It used to be imperative to install third-party antivirus software on personal computers. Do you still need to buy a service to defend against malware in 2025?
Malware Still Plagues the Web
Malware–or “malicious software”--has infested the Internet since its earliest days. Your computer may have a malware infection if you notice a sudden loss of memory space, slower operating speeds, aggravating pop-up ads, unusual changes to your browser or system settings, or a complete and total crash. Any of these symptoms could mean that malware is operating on your computer to lock, steal, or encrypt your data.
Criminals use malware to access bank accounts or other sensitive information directly. They can also, in the case of ransomware, keep a victim’s data hostage and demand a ransom. A computer virus is a specific kind of malware that can replicate itself and, just like a virus in a human immune system, inflicts all kinds of problems in a computer’s operating system. Viruses often don’t have any criminal demands behind them, but they still wreak plenty of havoc.
Malware is proliferating more than ever, with billions of attacks each year. One study found that malware attacks rose 87% over the past decade. Perhaps that’s partly because we have many more devices now, and smartphones and tablets are just as susceptible to malware as computers are. (Macs and iPhones almost never fall prey to viruses, but they’re susceptible to other kinds of malware.)
To protect your data, privacy, and assets online, it’s essential to protect against malware. The question becomes: what, if anything, should you pay for that protection?
Why You Might Not Need an Anti-Malware Service
Thankfully, all devices these days come with built-in anti-malware programs that work well to deter most threats. The biggest player, Windows Defender, can be counted on to protect your PC from most malware. Android phones and Mac devices all possess high-quality standard protection, too.
More good news: unlike in the early days of the Internet, most of the applications we use online now have their own antivirus protections built in. Email providers scan attachments for malware, and browsers will automatically block pop-ups and warn users when they may want to turn around rather than encounter a potentially threatening site.
To make the most of these basic but effective layers of protection, be sure to update operating systems and install the latest browser versions when they become available.
…And Why You Might Want to Pay for One Anyway
We all live on the Internet to different degrees, and what malware protection you need depends, in part, on where you tend to hang out on the Internet. For one thing, frequent visits to the dark web will invite viruses into your operating system.
Some people who don’t have a heightened risk for catching a computer virus may still have heightened concerns about privacy and safeguarding extra-sensitive data. For these folks, paying for extra malware protection may be worth it. A paid service may catch malware that built-in software misses, and can provide peace of mind. Plus, now that AI is turbocharging scams and malware, these services are fighting fire with fire. All the providers below advertise AI-powered protection against malware.
If you decide that you want that extra layer of protection, here are some of the most highly-rated anti-malware services on the market.
- Malwarebytes. With personal and business plans, Malwarebytes’ Premium Security plan starts at $49.99/year. They claim to catch malware that other systems miss every second, around the globe.
- Norton 360 Antivirus. According to the reviews we read, this lead player doesn’t miss: its in-depth scan was shown to be 100% effective at catching viruses in a user test by Cybernews. https://cybernews.com/best-antivirus-software/ Their intro rate for one year starts at $39.99.
- Bitdefender. This company offers plans for multiple devices across various operating systems, starting at an intro rate of $54.99/year for up to 5 devices.
Whatever You Choose, Stay Vigilant
Don’t let any anti-malware service lull you into a false sense of security. Regardless of whether or not someone has anti-malware installed on their computer or phone, phishing remains the number one online threat. Phishing involves an attempt by criminals to lure a person into believing they are talking with a reputable institution, a known individual, or a person in need, and then stealing money or data. Not even the most sophisticated or expensive anti-malware software can protect you from that kind of attack. Check out this recent SCSA blog post to learn more about how to guard yourself from phishing attacks. When it comes to online safety, anti-malware programs are nice to have, but the very best defense is critical thinking.
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