What do we think about computer antivirus protection?

[ErrorMargin]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Do you use one on your personal computer? Which one and why? Or why not? Does it protect against identity theft as well?

Former Product Manager for Norton Anti-Virus here...

On my Windows 11 machine I run Windows Defender. I keep the firmware on this system updated and I run Secure Boot and all the other Device Protection security items from Microsoft. Microsoft is doing a pretty good job nowadays on this, and while there may be some vendors out there doing something better than Microsoft at any point in time, in my judgement the risks of adding another vendor to the mix greatly outweigh any potential benefits.

I rely on the built in security software on my Mac (XProtect?).

I do occasionally scan the computers with Malwarebytes, but it has been many years since it found anything notable on my systems.

None of the user accounts on the computers in my house have Admin privileges

I run DD-WRT on my router and I keep it updated, and have it set to use OpenDNS for all DNS lookups for all our devices. I do not use an ISP provided router or DNS and I do not have any ISP provided hardware (such as a wireless access point) on my side of my router.

All of my IOT devices are on a private VLAN so they cannot interact with my computers. I have a separate wifi network for our guests to use that is on a different private VLAN.

I do not use any VPN, Identity Protection or other security software. I am not convinced that any of them are worth using.

That said, I am thinking about deploying OPNsense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTUvlFfThPw

[GH85Carrera]

You reminded me to go to my motherboard maker, enter the serial number of my motherboard, and download the latest BIOS update. It had been 9 months since my last update. It is always a bit scary, as it takes a while, and I know a simple mistake can brick my computer. Or require me to buy a new BIOS chip and start over.

My router is one I own, and not from my internet provider. I bought my modem as well, but a model identical to one they use. I prefer to own it, and not rent it forever.

My router is set to update the firmware automatically when a new version is available, and to do it at 2:00 AM when we are in bed asleep.