2017 Computing Device Security Software

Short and sweet points:

• Malware and ransomware will dominate, with botnets (bad people using your internet attached devices to do bad things without you knowing) close behind.  Viruses are old news
• That said, the industry is saying antivirus ware is still needed.  This is partly because antivirus ware has mutated to include the hunt for malware, et al.  However, botnets are not covered. It is hard to protect from lazy users who want to use default login ids and passwords on internet-connected devices.  It is interesting to note that the FTC is offering $25K to someone to demonstrate a tool that would warn homeowners of their botnet vulnerabilities (https://www.ftc.gov/node/1010523)
• 2017 review of antivirus ware:  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp
• Malwarebytes is still a necessary and its got better.  It might be worth paying the annual price now.
• For those going to charter who use the free McAfee, you will need to change your antivirus to what they offer:  comments on the internet on their antivirus:  https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r29844305-HSI-Charter-security-suite-upgraded