McAfee Livesafe update causing crash

[GigD]

McAfee Livesafe Antivirus was installed on my laptop when I bought it new at Easter 2020. I've now realised that it's automatic update caused my laptop to crash a few days ago, since the same thing happened this evening after I had it reset by HP Support this morning. I have reset it again and have uninstalled McAfee.

1, Want everyone to be aware of this - stop installing McAfee on new laptops until issue fixed

2. What Antivirus recommdended instead? Is Windows Defender sufficient?

Thanks

[Dragon-Fur]

@GigD 

Windows Defender is written by Microsoft and is part of the Windows Operating System.

Defender is certainly sufficient until - and if - you decide to invest in something else.

What?

There are as many options as there are opinions.

I pay for and use one kind, you might like another brand and kind based on your location, what your friends say, the reviews you find - and, importantly, what you need, expect, and want from your Security Software.

For example, if you shop online, do your banking online, play games, download "stuff", visit your doctor online, express yourself in every social media platform you can find - then your need for Security is much greater.

For the shopper, online enthusiast, banking-surfing-downloading, gaming, "do everything" user, paid top-of-line Security software is usually best simply because the paid "top of line" kind of Security packages provide much broader protection against the kinds of threats you will encounter.

If you are the casual user - for example, reading a bit of email, never bank online, don't visit your doctor or access your medical records, and shop only at trusted sites, standard Windows Defender or another "free" Security service is likely fine and perfect for you.

Learn more here:

Microsoft Windows Defender

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[GigD]

Thanks for your answere @Dragon-fur 

I'm a shopper / banker / research and downloader / doctor /  VLE / remote meeting tech type person (not gaming if that makes a difference), so sounds like I do need something additional to Windows Defender from what you say. 

Hoping that someone who knows about HP laptops may be able to advise on Anti Virus that will not crash my laptop like McAfee did!

[Dragon-Fur]

@GigD 

You are welcome.

OK - if you are new to Windows, you might not have had time to research Security software.

Windows Defender is good software - combined with good habits, it will protect you as much as some of the other choices.

Do not think that "HP" laptops are peculiar in their need for security.  Most manufacturers build a decent product - none of which are particularly more or less vulnerable based on brand.

Computers are vulnerable because of their Operating System (Windows), because of their Network (how well you secure the most important part of your hardware and configured environment), because of their association with other devices (phones, TVs, printers), and how the product is used.   It's not the brand - its the "whole package" that must be protected.

This is a tough question to put to others -  It is one of the more important decisions you will make about your online presence.

That said,

I have used Avast Premium.

This is a paid prescription option in the Avast family of security software.

No real issues - seems solid.

Years ago I tried Kaspersky  Security - seemed fine but I did have one "lockup" incident and that was "that".  Out it went.

Briefly, a while ago, I tried Bitdefender.

I have used Malwarebytes "free".  I understand the product is grown into a fully functional antivirus software.

Someone in our household recently looked at NortonLifeLock but did not pursue that option after purchasing and trying the product for a time.  Our needs are different enough that I did not grill that person on the why and what.

What else?

I tend to keep things tied down in other ways, for example, using whatever security is available in a particular browser, and shutting off various settings in Windows.  I do not maintain a "social media" presence (persona choice).

We update (replace) our router technology about once a year.

What to the "experts" say?

One example article - USA

PCMag - The Best Antivirus Protection for 2021 

What else?

Protect yourself by learning good habits, staying alert, using common sense, and - importantly - resisting the urge to click on things.

Understand that most breaches not caused by the user himself are a result of an institution having been breached.   For example, if you protect your computer and network - then your bank lets in the bad guys, you are in a tiny boat far away up a raging river.  You didn't do anything but there you are...

Ask your friends, colleagues, and family what they use.

Read some of the reviews of anything that sounds good and anything that someone recommends.

Consider your location.

What is good for me in the USA might be good you, too.  Or it might be useless or unavailable.

Remember that anything you read on this Community is the opinion of the person writing the message.

Nothing you read here carries any more "official" weight than would talking to one of your neighbors.

Stay Safe.

Stay Vigilant.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[GigD]

@Dragon-Fur

Many thabks for your time in thinking this through for me and for all the carefully considered info you've given.

I'll think about what you've said and. as you suggest, apply it to my own needs.

Best  and Happy Christmas

GigD