Recommended Windows Antivirus software

[Genghis]

Will Defender continue to work with Win10 once win10 support stops soon.

Once MS stops supporting 10 then there will be no updates to patch any vulnerabilities that have been discovered by those who wish mischief. I would definitely convert to 11 or if not then install a commercial AV package.

 

[daifly]

Of course it will continue to work but won't be updated after October.
Dave

 

[simond]

Of course it will continue to work but won't be updated after October.
Dave

And that is the crux of the problem. If it’s not up to date, then a “new” virus/malware/whatever will not be detected.

staying on W10 (or indeed anything else) beyond the support end date is increasingly risky.

That said, I’m still doing it with the laptop that runs my laser, but it’s only on when the laser is on, and I never go “on line” with it, so I figure the risks are minimal.

 

[Paul Stokes]

Agree regarding old windows computers, I still have one, running on windows XP Pro with a registered to me, full version of Autocad 2006, it sits alone in my modelling room nowhere near my internet connection, so will never get a virus.

 

[Paul Stokes]

I will have the next problem soon, another PC running Windows 10 which runs my Proxxon FF500 CNC miller, which will be disconnected from the internet shortly, interestingly the software the Proxxon CNC uses is by Max-Computers in Germany who have now gone into liquidation, I found this out when trying to find out if a update had been issued regarding the upgrade from W10 to W11, Axminster where I bought it from, did not really want to know , but an email to Proxxon and their technician told me by email.

 

[adrian]

For storing passwords; I find Google's own password manager pretty good, but it does seem occasionally to loose passwords. Nothing beats backing them up, disguised, in spreadsheet.

I'd highly recommend Keepass for storing passwords and sensitive passcodes etc. rather than a spreadsheet

KeePass Password Safe

KeePass is a free open source password manager. Passwords can be stored in an encrypted database, which can be unlocked with one master key.

keepass.info

It is open source and free. Versions available for Windows, Linux, Mac and mobile phones. It store the passwords in an encrypted database and opened with a master password. It has text field with each entry so you can store the answers to the security questions etc.

 

[simond]

Passwords are an issue, as we have spent the last three or four decades forcing everybody to use passwords which are difficult for humans to remember, and easy for machines to decode, resulting in everybody using their dog’s name or favourite football team, or Pa55w0rd…

Hopefully the rise of reliable and secure password managers gets round that problem.

We issued everyone at work with LastPass, which has the benefit that having a work account entitles each employee to a free home account. Hopefully this encourages everyone to use the password generator that is included for both their work and domestic needs.

KeePass sounds like a very good alternative.