I don't advise using windows, though.I would suggest Tails, or Qubes as the OS of choice.
Linux Mint. ;-)
We use the free Avira, but go to this non-profit for latest reviews:
https://www.av-comparatives.org/
I use the free Avast on my W7 laptop. Never got hit once by trojans or nasty malware but include Malwarebytes in case as an additional..
I’ve been using Kaspersky Internet Security for years. It’s often for sale on Frys or Newegg, with great rebates.
I like Avast. It’s been good to me, and they have a great support service contract you can buy for help with ALL software problems you have. Like all software, there are good and bad things about the interface, but compared to anything I’ve used before, McAfee and Norton, it’s the best.
I only use Windows Defender and nothing else, because I’ve tried them all and there’s not that much difference between them.
I haven’t had any problems with Windows Defender interfering with Windows Updates and I haven’t had any virus or security breach on my Windows 10 OS.
just use Windows Defender and forget about it. You know where those AV programs are written don’t you?
They are available as downloads from Amazon.
run windows 10 in a virtual machine- you might want to look into programs like RollBack RX- if you get a virus, or do something that really messes up your computer- you can do a rollback- virus completely gone- computer back to normal like it was before it got messed up- This program is System restore on steroids! even if windows can’t start up- but you can get to boot menu- you will have a choice there to run a rollback- this program has saved my hide many times- I woudl recommend it to anyone especially if they only know a little abotu computers-
Malwarebytes...
I haven’t run an AV in many, many years. Active antivirus is in itself a form of malware; I’ve never seen any other type of program suck up so many resources on a constant basis for no real benefit.
What I do:
1) Scan every so often with Malwarebytes. I do NOT let it run all the time, only when I call for it.
2) Use Brave browser. (Used to use Firefox with NoScript/Adblock, but they’ve gone SJW so screw em.)
3) Steer clear of sketchy sites, especially anything that will send you involuntarily to a third party site.
4) Never click on an email link from a party I don’t recognize.
Last actual detection of malware was well over two years ago, and that had a specific cause in a site I was checking out for a client because it was hacked and they wanted me to fix it.
Last actual detection of malware when I wasn’t specifically on a job fixing malware: Before I got this computer, which is ~8 years old now.
Be smart and malware is a non-issue.
As God is my witness, I will NEVER use any product with “Norton” in the name or Symantec as the source.
Been using Windows Defender exclusively for about 5 years w/o a hitch - even with my Win10 machines.
I read the tech blogs I have seen no news coming out lately about Windows Defender interfering with Windows Updates.
I’m running Win 7 Professional, it was recommended to use C Cleaner to get rid of cookies. It’s a PAIN IN THE TUSH. It deletes certain passwords. Like FR or news sites.
Any suggestion to a much easier to use one that is not going to delete anything but the unwanted spyware cookies?
establish a new administrative login and covert your existing login account (administrative by default) to a Limited User login account (which is unable to alter the OS or programs), and use your original, now Limited User login for all daily work, using the new administrative login account only for system maintenance/changes/adds/removes.
Remove all antivirus programs and disable Windows Defender and OS updates. You’ll have a stable, nearly bullet-proof system ...