Have Windows 8.1 Do I require Anti Virus for PC Gaming?

[buzzzy]

Hi - Im new to this forum -

Please accept my apologies if its already posted before?

Have Windows 8.1 Do I require Anti Virus for PC Gaming? I would like to protect the New PC Gaming I have purchased for my teenager son. Do i need one? Which ones? and I'm told to some anti virus software can be affecting lagging while play games on pc.

Any tips?

[shaithis]

No, Microsoft Security Essentials is built into Windows defender on 8/8.1

[Dooms]

Agreed with Shaithis, I used MSE for years on Windows 7 and now its built into Windows 8. Nothing extra needed imo.

[Agent]

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security...virus-rankings

MSE offers basic protection and rarely covers any new threats with any speed.

That said, unless you're likely to encountering nasties, then I'd agree it's fine for most people.

[GoodZE]

I'd go for AVG Anti-Virus (Free) just to be safe, ive used it for a couple years now and its always found and removed threats trying to board my PC :-)

[Dooms]

I guess it depends on the user. I can't remember the last time I picked up a virus but then again I know what sites and what I'm downloading these days. Gone are the days of dodgy torrents, random P2P files, extremely questionable direct download websites. In my day to day life I'm on reputable websites and actually paying money for the things I download, throw in a popup blocker for good measure and it's amazing how much it cuts down on those issues

[TheAnimus]

If you think you need "enhanced protection" or the like because of doing nudge nudge wink wink things, get a bloody VM on the go....

[james.daly91]

I paid for the full AVG version because I don't trust the built-in antivirus software personally (paranoia more than anything else). It's also nice to be able to do the whole-system scans and stuff, plus AVG blocks you getting redirected to dodgy websites. Throw into that a popup blocker (if you're using Chrome there are a few excellent popup/ad blockers you can add into the browser) and you're smooth sailing. I have heard that Norton and Avast! are two to avoid for various reasons (not sure if this is still the case - I last heard about Avast being bad like a year ago).

[Obraxis]

As long as you dont download anything from 'unofficial' websites, the built-in Windows Defender in 8.1 should be fine.

However as others have pointed out, it's not the best. It's your choice if you need more protection.