Paid antivirus vs. Windows Defender: Do you really need to pay for proper protection?

[Kayeesha]

You can search for "windows security" in Windows Settings. That will show all the security options available.
Then you just go through one by one to check. It's quite straightforward.

Hi @Parka, I’ve uninstalled McAfee. When I checked Windows Security, the only section with an issue is “Virus & threat protection” where it says to set up OneDrive (for ransomware protection).

I’m not inclined to set up OneDrive because I do not wish to pay for the service. Can I safely ignore the “warning”?

Thanks.

 

[Parka]

Hi @Parka, I’ve uninstalled McAfee. When I checked Windows Security, the only section with an issue is “Virus & threat protection” where it says to set up OneDrive (for ransomware protection).

I’m not inclined to set up OneDrive because I do not wish to pay for the service. Can I safely ignore the “warning”?

Thanks.

When you click on "Virus and Threat Protection", the page should say when it had downloaded the latest updates.

Also check the "Firewall and Network Protection" page to see if Firewall is on.

OneDrive is just an OPTIONAL online backup service. But it is an incredible value for money because it can backup your whole computer, and you get 1TB online storage and Microsoft Office. It's SGD88 on Shopee, cheaper on Carousell as many are selling box sets.

 

[Kayeesha]

When you click on "Virus and Threat Protection", the page should say when it had downloaded the latest updates.

Also check the "Firewall and Network Protection" page to see if Firewall is on.

OneDrive is just an OPTIONAL online backup service. But it is an incredible value for money because it can backup your whole computer, and you get 1TB online storage and Microsoft Office. It's SGD88 on Shopee, cheaper on Carousell as many are selling box sets.

Thanks, @Parka. Really appreciate you coming back to me.

With reference to your guidelines, last update was at 8:46 am, so that should be ok. I think it updates daily?

Yes, firewall is on for all three networks: domain, private and public.

I’m using the old version of Microsoft Office

 

[iCubes]

Last time you have to install your own anti-virus, but now it's built into the OS. At least that's the improvement, but most people will be distracted by the non-Microsoft anti-virus that are pre-installed.

Those are incredibly annoying. They try to scare users into renewing once the free year has lapsed saying "Your computer is at risk" and make it extremely difficult to uninstall.

 

[Parka]

Thanks, @Parka. Really appreciate you coming back to me.

With reference to your guidelines, last update was at 8:46 am, so that should be ok. I think it updates daily?

Yes, firewall is on for all three networks: domain, private and public.

I’m using the old version of Microsoft Office

The updates will be automatically downloaded whenever they are available.

Nowadays Microsoft built-in anti-virus is quite effective, and of course free.