This may be super, super dumb, but i haven’t had a PC in forever and my new system, built just for the sim, is just about ready.
So, my question is about anti-virus software. Is it still a thing? Been on Mac forever and legitimately don’t know haha. Obviously this system is a big investment, so i want to make sure it’s well protected. Also want to make sure whatever choice I make doesn’t crush the sim by using background resources (I recall this being a thing in the past).
Thanks for any and all help–you guys have been amazing through this process. Look forward to posting mostly about actual flying stuff starting soon.
Windows 10 has built-in anti-virus that offers basic protection. If you’re careful online, you probably won’t have problems. If you want to be on the safe side, then consider other solutions like McAfee, Norton etc. They are recommended but not really necessary.
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Hi @SatiricWalk3153.
Microsoft supplies a firewall and an antivirus software suite called Windows Defender. Both ship with Windows 10 home and pro, are free and receive constant updates. They should be on by default with your new system, but it is worth double-checking. I have been using the combination for years and never had any problem.
I generally recommend staying away from payware alternatives because they slow the system down, often spew adds asking for you to buy subscriptions or additional products, and they are bloated with other features that are either redundant or not needed.
However, I’m sure others will disagree with that, so you should be able to get some advice on third party options below 
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ok, this is perfect. thanks so much. i really dont plan on doing anything besides msfs-related stuff on the pc, so this should definitely work. glad i asked!
Same here have been using windows defender since building pc a few years ago, not had any issue’s.
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The built in Antivirus/Firewall is very good, and don’t think you have to worry about aftermarket stuff.
FWIW- I use Zone Alarm, as I had two years paid prior to the SIM install last year. Every time their is a patch, I have to Uninstall it because it blocks the base package file from downloading from the store. Have worked with them for months and nothing they do fixes it. To keep as customer, they provided an additional two years free, so I keep it on my system mostly until patch day and then take it off, get the Sim updated and test making sure it runs, then reinstall it back onto PC. Other than that I have no real reason to have aftermarket stuff since the built in stuff works well enough.
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Just to add to that, I have been using the built-in AntiVir for years and years.
It’s only since lockdown that I have more and more online banking and shopping that I thought I’d get a commercial and strong AntiVir program.
I bought Kaspersky (cheap on Amazon) and ran a full and in-depth test. Result: nothing at all infecting the PC, Windows had blocked everything. So no need for a third party application, unless you want keylogging protection and secure keyboard etc.
As a final point, I have not noticed any “hit” on performance.
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