[newjersey]

(Assuming you're using Windows)

Are you using a recent version of Windows (8, 8.1, or 10)?

Do you have automatic updates enabled?

Do you have standard Windows features such as User Access Control enabled?

Do you use the computer with a standard user account as opposed to an administrator (root access) user account?

If the answers to all these questions are yes, I'd say you don't need an antivirus solution. Don't listen to the scaremongers. Microsoft has got you covered.

[ninkendo]

Honestly, I haven't had antivirus in 10 years and I haven't had a problem (although my windows usage has declined over the years... I mainly just stick to steam now.)

Run updates, don't use browser plugins, stick to applications you trust, and stay away from seedy looking sites when downloading common software. (Sourceforge comes to mind.)

[kmfrk]

You should still download EMET: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/jj653751.

[plaguuuuuu]

I agree, but only if one uses noscript and requestpolicy, never torrents software, etc.

It's not that MS has you covered, moreso that AV vendors don't really catch new malware that has been mutated, packed, or whatever. So a more in-depth defense is better.

Not to mention that hilariously enough, AVG is literally selling user data now, which is what antivirus is supposed to protect against in the first place.

[mtgx]

Depends what you're doing. If you like to play with a lot of risky torrents, then Windows Defender may not suffice. I also don't think Windows Defender does a great job at protecting you against infected removable media either. Avira seems to be pretty good at all of that and light weight.

For risky websites, a combination of Chrome, WOT, ublock origin, HTTPS Everywhere and Sandboxie and/or Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit (zero-day protection) should suffice.

Using a Standard (non-Admin) Windows account and being up to date goes without saying.

[cortesoft]

Risky torrents are what VMs are for.