(And yes, there remains a free version: after the “trial” of their pro version ends, what remains is the free version. It continues to have a good track record for removing troublesome malware other packages sometimes miss. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has evolved over the years into a full-featured security package. I can’t honestly predict these tools will remain recommendation-worthy. So to the extent that I mention specific tools below, caveat emptor: “let the buyer beware”. Some have become as much self-promotion tools as they are security tools, bombarding you with sales pitches and upgrade offers to the point of getting in the way of your work. People download and install programs thinking they are free, only to discover it’s a “free trial” or “free download” (if you want to keep it past a certain length of time, you’re required to purchase it). More than one tool that was once free has started promoting their paid product so heavily that the free version virtually disappears. This is where I run into difficulty making specific recommendations. I also recognize that Windows Security might not be right for everyone. Alternative security software and additions It should be appropriate for almost everyone. Windows Security remains a solid, free security package with minimal system impact. It’s not perfect, but no security tool is.

It has no hidden agenda - it’s not going to pester you with renewals, upgrades, or up-sells to tools you don’t need.

It keeps itself up to date using Windows Update.

It’s already installed there’s nothing you need to do.

There are also some practical reasons I continue to prefer Windows Security.

Regardless of how the data is presented, the differences among detection rates across most current anti-malware tools is relatively small compared to other factors.

There is no single clear, consistent winner.

“Highest-rated” changes depending on the date, the test, and who’s doing the testing.

Malware can and does slip by even today’s highest-rated packages.

No anti-malware tool will stop all malware.There are several reasons I stick to that position. I get push-back - often angry push-back - that it remains my primary recommendation. The ratings gameĮvery so often, Windows Security comes under fire for rating lower in tests published online than other security packages. It just does its job quietly in the background - exactly what you want from your anti-malware tool. Windows Security does a fine job of detecting malware without adversely impacting system performance or nagging you for renewals, upgrades, or up-sells. Microsoft seems to be improving it with every release. In Windows 10, Windows Security - previously known as Windows Defender - comes pre-installed.

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