The Anti-Virus Tier List

Summary

In this video, the creator provides an honest review of popular antivirus software, discussing their experiences over two decades in the industry. They caution against trusting affiliate-driven tier lists and warn against using free antivirus options and Internet Security Suites. The creator emphasizes that Windows Defender is often sufficient for home users, and that heavy antivirus suites like Norton and McAfee can slow down systems significantly. They highlight options like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes as decent choices, while pointing out the importance of user awareness in preventing infections. The overall message is that software alone won't protect you—the key is the user's behavior.

Takeaways

• 😀 Don’t trust tier lists or 'top 10' antivirus rankings on the internet as they are often influenced by affiliate sales, not performance.
• 😀 Avoid using free antivirus solutions since they often don’t provide much extra protection, and Windows Defender is a solid built-in alternative.
• 😀 Internet Security Suites are not recommended, as they often slow down your system and don’t offer much additional security.
• 😀 Avoid bundled software like password managers that come with antivirus programs, as they tend to increase system bloat without providing meaningful benefits.
• 😀 Kaspersky offers great detection rates but is resource-heavy and noisy, making it a good choice for some, but not top-tier for all users.
• 😀 Bitdefender is a solid antivirus with both free and premium options, offering decent protection, though it’s not notably better than Windows Defender.
• 😀 ESET NOD32 is a good antivirus that was once a market leader, but it’s now more resource-heavy and doesn’t provide enough additional value compared to Windows Defender.
• 😀 McAfee and Norton are seen as the worst antivirus options due to their system slowdowns, bloatware, and unnecessary bundled products.
• 😀 Malwarebytes is effective for virus removal, but it’s not recommended for continuous monitoring as it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as full-time antivirus solutions.
• 😀 For business use, lightweight solutions like Webroot or Bitdefender are recommended due to their central management features and minimal system impact.

Q & A

Why should we be cautious about tier lists for antivirus software?

Tier lists for antivirus software are often influenced by affiliate sales, meaning companies pay to have their products featured. These lists are biased and do not always provide accurate recommendations.

What is the problem with using free antivirus programs?

Free antivirus programs may not offer strong protection and often come with annoying pop-ups or bloatware. With Windows Defender being effective, there is usually no need for most free antivirus software.

Why are Internet Security Suites not recommended?

Internet Security Suites slow down your computer and do not provide significant added security compared to standalone antivirus programs. The presenter advises cancelling subscriptions to these suites.

What makes AVG and Avast undesirable antivirus choices now?

AVG and Avast, which are now owned by the same parent company, have suffered from security leaks, and their detection rates are no better than Windows Defender. They also come with intrusive pop-ups and unnecessary bloatware.

Why does the presenter consider Maffia and Norton some of the worst antivirus programs?

Maffia and Norton are criticized for being slow, heavy, and expensive. The presenter believes these programs make the computer run slower than a virus would, and they involve vendor lock-in due to bundled products.

How does Bitdefender compare to Windows Defender?

Bitdefender's free version is similar to Windows Defender, offering comparable protection. However, the presenter doesn't find it significantly better or worse, placing it in the 'pretty good' category.

What is the advantage of ESET NOD32 over Windows Defender?

ESET NOD32 has slightly better detection rates than Windows Defender, but the presenter is unsure if it justifies the cost, as Windows Defender is already quite sufficient.

Why is Kaspersky placed in the 'pretty good' category despite its excellent detection rates?

While Kaspersky has great detection rates, it is considered noisy, and the presenter expresses distrust due to its Russian origin, leading to it being categorized as 'pretty good' instead of 'excellent.'

What role does Malwarebytes play in antivirus protection?

Malwarebytes is a highly effective tool for removing infections, but it is not recommended for continuous background monitoring. It is ideal for cleaning a system rather than running as a real-time protector.

Why is Sofos considered a good tool despite not being a preferred antivirus?

Sofos is valued for its in-depth scans, particularly when looking for viruses. Its free scanning tool is highly recommended, even though the full antivirus software itself isn't favored.

What makes Webroot a good choice for businesses?

Webroot is lightweight, easy to manage, and offers excellent central management features, making it a solid choice for businesses despite its detection rates being lower than some other antivirus programs.

What is the presenter's final recommendation for home users in terms of antivirus?

For home users, the presenter recommends sticking with Windows Defender, as it provides sufficient protection without the need for additional antivirus software.

What advice does the presenter give to business users regarding antivirus programs?

Business users are advised to look for antivirus programs with central management capabilities. The presenter suggests Webroot and Bitdefender as solid options for businesses.

What is the biggest factor in keeping your computer safe from viruses?

The presenter emphasizes that the problem is not the antivirus software but the user's behavior. If you're constantly getting infected, it's more likely due to unsafe actions than software failure.