Microsoft Defender isn't bad, but it's not enough to fully protect your PC. You don't have to pay extra, though—just use one of the top free antivirus apps we've tested.

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 ...

Bitdefender vs. Malwarebytes: Which Antivirus Offers Better Protection? Malwarebytes is best known for its free malware cleanup tool, but its full-featured antivirus software is also worth considering ...

ZDNET tested the best antivirus software on the market, with support for multiple operating systems, VPNs, and robust protection.

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 ...

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 ...

PCWorld highlights three superior antivirus alternatives to PC free trials: Windows Security, free options like Bitdefender and Avast One, and comprehensive paid suites like Norton 360 Deluxe. Free ...

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 ...