Avast vs Windows Defender

[Michael (alan1998)]

Novter Trojan Sets its Sights on Microsoft Windows Defender
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/novter-trojan-sets-its-sights-on-microsoft-windows-defender/

Asyn, this isn't new news, unfortunately. That are many ways to block programs (even AV/AM) from running. I've personally seen advanced malware stop even advanced programs in their tracks (everything from Avast! to MBAM, MBAR (MBAM Anti rootkit), GMER, Combofix, and OTL (At the time, now we use FRST)). Defender isn't the last solution to be targeted...

[Asyn]

Defender isn't the last solution to be targeted...

Well, WD is certainly a main target (nowadays). Also, its self protection is quite poor.

[bob3160]

Defender isn't the last solution to be targeted...

Well, WD is certainly a main target (nowadays). Also, its self protection is quite poor.

All AV's are targets.

[Michael (alan1998)]

Defender isn't the last solution to be targeted...

Well, WD is certainly a main target (nowadays). Also, its self protection is quite poor.

All AV's are targets.

Bob, you're quite correct.

Don't get me wrong - WD is not the best solution out there... but compared to the good old days of Windows 7, the current version is leaps and bounds ahead of it's former self. The emphasis should not lay on a program to decide whether or not a program is malicious. The emphasis should be training users to recognize threats.

Good steps:

1) Recognizing phishing/malicious emails.
2) Trusted source downloads only. (Torrents are OK, provided you can verify hashes, and assuming they don't violate copyright)
3) Keeping programs updated. People are terrible at this.

[polonus]

Microsoft's Windows Defender has come a long way from where it once was positioned.

That is good for the Windows community not to go unprotected. 
We have avast, avast browser, avast mobile, when you use your smartphone as an access point,
avast secure browser and avast extension for other browsers.

As Google likes to let everything to run inside the browser, either Google Chrome or browsers based on it,
there is a gigantic attack surface there. Now lately also with DNS DoH over port 443 running inside the browser.
Not coming to the UK as we have heard, as authorities are opposed to this (because of filtering).
Read: https://blog.apnic.net/2019/04/08/opinion-what-does-doh-really-mean-for-privacy/

Also recently another attack surface, also inside the browser: Reductor malware
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/10/03/kaspersky_reductor_malware/

I am glad with av-solution doing the job, but also with my VoodooShield sitting there,
and keeping things from running unattended

So yep, protect your devices, but also keep your browser from harm (ad-block and script block,
for instance uMatrix and uBlockOrigin) , I write this in Avast Secure Browser with Malwarebytes extension enabled,
and Avast Hackcheck that has access to this site, while I writing this message,

polonus

[Patrick2]

While I Tried Defender for a while on my Household systems,  decided to stick with Avast Free in the end,  as scan time is so much shorter if I run manual scans once in a while,  possibly Avast Self Protection is a bit better than Defenders is.     

 Though I maybe safe with just using Defender,  as I make sure to delete any emails that I even think maybe a scam,  clean my email box weekly, including junk folder,   Make sure to manually check for updates daily, or if I forget a day, then I immediately check soon as I remember for all apps on system,  including Windows UWP Apps,  I do have a tendacy to fall for folks saying Defender is all I need in other forums when I post on other forums with totally unrelated PC problems that aren't even related to Antivirus or system security,   I must stop falling for that type of stuff and switching programs so much, always been an issue with me

Back in 2005  I was a tester for Windows Live One Care,   I know now I made mistakes then,  getting virus samples, and attempting to run them, and some got right past Windows Live One Care then,   (Bios root kits, MBR Rootkits,  system was so bad,  PC shop had to rebuild the entire system with new hardware,  lesser hardware than the original system, but at the time I  just finally wanted a working system.     Switched back after that to using Symantec Norton Antivirus,  til someone in January 2006, recommened Avast, and I switched immediately to Avast, and now if I can stop falling for those other peoples comments, and forums i'll now keep Avast installed like that past on All systems


Hardware wise back then

Went from a AMD Athlon 2500+,  Abit NF7-s (nforce chipset) Max amount of ram allowed,  Creative Xi-fi Soundcard,  Radeon 9600XT,  and 120gb Hard drive, and 320GB Maxtor think was then

Replacement Hardware
Socket 754 Sempron (forget exact model)
Radeon 9800Xt
4GB of Ram
Western Digital blue IDE hard drive
Seagate 80gb or something it was as slave drive back then

So yeah I probably went from a fairly good build,  to a really low end build for a few years,  til received a Socket 939 AMD 64 3500+ for a few more years

[Michael (alan1998)]

While I Tried Defender for a while on my Household systems,  decided to stick with Avast Free in the end,  as scan time is so much shorter if I run manual scans once in a while,  possibly Avast Self Protection is a bit better than Defenders is.     

 Though I maybe safe with just using Defender,  as I make sure to delete any emails that I even think maybe a scam,  clean my email box weekly, including junk folder,   Make sure to manually check for updates daily, or if I forget a day, then I immediately check soon as I remember for all apps on system,  including Windows UWP Apps,  I do have a tendacy to fall for folks saying Defender is all I need in other forums when I post on other forums with totally unrelated PC problems that aren't even related to Antivirus or system security,   I must stop falling for that type of stuff and switching programs so much, always been an issue with me

Back in 2005  I was a tester for Windows Live One Care,   I know now I made mistakes then,  getting virus samples, and attempting to run them, and some got right past Windows Live One Care then,   (Bios root kits, MBR Rootkits,  system was so bad,  PC shop had to rebuild the entire system with new hardware,  lesser hardware than the original system, but at the time I  just finally wanted a working system.     Switched back after that to using Symantec Norton Antivirus,  til someone in January 2006, recommened Avast, and I switched immediately to Avast, and now if I can stop falling for those other peoples comments, and forums i'll now keep Avast installed like that past on All systems


Hardware wise back then

Went from a AMD Athlon 2500+,  Abit NF7-s (nforce chipset) Max amount of ram allowed,  Creative Xi-fi Soundcard,  Radeon 9600XT,  and 120gb Hard drive, and 320GB Maxtor think was then

Replacement Hardware
Socket 754 Sempron (forget exact model)
Radeon 9800Xt
4GB of Ram
Western Digital blue IDE hard drive
Seagate 80gb or something it was as slave drive back then

So yeah I probably went from a fairly good build,  to a really low end build for a few years,  til received a Socket 939 AMD 64 3500+ for a few more years

Yeah - I regret to inform you - that tech shop hosed you. (It wasn't GeekSquad was it?)

All rootkits can be removed, may take some time, but it can be done. MBR tables can be destroyed, BIOS systems reinstalled outright (flashing, which your board support FYI). They may not have had the knowledge, but it can be done.

[Patrick2]

Former Local Place that went out of business not too long after that little incident back then in 2005.     Never used GeekSquad for any repairs thankfully lol.    That was only local shop I could afford at the time to try and get it repaired

Anyways these days much more careful when I download, and do online now


lately solve my own issues if I can or ask in online forums if an issue I can't figure out

But not gonna mess up my Intel I7 based systems  (my first ever I7 based systems, and first Intel based Systems since 2003) 

Nowadays I only open email from trusted sources,  delete if I think it's spam, or go directly to said companies site and login there

Update all programs on every system soon as an update comes out

bios updates have gone smoothly on current systems

full virus scan and Malwarebytes scan done weekly

weekly backup, system images done with Macrium reflect free

so think pretty safe these days I hope

[Asyn]

Windows Defender vs Ransomware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtTgP8JkSk

[bob3160]

Windows Defender vs Ransomware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtTgP8JkSk

Very interesting. Wish there was a comparison on a system with the free version of Avast.

[Kermit80]

Windows Defender vs Ransomware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtTgP8JkSk

Very interesting. Wish there was a comparison on a system with the free version of Avast.

from the same author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km4aKjA2T_c
Altough it's not just ransomware related

[bob3160]

Windows Defender vs Ransomware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXtTgP8JkSk

Very interesting. Wish there was a comparison on a system with the free version of Avast.

from the same author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km4aKjA2T_c
Altough it's not just ransomware related

Thanks

[andrewbaggins]

Avast is at least 1000 times better than vs Windows Defender, enough to say.

We have a Windows 10 laptop and we use the built-in Windows Defender (or whatever they're calling it this week  . Used in conjunction with Chrome browser, Lastpass password manager, and the occasional just-to-be-sure MalwareBytes scan (which we do no matter which anti-virus is installed), there's never been an infection or other problem with the laptop. I've had Windows Defender block a website from opening now and then as does Chrome sometimes, too.

With similar internet usage on our slightly older Windows 8.1 Pro laptop, Avast performs similarly well, i.e. the occasional alert or blocked website, etc. While I appreciate that the scope of Avast features and protection is beyond the core function of Windows Defender it is only fair to note that Defender does its job effectively.

[bob3160]

Avast is at least 1000 times better than vs Windows Defender, enough to say.

We have a Windows 10 laptop and we use the built-in Windows Defender (or whatever they're calling it this week  . Used in conjunction with Chrome browser, Lastpass password manager, and the occasional just-to-be-sure MalwareBytes scan (which we do no matter which anti-virus is installed), there's never been an infection or other problem with the laptop. I've had Windows Defender block a website from opening now and then as does Chrome sometimes, too.

With similar internet usage on our slightly older Windows 8.1 Pro laptop, Avast performs similarly well, i.e. the occasional alert or blocked website, etc. While I appreciate that the scope of Avast features and protection is beyond the core function of Windows Defender it is only fair to note that Defender does its job effectively.

Much of this also depends on the user.  As shown in the first video, effective protection isn't always sufficient.
Your computer, your choice.

[CraigB]

Defender is always up in the top tier group for protection, simple and effective   the cream on top is no deceptive nagware/advertising.