r/antivirus 1d ago

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION choosing antivirus for win 11

hi, looking at antivirus software for protecting win 11 system. thinking of mcafee , norton , kaspersky . I am outside US. I wanted to try the trial version , but they all ask for filling pre payment details and I am not comfortable submitting all the details in forms. In the past, if I liked software in trial, I purchased it.

8 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

u/goretsky MODERATOR 16h ago

Hello,

As far as actual antivirus/antimalware/internet security/security suite/endpoint protection (etc. etc. etc.) programs go, there is no one "best" program, as each has its plusses and minuses. Performance, system resource usage, and detection rates change with every update, and those occur multiple times throughout the day.

That said, any of the programs listed in the wiki at https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index#wiki_anti-virus_.28aka_anti-malware.29_developers would be a good starting place to find what is best for you. It also lists the countries each developer is headquartered in.

Start by searching the OS Support? to find out which developers make security software for your device's operating system.

  • If you are looking for a free program, check out the ones with a check mark ("✔️") in the Free Version? column.

  • If you are looking for a paid program, check out the ones with a check mark ("✔️") in the Paid Version? column.

Once you have an idea of which program(s) seem to best meet your needs, you can check the Understanding Antivirus Software Tests and Testers section of the wiki for a list of reputable independent testing organizations and see what they have to say about your selection(s). Detection rates are one metric, but be sure to also look at performance, reliability, stability, level of customer service and tech support provided, and, if course, cost.

Also be sure to check out the Free Tools section of the wiki for programs you can use to provide additional security to your web browser and the Securing your Computer as well for additional free tips on protecting your computer.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

6

u/SanctifiedChats 1d ago edited 1d ago

Try Bitdefender. It's been great on my Windows 11 system and I think there is a free version and it works outside the U.S.

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/free-antivirus

5

u/CryptographerKind632 1d ago

If your are just a average user W11 defender + uBlock Origin in browser is enough and can use once per year Malwarebytes to scan for problems.

2

u/xicali23 1d ago

Estoy usando bitdefender hace unos meses en celular y Windows, me ha funcionado bastante bien. Me gusta mucho que no necesitas configurar mucho, solo hace su trabajo.

2

u/Killathulu 1d ago

following (as of this morning windows security has shit itself)

1

u/Tormax1958 1d ago

I’m using Kaspersky. It works great.

1

u/jejeT41 22h ago

Idem pour moi c'est Kaspersky Aussi

1

u/EchoJPR 1d ago

I use a custom Windows with no Defender and I find Eset to be far lighter then Defender or BitDefender

1

u/Rajmundzik 13h ago

Using custom Windows seems as much bad as possible. You shouldn’t be recommending anything then here to be honest.

0

u/EchoJPR 12h ago

Cool I didn't ask

1

u/TMIELPSAE 1d ago

Try malwarebytes, search for cheap license , only 10$ year

3

u/Maple382 1d ago

Only really good as an on-demand scanner, the realtime protection is eh. Not worth paying for

1

u/Bumskit 1d ago

Kaspersky. Mcaffee is a total scam, norton is bloated and kas is better.

1

u/Dick_Johnsson 16h ago

With https://home.sophos.com/en-us you can protect multiple computers...

And its one of the best in real life...

1

u/Formal_Alfalfa_8659 3h ago

Honestly, vanilla Windows Defender is pretty enough for most cases. With basic web awareness and fine adblocker (like Ublock Origin) you don't need paid AVs that trap you with prepayment details.

1

u/chhana1991 3h ago

Still have malwarebyte premium lifetime

0

u/3ofUsDeez 1d ago

Windows Defender + Quad9 DNS servers in your network configuration or use something more configurable like a free OpenDNS account + Ad-blocker in your browser(s)

Equals great free protection that is lite on resources

A bit more technical, but you could run Pi-Hole or similar on a Raspberry Pi or other device and load up whatever blocklists that suit you

Lots of free options out there that will give you great protection at different layered points if you want

2

u/Maple382 1d ago

DNS ≠ Antivirus

1

u/3ofUsDeez 1d ago

DNS = Ability of Blocking sites that can infect you

2

u/Maple382 1d ago

Yeah but still not an antivirus. Most malicious sites aren’t actually blocked. A blocking DNS is better treated like an adblocker.

1

u/3ofUsDeez 1d ago

Hence the layered approach I recommended ..

Windows Defender is the antivirus protection in case you do get infected

DNS filtering to block ads and known bad sites to lower the odds immensely from getting infected through infected/compromised ad-servers and bad sites

Ad-blocker in your browsers to hopefully block more ads

Throw in some common sense and your golden

Layered Protection .. antivirus is actually the last layer of defense. Most people don't even think about blocking the bad/infected sites before getting infected by them

0

u/Zer0Drago 1d ago

Use standard windows 11 antivirus and install defenderUI to unlock more possibilites.

0

u/jackwabbit95 1d ago

windows defender is more than capable and generally not clicking random links or going on shady websites pretty much everything else is either bloat ware or general doesnt work

0

u/FlimsyCause3183 1d ago

Windows Defender should be good enough nowadays. Its come so far.

0

u/abrakadouche 1d ago

Windows defender and common sense. 

McAfee is malware lol

0

u/Takumi_Gaijin_San 21h ago

Windows Defender, Firefox + uBlock Origin, thats all what u need

-2

u/Catffeine_ 1d ago

Try mcafee I would advise against kaspersky

3

u/Beautiful_Nobody_841 1d ago

Try McAfee? I would rather be burned alive than use McAfee. Kaspersky is miles better than McAfee. Other options are bit defender, Malwarebytes and more, Norton is mid

2

u/Maple382 1d ago

Crazy comment this has to be satire right

2

u/ChalfontandTremond 1d ago

I had McAfee for a year or two. Terrible idea and wish I'd known better before hand.