Windows defender vs anti virus

[ZeeTech]

I am going to get a windows 8.1 copy and windows defender comes i stalled with it.
Do I need to get another anti virus program or is it enough?
Do I need to uninstall the winfows defender if installing other antivirus program?
Is windows defender even an antivirus program?

Sorry for multiple noob questions

 

[Fardringle]

Windows Defender is an absolutely basic security system. It's better than nothing, but not by a large margin. If you are worried at all about security on your computer, use a real antivirus program.

 

[Bill Brasky]

^^ Yep. It's better than nothing...

I think the windows firewall plus an antivirus is a good combo. I like nod32, but most are pretty good.

 

[ZeeTech]

Windows Defender is an absolutely basic security system. It's better than nothing, but not by a large margin. If you are worried at all about security on your computer, use a real antivirus program.

So do I need to uninstall windows defender before I install anti virus prohrams like Avg,avast etc.

 

[CRCSUX]

If your AV you are installing behaves well (like I assume 99% of them do(In this area)) then windows defender will deactivate whilst the AV is running.

 

[Mem]

You can't remove Defender on Win8.1 but it will get disabled when you install a third party AV like Avast,AVG etc,easy to check by going to Security in Action Centre,there you can see if it is enabled or not.

 

[corkyg]

Leave Defender alone - just install your other AV program. Should be AOK.

 

[sweenish]

I don't even think Windows Defender needs to be replaced. Windows Firewall with my router's firewall and safe browsing with Defender does the trick just fine.

 

[SystemOverclock]

I haven't bothered with anything else but Windows Defender and Firewall for a long time now.
I haven't had issues. Then again, the last proper confirmed virus I had was about 1997 when something decided to remove all of my documents.

 

[mike2fix]

Not commenting on the effectiveness of it but Win 8 also does include MS Security Essentials.

 

[John Connor]

Windows Defender couldn't even spot the EICAR test file I downloaded. I even executed it and nothing! It's not very effective. Use a regular anti-virus product and use/configure Sandboxie. Configure Sandboxie to access your bookmarks and profile and set to delete contents on exit. Sandboxie has a forum. The reason why I mention Sandboxie is that signuture based anti-virus has not be so effective. In Windows I would also turn off autoplay.

 

[nemesismk2]

I have never had a virus running windows 7 since 2009 which has ms security essentials and i would assume that windows 8 would be as good or better. i used to have ms security essentials with windows xp and ive never got a virus. the last virus or trojan (i can't remember the name) i had was with windows 98 se.

 

[Skaendo]

I have had nothing but trouble with Windows Defender to the effect of hogging resources and network to the point that I have disabled it. In some cases Windows Defender does not turn itself off when installing other anti-virus software either, and this can drain resources very quickly.

I have gone to MalwareBytes instead. Although it is more or less just Anti-Malware and Anti-Exploit, not so much Anti-Virus. But I have had no issues since I have been using it.

One thing though, I am very cautious about the sites I visit, files I download, etc.