The digital world is constantly under siege with fresh threats popping up each day. Shockingly, over 350,000 novel malware and unwanted software applications are registered daily by AV-Test Institute. Sure enough, that’s an everyday occurrence. Generally, 90 percent of all recorded threats as of 2020 originate from malware, outstripping the 12 percent posed by potentially unwanted applications.

In the midst of it all, certain operating systems seem to bear the brunt more than others, with Windows leading the pack. A staggering 87 percent of ransomware attacks were directed at Windows-run computers up to January 25th, 2021, as stated by numerous managed service providers.

In the same vein, statistics from AV-Test revealed that in 2020 and January of 2021, Windows devices experienced the highest number of new malware and unwanted software applications. This was closely followed by Android devices, and then by Macs. In short, unless your gadget is an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad, the implementation of an antivirus software becomes indispensable.

How Antivirus Softwear Protects Your Devices

In essence, the role of antivirus software is to meticulously review your devices keeping an eye out for viruses, malware, or any form of cyber threats. Upon identifying any harmful elements, the software swiftly segregates and eliminates the suspicious file. Now, allow us to delve into this topic a bit deeper.

Here’s a rundown of fundamental features commonly incorporated in every antivirus software:

Behavior-based detection: This feature implies that the software is capable of identifying viruses and malware, whether or not they are present in the current databases.

Scans: Most antivirus solutions offer the flexibility of on-demand and on-access scans which can either be scheduled, run persistently or initiated at will.

Virus quarantine and eradication: Upon detecting a virus, the software safely isolates it to prevent further device infection and thereafter permanently deletes it.

Web browsing safeguard: Extending its protection ambit, antivirus software also shields you from potential online threats such as phishing emails and malicious websites, in addition to providing protection on your device.

Numerous antivirus software pairs with a variety of other digital security utilities, such as:

• Parental restrictions: Equipped with these controls, certain websites can be blocked to ensure online safety for children by setting screen time limits.

• Firewalls / network defense: Firewalls fend off threats on your device’s network, while antivirus software typically focuses on device-specific protection.

• Safe browsers: It could come with a secure browser like Tor, which encrypts all web activity thrice making it invisible to Internet Service Providers.

• Password keepers: Password managers store all of your login details in an encrypted safe.

• Encrypted cloud space: For handling sensitive files, encrypted cloud storage is the best choice.

• System enhancement: Certain services claim to improve your system’s operation speed by eliminating downloads and files, among other strategies.

• Identity protection: These services scan a wide range of financial and criminal sectors for the user’s personal data with the aim of preventing identity theft.

• VPN: Undeniably important, VPNs conceal a device’s web activity and IP address by encryption to ensure higher privacy and to bypass any workplace or government restrictions.

The Argument

Indeed, those asserting that antivirus software isn’t essential aren’t entirely incorrect. It’s unquestionably not required for iOS devices, nor is it available for such devices to begin with. There’s also the contention that antivirus software comes with a hefty price tag, an argument we regrettably have to concur with. Antivirus software typically costs around $40 per annum, with subscription periods generally not being any shorter. While there are free antivirus solutions available, they usually restrict aspects like the quantity of connectable devices or usage duration. Lastly, since devices like Windows and Mac come with pre-installed antivirus software, many people consider additional third-party applications to be redundant. However, after delving into it deeper, we’ve uncovered some insightful findings for our subsequent discussion…

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender Antivirus, formerly known as Windows Defender, provides ongoing protection against threats such as spyware, malware, and viruses across various platforms, including apps, cloud storage, email, and the web. However, it is only available on Windows 10 and subsequent versions. Despite its capabilities, it may not fully cater to all users, particularly those in the business sector. This is primarily because Windows Defender lacks endpoint protection and response, and also automatic investigation and remediation. To compensate for these limitations, Microsoft provides a separate software named Defender for Endpoint. However, users have the liberty to opt for third-party applications should they prefer.

macOS Big Sur Antivirus

Similarly, Mac computers operating on the Big Sur system come equipped with XProtect, an in-built antivirus software that operates silently in the background without requiring any action on the user’s part. Additional offerings from Apple include:

• Gatekeeper: This feature scans new software for malicious activities, inhibiting its operation if identified as malware.
• Sandbox mode: This allows Macs to execute apps in a contained environment, or as Apple terms it, a “virtual sandbox”, which is isolated from the remainder of the computer.

While these safeguards comprise an integral part of any antivirus software, the inbuilt protection doesn’t shield against adware or any Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) that may have been installed unbeknownst to the user. Consequently, certain malware may evade detection and invade the system. Furthermore, Malwarebytes’ 2020 “State of Malware” report noticed a surge of over 400 percent in threats against Macs in comparison to 2019. Therefore, even though one could rely solely on Mac’s built-in antivirus, redundancy is generally beneficial in digital security, and it’s crucial to have protection against adware and PUPs.

Free vs. Paid Antivirus Software

As previously mentioned, a plethora of antivirus software is available for free, either on a complimentary subscription basis or through a trial period. However, these free options do often come with certain limitations:

• Device Compatibility: The free versions of antivirus software might not be compatible with your operating system. For instance, Kaspersky’s free antivirus software doesn’t support Macs and operates only on Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
• Absence of Firewalls: None of the options on our compilation of the best free antivirus software (Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Avast, AVG, and McAfee) come with firewalls, hence you might have to invest in network security separately.
• Number of Devices: Many free options cover only a single device, whereas the average individual possesses multiple devices that require protection from viruses and malware.
• Time Limitations: Lastly, certain free options are restricted to a specific duration, such as 30 days, although there exist some apps available for unlimited use.

While free antivirus software is definitely a step up from having no protection at all, for comprehensive safeguarding across all your devices, you’ll likely have to opt for a paid subscription.