Yes, you still need Antivirus Software in 2025
It’s easy to think that you can do away with extra antivirus protection given that modern-day operating systems already boast built-in security features. But have you ever heard of zero-day and zero-hour attacks? These threats expose vulnerabilities in your operating system waaay before the security vendor gets wind of it and releases an official patch. Call it your operating system’s blind side, if you will. And because it’s a new or emerging issue, it’s not something you can prepare for with built-in security features.
Being careful online doesn't mean that you aren't at risk
This is another popular argument for those who are anti-antivirus. If you stick to visiting legitimate-looking sites, reputable online stores, and download apps only from official app stores, there’s nothing to worry about, right? Wrong.
Contrary to what many people believe, you don’t get viruses and malware only from visiting sketchy websites, clicking on pop-up ads and links, or downloading suspicious files.
While research shows that adult sites are riddled with malware, they certainly do not have a monopoly on it. What you have to realize is that when you visit a website, you’re not merely “browsing”, you are downloading information and along with it are malicious codes that may contain malware. So yes, those seemingly innocent DIY websites or online schools could, in fact, unknowingly distribute malware.
Here are other cyber threats you should be aware of
- Botnets: Botnets or robot networks are basically a network of hijacked computers and devices that have been infected with malware to carry out scams and more. This means your computer can be used to send spam emails, execute click fraud, commit identity theft, infect others with adware, spread viruses, and more.
- DDoS attacks: A distributed denial-of-service or DDoS attack can shut down a website by sending more traffic than what the network can handle. Notable victims in the past include CNN, Amazon, Airbnb, Netflix, and PayPal. Reasons for the attack can range from hacktivism, jealous business competitors, political motivation, or personal revenge.
- Phishing: You know those shady emails you receive from your “bank” asking you to update your information by clicking on a link? Chances are, those are phishing emails designed to steal sensitive information such as your bank account details, passwords, and more.
- Ransomware: From the name itself, this is a type of malware that holds your files or computer hostage until you pay the attackers a ransom.
- Malware infection: Malware is a blanket term for malicious software variants that include viruses, Trojan horses, worms, spyware, and more.
There's a reason why that popular brand didn't make it into our top 10 list
Our testing process revolves around the AV’s performance, value for money, extra features, and user reviews. In addition, our top recommendations should have no history of data breach scandals or data misuse.
Below are some antivirus brands that didn’t make it into our Top 10 List for one reason or another.
- AVG: We stopped recommending AVG antivirus after they were caught (along with their parent company, Avast) selling user data to corporate clients like Google, Pepsi, and Home Depot via their marketing technology subsidiary, Jumpshot.
- Kaspersky: Even though Kaspersky is one of the most popular AV brands, we excluded it from our list after it was caught analyzing and tracking user’s web traffic last year. There have also been reports of collusion with the Russian government, though these have never been officially substantiated.
- ESET Nod32: For its relatively high price, you would think that you’ll get dedicated 24/7 tech support. There are other programs in our top 10 recommendations that rival ESET's features, but are more reasonably priced.
- CCleaner: An antivirus software’s main job is to protect us against all types of malicious attacks so when CCleaner got hacked in 2017 and again in 2019, it lost its credibility. Our top recommendations do the job of cleaning your PC or Mac as well as CCleaner does, as well as providing better security features.
- Malwarebytes: We’re all about getting the best bang for your buck and frankly, we’re not a fan of Malwarebytes subscription model. They used to offer a lifetime subscription but have since revamped their license model to purely month-to-month.
- Vipre: While it seems to be a decent antivirus solution overall, Vipre didn’t make it into our Top 10 list because it lacks vital features such as parental controls, customization options, and extras like identity protection.
- MacSweeper: We frown upon any software that employs the “drive-by-download” method just like MacSweeper. This means this rogue software silently installs itself into your device without you having to click on it or accept the download.
- MacKeeper: We didn’t include MacKeeper on our list because of its very aggressive ads. Some people reported accidentally installing it and having trouble removing it afterwards.
- Green Antivirus: Green AV promotes itself by scaring people into thinking that their computer is infected via fake anti-malware scanners before urging you to install their software for “protection”.
- PC Matic: We had to exclude PCMatic from our shortlist due to a lack of independent testing plus tons of false positives in third-party lab tests.
- Comodo Antivirus: Just like PC Matic, Comodo lacks third-party test results and also flunked our own testing, failing to protect against ransomware and malicious URL’s.
- Spyhunter: Spyhunter also didn’t make the cut because not only is it relatively expensive, but there have been user reports of Spyhunter showing fake scans in order to scare you into buying a subscription.
- ByteFence: We didn’t consider adding ByteFence into our top 10 recommendations because some users have actually reported it as a virus. According to some reports, ByteFence injects itself into your computer without your knowledge nor consent.
- Combo Cleaner: If you search a bit you will find quite a few reviews on the internet labeling ComboCleaner as a scam and calling it out for false advertising. They apparently fake user reviews, use fake scans and charge people money for rather limited "cleaning" abilities.
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