Replaced it with Eset not long after that because even back then it was going downhill fast. Then I ditched Eset about a decade ago because Windows Defender had finally reached a point where it was pretty much as good as anything else.
At this point I suspect sticking with Windows Defender (if you have to use Windows) may be the most sensible way to reduce your attack surface. At least it’s just one company you know is already spying on you. Who knows which other antivirus companies these days are spying for profit.
That’s not true, there were several free antiviruses that were considered good back then. I’d say quality free antivirus were more popular in the mid-00s to late 00s than they are now after Windows defender got usable.
No, it definitely wasn’t the only good one 15 years ago. Maybe 20-25 years, but there were good options out there. MBAM hadn’t gone to a shitty sub model yet, and G Data and Bitdefender were around.
15 years ago avast was the only good one.
Replaced it with Eset not long after that because even back then it was going downhill fast. Then I ditched Eset about a decade ago because Windows Defender had finally reached a point where it was pretty much as good as anything else.
At this point I suspect sticking with Windows Defender (if you have to use Windows) may be the most sensible way to reduce your attack surface. At least it’s just one company you know is already spying on you. Who knows which other antivirus companies these days are spying for profit.
Or GTFO windoze entirely.
No, it was the only free one. Freeware antiviruses weren’t common back then.
That’s not true, there were several free antiviruses that were considered good back then. I’d say quality free antivirus were more popular in the mid-00s to late 00s than they are now after Windows defender got usable.
No, it definitely wasn’t the only good one 15 years ago. Maybe 20-25 years, but there were good options out there. MBAM hadn’t gone to a shitty sub model yet, and G Data and Bitdefender were around.
It was better than McAfee
Well, yeah. Actual viruses are better than McAfee (and Norton)