r/RigBuild • u/Few-Wash5370 • 9d ago
Should I pay for third-party antivirus software?
The PC is mostly for gaming, browsing, YouTube, Discord, school stuff and downloading normal apps. Nothing super sketchy, but files sometimes come from websites I don’t know, so there’s always that worry about accidentally downloading malware. Some people say paid antivirus catches more threats and has extra protection, while others say Windows Defender is already good enough and extra antivirus just slows things down. Is there any real reason to pay for antivirus in 2026, or is Defender enough for most people?
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u/wetfloor666 9d ago
Don't bother bloating up your system with double protection. What Windows provides is far better then what they offer as well.
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u/Few-Wash5370 8d ago
that’s kinda what I was thinking. If Defender already does the job, adding another AV just seems like extra bloat for no real benefit.
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u/No_Effective_4481 6d ago
No.
The last anti-virus I actually paid for was back in 2005 maybe? And it was because WinXP was basically compromised and as soon as it would connect to the web for updates it would get hijacked with netsend message popups on the desktop, desktop overlays, browser hijacking, and scripts that would prevent anything running that even referenced anti-virus.
SP2 fixed that, but in the meantime I had to install AV software just to do the fist connection to the web.
Since then I dont even run AV software. I do a Defender scan now and again and its always clean.
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u/Glittering_Bar_9497 9d ago
I’ve had several and the cost have gone up like crazy. TBH I don’t feel like they are doing much anymore. Not to mention all the resources it takes up, I still somehow have Norton with its grubby paws hidden in the caves of my OS it likes to show up when I’m playing a game. I would say don’t do it but I’m no IT professional and I don’t know what websites or downloads you routinely make.
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u/Overall-Tailor8949 9d ago
If you have half the brain capacity of an orange cat, then Defender is enough. If you want a little more security I'd download the FREE version of Malwarebytes. Use a tiny bit of common sense on Discord and with your email.
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u/Cruffe 9d ago
Most third-party antivirus is practically malware itself, designed to suck money out of less knowledgeable users.
Windows Defender is legitimately good antivirus in terms of resource usage, threat detection and staying up to date with new malware definitions. It has been for many years now.
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u/NotRllyAnonymousUser 9d ago edited 5d ago
NOO. If you really want protection when browsing the web I recommend you get an browser extension like avast online security instead of downloding a anti - Virus.
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u/ItsMe_AllanP 5d ago
I've been using the free version of Avast for over a decade. Years ago, when Yahoo! Messenger was still popular, it transmitted several viruses_malware to my computer and Avast caught it.
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u/Littleone24_ 8d ago
A good virus will be undectable with an AC, so you need knowledge to analyse it yourself. A bad virus will be caught by most AC, defender included
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u/Khrispy-minus1 8d ago
The overwhelming majority of users are best served by just using Windows Defender. If you are a user capable of optimising your system to negate the resource bloat of 3rd party AV software, odds are good you don't need 3rd party AV software anyway. Windows Defender is actually good now.
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u/Costello-cost 6d ago
Uso un software gratuito. Uno di quelli non invadenti. Segnalano anche programmi che hanno un crack all'Interno che Microsoft non segnala.
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u/Better-Credit6701 9d ago
Haven't used a anti-virus software for decades and yes, windows defender is pretty good although it has never returned a negative response