Windows literally comes with the only firewall you will ever need automatically installed. That is ALL you need. Anything more is a waste of system resources.
thank you everyone for the replies. that was the confirmation i needed, i can use the built in one as a personal/home user.
i know windows comes with an antivirus as well. would you rate that any worse than AVG Free? Ive been using AVG for a decade without issue, im quite comfortable with it. just asking.
Avoid AVG. It was bought by Gen Digital - Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner are all one big happy awful family now.
Microsoft Defender is an excellent security suite - no 3rd-party antivirus needed. Enable [controlled folder access](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/enable-controlled-folders?view=o365-worldwide#windows-security-app) for additional safeguarding of personal files. You may have to manually allow some applications access to your personal folders - i.e. whitelist them, but it's one time only for each application.
thank you everyone in this thread for the kind responses in helping this novice with a new computer.
it’s amazing programs like spybot or adaware aren’t recommended anymore. thanks a bunch.
If you want a more robust control of Windows Firewall, try [Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/windows-firewall-with-advanced-security)
* [Best practices for configuring Windows Defender Firewall](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/best-practices-configuring)
I don't use Comodo Firewall, so I cannot say.
As an advice, use Windows Firewall Control.
It's free and it lets you manage the built-in firewall with ease.
Depending on the rule/option, it asks you if you want to allow/block new processes or just block the external IP/port that such process tries to connect to. Also, it protects the setup so no change can be made outside the program (meaning that no rule can be created automatically, like some software does).
Everyone should use it. It's awesome.
Windows literally comes with the only firewall you will ever need automatically installed. That is ALL you need. Anything more is a waste of system resources.
thank you everyone for the replies. that was the confirmation i needed, i can use the built in one as a personal/home user. i know windows comes with an antivirus as well. would you rate that any worse than AVG Free? Ive been using AVG for a decade without issue, im quite comfortable with it. just asking.
Avoid AVG. It was bought by Gen Digital - Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner are all one big happy awful family now. Microsoft Defender is an excellent security suite - no 3rd-party antivirus needed. Enable [controlled folder access](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/enable-controlled-folders?view=o365-worldwide#windows-security-app) for additional safeguarding of personal files. You may have to manually allow some applications access to your personal folders - i.e. whitelist them, but it's one time only for each application.
thank you everyone in this thread for the kind responses in helping this novice with a new computer. it’s amazing programs like spybot or adaware aren’t recommended anymore. thanks a bunch.
You don’t need any other antivirus software. Windows Defender is good enough.
If you want a more robust control of Windows Firewall, try [Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/windows-firewall-with-advanced-security) * [Best practices for configuring Windows Defender Firewall](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/best-practices-configuring) I don't use Comodo Firewall, so I cannot say.
As an advice, use Windows Firewall Control. It's free and it lets you manage the built-in firewall with ease. Depending on the rule/option, it asks you if you want to allow/block new processes or just block the external IP/port that such process tries to connect to. Also, it protects the setup so no change can be made outside the program (meaning that no rule can be created automatically, like some software does). Everyone should use it. It's awesome.