Do you still need third-party antivirus on your Windows PC?

Microsoft Defender offers great protection from malware -- but there are other online threats you might want to consider, too.

I've been testing antivirus protection since the 1980s, and I’ve consistently recommended securing your devices with a strong antivirus—yes, even a free one can do the job. In a recent post, Microsoft ...

In a proof-of-concept, a security researcher demonstrated how the Windows Security Center API can be used to block the scans by Microsoft’s built-in antivirus tool. Windows Defender can be tricked ...

Compare the best free antivirus tools for Windows 10 in 2026, including real-time malware protection, phishing defense, ransomware protection, VPN limits, ...

Best Antivirus Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs in 2026 Discover the highest ranked antivirus programs for Windows 10 and 11. See whether you need to save or splurge to protect your device, ...

Microsoft might see the Mac as a threat to its Windows platform, but that won’t stop it from protecting macOS users. The company’s Defender anti-virus software, previously a Windows exclusive, has ...