Microsoft Defender isn't bad, but it's not enough to fully protect your PC. You don't have to pay extra, though—just use one of the top free antivirus apps we've tested.

Computers of any kind are at risk of receiving malware, and even though Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Defender Antivirus protection, it's not foolproof.

This is an important one. Some free antivirus software programs claim they will offer real-time monitoring when you use them. This means that as you scroll on your phone or computer, or download items ...

Both Avast and Bitdefender originally built their reputations on their high-quality, free solutions. Even though they've both grown into professional-grade security companies, they still offer ...

Avast Free Antivirus for Mac delivers on its historically strong antivirus/anti-malware tools and offers some interesting network tools. However, the inConsistent web filtering and the failure of its ...

We know, it sounds too good to be true. Security isn't free, right? Well, in some cases it is. You can get everything from anti-virus to a firewall for less than a penny. In a pinch, it's a nice ...

Zephin Livingston is a former staff reviewer at Forbes Advisor, specializing in testing and reviewing privacy and security software, like VPNs, antivirus software, password managers and more. Zephin ...

Antivirus has become these days a catch-all term. It doesn’t just mean blocking literal computer viruses, trojans, and other bits of malicious code meant to attack your PC. When you opt to go beyond ...

Depending on whom you ask, paying for antivirus software is either a good investment or a total ripoff. In reality, neither viewpoint is accurate. You can find plenty of good reasons to choose a paid ...

Microsoft Defender isn't bad, but it's still insufficient to fully protect your PC. You don't have to pay extra, though. We’ve tested and ranked the best free antivirus apps. When the IBM PC was new, ...

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 ...

Dianna Gunn built her first WordPress website in 2008. Since then, she's poured thousands of hours into understanding how websites and online businesses work. She's shared what she's learned on blogs ...