I currently have McAfee for virus protection on home computers and get it free for having AT&T home internet. I am not sure if I get it free for just that or because I also have DirecTv and AT&T for cell service, but either way I get it for free.

My agency is now offering all employees Sophos anti-virus for free on up to 10 devices for as long as you are employed by the agency. I know nothing of Sophos other than it is what is on agency issued computers.

I have no problems with McAfee, but I am curious if the two are equal or if one is better than the other. I appreciate any input from anyone who knows more about this stuff than me.

Windows 10 has a built in anti-virus. I wouldn't worry about running anything else. They are just going to bog down your machine.

Interesting. I do have Windows 10.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Windows 10 has a built in anti-virus. I wouldn't worry about running anything else. They are just going to bog down your machine.

Yep. And I, personally, stay as far away from McAffee as I can.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
Windows 10 has a built in anti-virus. I wouldn't worry about running anything else. They are just going to bog down your machine.

^^^^ this.

Windows Defender, is provided for free in the Win10 OS.

Defender doesn’t package up data on everything you do to, and selling that to third-party companies.

Access Defender, two ways:
-use the Start or Windows button, type in Windows Defender.

- using the Windows Security link, and check the other options for Account, firewall, app and browser. You want to see green check marks.

And install Malwarebytes.
When the 14 day trial ends, set a reminder to manually update and run the program at least once a week, or when you suspect something is awry.

Now run a backup.
- Use Start or the Windows button and type in Backup.

And then, make sure you have the Win10 security updates

Run another backup.

I have been in IT security, then Cloud and now Cyber. I teach this stuff.

Do not run a third party anti virus application, with Defender running at the same time.
If you have a 3rd party AV app, then shutdown the Defender services.
Else a race condition initiates on the system, increasing memory and disk resources.

Others will have their recommendations too.

Email me if you need assistance.
--chris

Sophos seems quite good. I have it on MACs.

Mcafee is literally a virus.

Used Sophos while in IT at another employer. It was installed on several thousand computers.

It is a resource hog.

I appreciate all the input.

I have had nothing but bad experiences with Norton or McAfee.

Would never knowingly allow any of their stuff on my computers.

I have never had problems with McAfee though I do not exactly think it is the best thing out there. I learned the hard way not to allow ANYTHING by Norton on a machine.

We had this computer built a few months ago and the guy put the newest version of McAfee on it and we aren't having any problems, in fact, it has caught quite a few sites that loaded malware and blocked that Norton would allow.

I don't know how much of a difference the paid version is over the free one, but it's working fine with Windows 10 Pro.

Sophos is really good, but like others have said, it will bog down your computer.