What is antivirus software and do you still need it in 2026?

Mike De Socio is a CNET contributor who writes about energy, personal finance, electric vehicles and climate change. He's also the author of the nonfiction book, "Morally Straight: How the Fight for ...

If you’re new to using a computer or new to Microsoft, or on the flip side, very, very experienced you might be thinking: Do I really need an antivirus program for my Windows 11 computer? The short ...

You get what you pay for. That’s what they always say, right? And while that can be true for many things, antivirus software is a little different. There are reputable free antivirus solutions out ...

A phone displaying the Microsoft Defender logo, with the product page for Microsoft Defender Antivirus for Windows in the background - T. Schneider/Shutterstock Antivirus software is simply essential, ...

In 2025, most devices feature built-in antivirus software that scans files you attempt to download, blocking anything it deems suspicious. Antivirus tools also perform automated scans to remove ...

Over 300,000 new types of ransomware and other malicious software are discovered daily, according to the IT security research institute AV-TEST. Computer viruses can slow your devices, create a slew ...

Protecting yourself online can be overwhelming especially in an age of social media misinformation, deep fakes and phishing attacks designed to make you believe that you're clicking on a link from an ...

Webroot - known for its cloud-based, lightweight antivirus software designed to deliver real-time protection while using minimal system resources. As cyber threats continue to target everyday internet ...

Antivirus software is necessary to install on a computer as it offers protection against several threats that can harm a computer. Windows 11/10 computers come with a built-in free antivirus software, ...