Do I need antivirus program? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I have default windows defender, but didnt even know its antivirus lol. Is there any antivirus installed by default on any popular linux distro? What do you use?

I feel like antivirus can just annoy me when trying to crack something, but maybe defender protects me and im not aware.

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[-] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

In my opinion windows defender is worse than not using an antivirus at all because of the false sense of security. I'm sure that the guy who got his Bitcoin stolen from downloading fake OBS software has windows defender enabled like everybody else.

I'm not suggesting you go out of your way to disable defender, but exercise common sense and good security practices instead of relying on any antivirus. Download software from package managers (winget, scoop, chocolatey) instead of from Google and always read the megathread for getting "other stuff". Install an adblocker on your browser and block as much 3rd party and Javashit as is practical. Don't use the administrator account as your main account. Sandbox your programs if you're feeling extra paranoid. Always back up everything important somewhere else. Use TRON script (r/tronscript) to clean up your computer in case you get infected.

However always keep in mind no strategy is 100% safe, but a little common sense goes a long way.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

If we're talking about common sense, then admitting to getting your bitcoin stolen by downloading fake OBS software probably isn't the way to start off the comment. That's not Windows Defender's fault, that one was all on you, and can happen with most anti-virus if you're not paying attention to what you're doing.