As an average user, if I run a quick scan on my Windows laptop with Windows Defender or use the free trial of Malwarebytes and they report no issues, can I safely assume that my device is secure? I understand anything is possible, but what's the likelihood that I'm in the clear? Thanks for your help!
5 Answers
I've been using just Windows Defender along with the occasional Malwarebytes free scan for years and it's worked fine for me. Honestly, the best protection is just using common sense when you're online.
Yeah, a good adblocker is super helpful too! I've been fine for decades following some basic safety rules.
You might be okay with just Defender, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone who's not tech-savvy. Malware can sneak in, especially if you're not careful with downloads and emails. It's a game of keeping one step ahead!
Definitely! Windows Defender often acts as a good filter, and Malwarebytes Free can catch any worms if you happen to explore some sketchy sites. Just remember, most issues come from the user side, so if you stay smart about your actions, you should be alright.
The free version of Malwarebytes is pretty thorough, so I think your assumption is basically correct. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t provide active scanning, so it’s good to stay alert.
True! But I'd still recommend being cautious—sometimes malware can slip through.

Yeah, for someone who's not a target for hacking or isn't downloading sketchy stuff, just using Defender should be sufficient.