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    Windows Defender Replacement

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by marmaduke, Feb 13, 2009.

  1. marmaduke

    marmaduke Notebook Geek

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    When I got my laptop, it came with Windows Defender. Didn't really notice this program so I downloaded Avira AV. As it is, Defender refuses to auto update, even when I tell it to update. Last time had to download the update and install it myself.

    Do I need both Defender and Avira on my laptop? If I do, is there a freeware replacement for Defender that actually works?
     
    marmaduke, Feb 13, 2009
    #1
  2. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    If you open Windows Security Center you will see Windows Defender under anti-Spyware and Avira under anti-Virus; two different things. If you want anti-Spyware, several of the suites include it, or there is CounterSpy, or you could just get Windows Defender working. Have you actually configured Windows Defender? I assure you that it does work.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Feb 13, 2009
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  3. marmaduke

    marmaduke Notebook Geek

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    Thank you for responding. Yes. I did configure it. It actually gets as far as "connecting to server" and just sits there twidling its thumbs. It never connects, never downloads anything. Meanwhile, Avira is in the background downloading its own updates. And I have and do multiple downloads at one time. up to 4. It works for me. So I don't think Avira was hogging the bandwidth.
     
    marmaduke, Feb 13, 2009
    #3
  4. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    Perhaps your firewall is blocking Windows Defender? I get the updates via Windows/Microsoft Update, myself.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Feb 13, 2009
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