

I created a simple program that automates tasks and a malware tool specifically malwarebytes flagged it as being a malware, whereas windows defender did not detect it. Even though the program itself had no malicious code in it, the tool detected it based on the fact it tried to do things without user intervention and so to me, even though it was a bit annoyance at first, malwarebytes is the best out there in detecting malwares, it just detects based on what the program is trying to do.

[PrinceXTC]

Very good and informative video, Mr. Noteboom.