I've used Malwarebytes and Zone Alarm for ages but I wonder if it's best to use Microsoft's built-in firewall and Defender.

FWIW, I have switched to using the Windows applications rather than a third-party security suite. No issues to date.

I've used both of those apps in the past, but rely on the Microsoft stuff for a few years now. No issues here either.

Stopped using 3rd party apps with Windows 10, so since 2015ish. No issues.

MSFT stuff seems to work well, knocking on wood....

I bought my wife a refurb Dell Latitude laptop a few yrs ago from a local computer shop. When they set it up they just used Malwarebytes and the built-in Widows Defender program. They said it was as good as anything else. It seemed a little strange, but everything I read seemed to agree that was just as good a solution as anything. She has had no problems with it.

About a year ago I switched hers and mine to "Bitdefender" with their unlimited VPN. I dont know that it is any better, but I really like using the VPN and, bundled together the cost seems fairly reasonable.

I use Windows defender on all my machines, and scan with MalwareBytes free from time to time.

For Windows 10, the Defender Anti-Virus and Firewall embedded by Microsoft are perfectly adequate. I never had an issue, and I don't know of anyone who's had any either.

I run Bitdefender on multiple Windows 7 machines and one MacBook. I also keep a standalone copy of Malwarebytes in case I have an issue and need to run a scan for malware. I only have it for this purpose, but honestly, I haven't needed to use it in years!

Windows 10 Defender/Malwarebytes combo on my home PC. Also use Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN, but my work websites don’t like that. Everything else works fine.

Echoing the above many.
Defender on our corporate machines & some 3rd party content filtering to keep users off unproductive/potentially malicious sites.

We do use Malwarebytes on occasion to clear things up, but don't install by default.

I use the Norton suite of products and have for many years. No complaints.

I've used Windows Defender alone since upgrading to W10 when it first came out (2015) and never had an issue. Thing is, you need to do all of the updates MS puts out. There is almost always security issues in these updates. I just turn on automatic updates and let it ride.

quote:

Malwarebytes

Now days Built-in (Defender) is pretty good but MalwareBytes is better > more intuitive, configurable and deals with ransomware as best it can.
It the past malware was mostly an annoyance and MWB has made me a lot of money effectively cleaning computers.
Today the biggest fear is ransomware that can be devastating.
Using reasonable browsing techniques aka watch what you click on will get you a long way.
Nothing can fix ransomware if you go past the point of no-return where they get control.
MalwareBytes will assist with that but it or nothing can totally prevent irresonsible clicks.
MalwareBytes also is less physically consuming (bloat) on your computer as would be Norton and for God's sake don't even consider PC-Matic!

I use the built in tool the last 2-4 years or so. Never had any issues.

I augment with Malwarebytes and cCleaner as needed. To help just keep things clean & running. As others have said. If you aren't an idiot and go clicking on random mails or weird parts of the internet. People are usually good these days.

Windows 10,Defender and malwarebyte with no problems

just use the windows stuff plus I pay the annual fee to get full backup on OneDrive, which is the "3" part of my 1, 2, 3 backup plan, in case ransomware hits.

I’ve been using my Win 7 machine that I built from scratch years ago. I”ve been using Norton (Symantec) since Win 3.1. Still using it, so when I recently bought a Win 10 machine I had never heard of Windows Defender, but heard good things about it. Then without warning, Microsoft upgraded me to Win 11 against my wishes. I continued to use Windows Defender cause I was too lazy to add the new computer to my Norton subscription which I did a couple of weeks ago. I did not notice any problems with Windows Defender and have yet to hear anything bad about it. I just felt like Norton was the better deal and I’ve already had a subscription for a very long time. Not cheap either.

I used to use bitdefender. But I started using Acronis for backups. It comes with its own anti-ransom algorithm and anti-virus protection so I use it.

I just use Win Defender.

Just Defender.
The other stuff doesn’t really help and just slow things down.
Then they charge you and constantly spam you forever afterwards.