Router and Antivirus Protection
Router and Antivirus Protection
Hey there, I'm just here to gather some opinions. Norton antivirus is about to end soon—I know it's paid, but it helped my parents at the time. We really want to avoid subscription costs and save money over time. We also have an average quality wireless router from my ISP, which we’ve been using despite its limitations. Now I’m weighing upgrading to a much better router, stopping Norton antivirus, and relying on Microsoft Defender plus some basic security tips to keep my network safe. I’m fairly experienced with networking, so the advanced stuff isn’t intimidating, but I’m new to this situation and don’t know which non-commercial options are solid. I’d like advice on the top routers that offer good performance, stability, and speed for a budget of around £150 to £200. I’m considering models from Asus and Netgear and wondering if they’re more secure than my current setup and could work well with the built-in antivirus. A few notes: most devices run Windows 10 or Android 7+, I don’t have IoT gadgets like Alexa or Google Home, and I own some Samsung smart TVs. My ISP is Virgin Media (UK), and the router is a Virgin Provided SuperHub 3. I’m hoping for guidance on finding a reliable, well-supported brand that fits my needs. Thanks, Jake.
Hi @Jake.w.edwards You're asking if you should replace the ISP's modem/router with your own before purchasing. Make sure your chosen ISP actually allows this change—many won't let you block any Mac address other than the original one. I've also found Eset antivirus to be more efficient, using fewer system resources compared to popular options like Norton or McAfee.
Hi @Jarno. , Yeah that it basically what I am asking but with a mix of the security aspect. Within my router there is a Modem Mode that can be activated and reading some amazon reviews lots of people seems to have done this with Virgin media. I haven't heard of that before, is it a fully free one or will it prompt me to buy the paid for version? Thanks for your reply
There are many free antivirus options available. Most aim to promote their premium services.
It's a paid anti-virus solution. If you're looking for something free, AVG Antivirus could work well but hasn't been used much recently, so it might have changed a lot. When I used that earlier, it was quite small yet effective. I can't really suggest replacing your current modem right now—know more about enterprise options before deciding. I don’t know your budget, but companies like Juniper and Huawei offer affordable business or enterprise products. What type of connection do you have? Then I can see if something suitable exists. Would you prefer a single package covering modem, access point, and switch?
At my job we rely on Windows Defender (Windows 10) managed by a central server, which works well with the industrial firewall already in place. Would you be comfortable using a solid router with a strong admin interface and robust firewall features? I know AVG can consume a lot of resources, but I’m not sure. My current connection is just 100Mbps now, possibly increasing to 350 or 500Mbps later. It would be a WAP and Switch setup since my ISP mandates using their router even in modem mode. Thanks for your advice.