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, ...

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 ...

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Avira is a cybersecurity company known for its freemium ...

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 ...

Keeping your Windows PC secure from viruses and malware is an essential part of being a Windows user. Microsoft has the Windows Security app built-in, but you might prefer something else. However, ...

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 ...

Unlike your built-in laptop antivirus protection, modern antivirus software doesn’t just protect you from dodgy downloads—it can keep the kids from looking at web pages they shouldn’t or make sure ...

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 ...

Marshall Gunnell is a Tokyo-based tech journalist and editor with over a decade of experience covering IT, cybersecurity and data storage. Alongside CNET, his work has appeared in ZDNET, Business ...

When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that ...

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 ...