I guess I jumped the gun and got a bit defensive, however, I don't honestly think that itch doesn't have a single virus anywhere. People can upload any file they want, so they totally could upload a virus.
However, I've been kicking around on itch for just about 5 years now. I know that Itch isn't a minefield with a virus in every other download. As long as you're cautious about what you download, you should be fine.
Also, if you do encounter a virus, do the right thing and report it as such.
I'll also note, you told people to go and use a sandbox. The itch app does that by default. For the record, that is what I do most of the time, and I recommend it.Windows Defender should never be used as a last line of defence, I agree, however that's only because any virus that gets off the ground has to be able to bypass it in the first place.
I use Malwarebytes. It is a very good option and is extremely effective at blocking malicious files. Also, Firefox should be noted. Firefox stops you from even opening a downloaded file if it thinks it's suspicious. I'll admit, Firefox isn't a good last line of defence, although it's better than nothing.
Malwarebytes, as far as I can tell, doesn't give a damn about what Windows Defender thinks is okay, since it has its own database. So that sneaky Windows Defender evader would've been obliterated.
Neither Malwarebytes nor Firefox have ever blocked a single thing from itch, although they have protected me in the past on other sites.
Also, your analogy of the anti-virus being like a jammed gun is a little unfair, I'd like to think of it as a lock. Stopping the average joe from breaking in and doing as they please.
A bad anti-virus is a bad lock.
A good anti-virus is a good lock.
Also just to end off, my goal wasn't to start an argument. I understand what I wrote was a little passive-aggressive, but I was just stating my experience, not necessarily trying to downplay yours. I apologise if it sounded that way.