Avira free Antivirus vs Windows defender on windows 8

As we know Avira free version does not have email (client) scanning, which i believe the defender real time protection has.. So if i am installing avira free edtion am i downgrading myself?

Please shed some light.

Also i am not interested in cloud features of AV products , so protection cloud in avira pro is of no use to me.

 

I struggled with the same issue a couple years ago. My search ended when I found Avast Free which does provide email (client) scanning. I average about 350 pieces of email per day and Avast has worked just fine.

 

Eeerr..., I think we're not allowed to discuss this type of discussion. ^_^"

I don't use Win 8, but I think it's the same as MSE. AFAIK it doesn't have an email scanner, nor does Avira free. If I understand it correctly, email scanner isn't much of use since your AV should scan the email attachments when they're arrived on your PC. IMO it's better to use any AV you want and then use Sandboxie and run your email client software sandboxed.

 

So these days email scan is not a necessity as before , since attachments are scanned by all AVs. and the real time protection (on access) too am i right?

Also how windows 8 mail app attachments are handled is it using the same api that AVs use for scanning attachments (as in outlook)?

How about cloud scanning ( in panda or avira or any other AV suites) is it actually worth it?

 

1) Is there a security risk without Avira AntiVir MailGuard? = As long as Avira AntiVir Guard is active, there is no direct security risk. Moreover, Avira AntiVir MailGuard can remove virulent emails and attachments, before they reach the email program.

Also here:
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&postID=764709#post764709
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&postID=647020#post647020


2) A vs B:
Disallowing "Which is Best?" or "This vs. That" Threads and "YouTester" Video Publications