Having been a loyal customer of AVG Ultimate package for up to 10 devices and being in the position that I now only need for 4/5 maximum I have been looking for a new supplier. One of the reasons being that it has become extremely expensive and for another that they want to take the monies into their account one month early on the yearly contract. I need good a good package that will allow me to carry out essential transfers of funds within the UK (for family) and for security purposes online here in France. I would appreciate information please as although I was informed I had 24 hours to accept an offer made by AVG they took the offer away early. I really need to get this sorted today now.
I really don’t think you need an anti-virus package or a VPN for online banking, either in the UK or France - banking apps and websites have their own security so adding an extra layer won’t do much.
Not saying you shouldn’t have anti-virus if you are a Windows user, as a general principle of course - as well as taking the usual precautions about not clicking links in emails etc…
I am a Mac user rather than Windows, but from what I’ve read there’s nothing out there that’s a whole lot better than Microsoft’s own Defender offering for AV, which is built into Windows 10 and 11 I think. Maybe Windows peeps can confirm or deny?
Anti-virus software companies try and put the fear of God into people in order to sell their products. Also claims that they “boost the performance” of your computer are pretty dubious. Last time I tried an AV program on my Mac it slowed it down!
There are lots of reputable VPNs out there - NordVPN, SurfShark, ExpressVPN etc. if you want to anonymise your internet connection or simulate being in the UK e.g. for BBC iPlayer.
The one I use when I travel is Mullvad VPN as there is no need to have an annual subscription you can just switch it on for a month and then switch it off again. It costs €5 a month, however long you use it. For that you can install it on up to 5 devices.
I had SurfShark for a while on my Apple devices but like the AV software I found it caused more issues than it solved.
HTH.
Thank you so much for your very prompt and informative reply. I believe I may very well need to get my grandson to look at my computer to see what I am running on. I also do like the idea of Nord and more so for Mullvad VPN for myself and my grandson. I just need the security to enable me to have protection approved for my Nationwide account in the UK and may therefore be able to use Microsofts own Defender so that would be good to know.
Thanks again.
What do you mean by this?
I use Nationwide but with and without VPN (usually because the VPN is on for something else, rather than specifically banking) and it’s just fine.
Your connection to the bank is already well encrypted and a VPN doesn’t really add anything, at least when in your own home.
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Microsoft Defender is adequate as long as you are sensible. I used to use Malwarebytes but gave up 3 years ago and no problems with using Defender.
Sorry the response was not well written - the VPN is purely for media viewing purposes not for my Nationwide account. The security is for my Nationwide account as under their written instructions on their website - once I have checked exactly what I am running my computer on I will be able to decide what to go with i.e. either the Defender under Microsoft of another. Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response and welcome.
Like @JohnH I am also a Nationwide customer and have never needed to add any additional security software in order to use their online banking, whether via the website or via the app, which I use almost daily.
I had a look on Nationwide’s website and I can’t see anywhere that they ask you to install AV software in order to use their services, so I suspect what you read was just general online security advice.
Anyway have a look at MS Defender and hopefully that will do the trick and cost you nothing!
TBH quite a lot of sites will detect some VPNs and refuse to operate. Banking security is already over the top with 2 factor verification and some weird implementations of that.
We have Nord mainly so we can watch uk tv. particularly IPlayer. However I have to disable it if I wish to send emails. It tells me the email address is incorrect and kicks my mail into brouillons. Nord say they are aware of the problem and are working on a fix but won’t commit to how long it will take
I only show up after I get the email summary of posts so a bit late for your urgent enquiry (which I hope was sorted successfully) but to add my threepennorth:
I have used Norton and McAfee paid versions in the past as well as a few others but they all caused more problems than they solved and I ditched them. I now rely on Microsoft Defender (free) and sensible conduct online. From time to time I look at reviews and recommendations but not come across anything to change my mind.
I use a smart DNS service for general access to UK TV which mostly works most of the time (coded into the router settings so covers everything connected in the house). I also have NordVPN but use it only occasionally as needed and, like the antivirus products, it causes unwanted issues if left on all the time (not least I can’t get access to my router with Nord switched on and as I use it also as a NAS device with hard drives installed that is a deal-breaker for me). smartdnsproxy.com is the DNS service I use and it is very affordable - something like a dollar or two a month as I recall on a 2yr subscription.
I would disagree. 2 factor authentication is not over the top, it is the minimum level of security especially for banking. The easiest way to hack an account is social engineering and 2FA is a defence.
I have a number of bank accounts in a number of countries and all work behind a VPN or a virtual DMZ.
Yes some websites will object to a VPN but you can overcome it if you know what you are doing.
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The best form of anti virus.