MSE, MSE + MBAM 3.0, Bitdefender, Bitdefender + MBAM 3.0, or other?

Hi all,

I'm trying to navigate the sea of opinions on this and would like to hear what you think based on a brief description of how I use my Win 10 laptop.

I do load some software, but rarely from an untrusted source and it isn't that often. I browse the internet pretty frequently so it does happen from time to time that I misclick on a pop up or somehow end up on a page that I'm not comfortable with. I have no idea if that is a large risk in itself but it does happen and I just try to close it as fast as possible.

So my question is what the best and safest way to secure my Win 10 computer based on how I use the computer? I'm more than happy to pay for software should it seem to offer a significantly better service but I'm unsure if it is even better. I have heard nice things about MBAM 3.0 but it seems like it can conflict with some AV software even when it isn't supposed to. Does it go well with Bitdefender? I've seen many recommend Bitdefender as the best AV out there but if MBAM adds something significant I would be open to running both.

If MBAM conflicts with Bitdefender but not with Windows Defender (that is the same as MSE, right?) am I better off running only Bitdefender or MSE + MBAM 3.0?

Thanks!

 

After using all AVs out there, I always go back and will now stick to ESET NOD32 AV

you only need the AV with ESET as it has a built in HTTP Scanner so it will catch and block any bad attempts for any malicious connection

Out of ll the AVs I used, it remains the lightest and the only one that has no adverse effects on the system and 0 false positives.

see how light it is here:

http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php?chart=chart4&year=2016&month=10&sort=1

I wouldn't use MBAM personally, I only use it to disinfect someone's already infected system. NOD32 is all you need. it has a great file detection scanner, HTTP scanner, and HIPS, in addition to PUP detection which a lot of AVs dont offer

 

Thanks. I really appreciate the reply. Does Bitdefender also have real time HTTP protection that would render MBAM 3.0 useless? The AV comparison test does show that ESET is not quite as good in the protection department. I know performance is hugely important to people but I likely care a little bit less about my AV being the lightest possible and a bit more about feeling as protected as possible.

Any other opinions on this question just to get a better sense of various thoughts? Places like Toms and PCMag give Bitdefender top scores but forums are yielding far more confusing results. My goal is to find the best security option for the usage I described in the OP. If it involves having to have two things running like MBAM + AV, fine, but if something like Bitdefender can do it all well, that's fine too. As I said, max performance is not a huge issue for me.

 

Bitdefender pays those sites to give them top scores always. It is great as an AV but has its own bugs since many users such as very slow internet browsing. The paid version does have an HTTP scanner.

NOD32 gets good scores in the protection maybe not 100% in the file detection department but remember, other than signature based detections, it has a behavioral detection and HIPS (Hosts Prevention Intrusions System). In all the past 10 years of using NOD32 since v2, I have never ever gotten a single virus OR false positive, that should tell you enough. Nothing beats real world user experience reviews my friend. Be smart...be like Phoenix and use NOD32

 

Thanks for your suggestion. I wish there was more of that here. For maximum protection, is ESET Smart Security Premium the absolute best or you think NOD32 is better? I also only see 2016 on Amazon rather than 2017. What, if anything, is the difference?

As far as it's possible, I really do prefer an all in one solution to my security. Whether that's ESET, BD, Kaspersky, or something else doesn't matter so much to me. I just want to trust that I have a high quality and comprehensive security software.

 

even though the name implies NOD32 is just an AV, it has a built in HTTP scanner, HIPS, and behavioral detection. You don't need anything more.

The ESET Internet Security has a firewall in addition and theft protection but the built in Windows Firewall is good enough IMO

If you buy any cheap 2015 or 2016 license, just download the latest trial 2017 from ESET's site and use that license to activate. Their license keys are not tied to one version.

 

MBAM is a good on-demand scanner if you want to check a file you think might be suspect, but I wouldn't have it running all the time like I would an AV program.

 

And he can use Virustotal.com as well. Not all use Antivirus software on their machines