Free antivirus apps can protect your PC from common threats—but paid software often adds stronger defenses, extra tools, and peace of mind. I'm here to walk you through the differences.

— Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. We all learned our lessons about computer viruses ...

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 ...

As we immerse ourselves in work, entertainment, and personal tasks online, the lurking risks of malware, hacking, and other cyber threats are always there, ready to emerge. That's why having a good ...

Looking for a new antivirus? My tried and tested favorites will improve the security of your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile ...

Discover the best antivirus software in the US for 2026. Compare top solutions like Bitdefender, Norton, and AVG to protect your devices and data.

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 ...

Windows 11 users face growing cyber threats, from ransomware and phishing to occasional zero-day exploits. Choosing the right antivirus is no longer ...

Over 300,000 new types of ransomware and other malicious software are discovered daily, according to the IT security research institute AV-TEST. Computer viruses can slow your devices, create a slew ...