My Norton has expired

No, not an old motorbike gone kaput, but the pre-installed anti-virus on our new laptop. We asked a few in-the-know people for the best alternatives (especially free ones). As we are using Windows 8 the most popular answer was Windows Defender then Avast. I have used Avast before without problem and Bitdefender is also good. But free versions of paid for AV continually ask you to upgrade or add things on or include adverts - so annoying.
So I don’t like paid for anti-virus software because it is usually intrusive and slows things down and a Google search confirmed these choices and also the idea that paying for AV is generally not worth it.
But I came across a useful list of does and don’ts for protecting yourself from viruses etc (called malware).
1.       Install a good anti-virus suite
2.       Up-date software when it calls for it
3.       Do not open links from unknown sources
4.       Take note of warnings that a site may be unsafe * but ensure the warning is from a safe source.
5.       Vary your passwords
6.       On Facebook and Twitter etc beware of “short links” which conceal the true destination
7.       Uninstall old versions of software you have up-dated
8.       Get rid of Windows XP – “it’s a sieve” (we have XP on our desk top and I am worried about migrating to 7, but perhaps it should be done?).

There are other more technical things that most of us would never do and of course the Mac and Linux brigades say use these operating systems. But for now Norton has reluctantly chugged off and Windows Defender is quietly looking after us. Do readers have other experiences or ideas?

Malcolm
Alan says

I have used AVG for many years. There is a free version or you can pay for various levels of protection. I have had Norton on several computers but found it tended to 7nteract badly with other programmes and finished up getting rid of it. AVG updates frequently so hopefully is au fait with the latest threats.

Regards,

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