Is antivirus a thing anymore?

[mrsdiddlydoo]

Hi
We've got a new family laptop. What do people rely on for antivirus these days? Does free antivirus software offer enough protection or is it best to buy something? The laptop will be used for gaming, streaming, homework and home admin. Any recommendations or the opposite - software to avoid?
Many thanks in advance

Windows Defender provides complete antivirus protection if you're running Windows 10 or 11 and keep them updated automatically.

Installing any third-party antivirus can interfere with that, so don't. Some laptops come with McAfee installed, the first thing to do is uninstall it. (Setting aside what a weirdo John McAfee was!)

Malwarebytes is sometimes a useful additional scan, if you think someone might have clicked on a dodgy link - you can download and use it free of charge.

www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

Seconding everything Beachtastic said.

Amazing. It has windows 11 and wevve already uninstalled mcAfee.
Thank you guys. Much appreciated

I've been wondering this as I've just got a new one too. Which? magazine had an article a month or two back saying you very much do need one still. But I've had bad experiences with McAfee in the past conflicting with things.

Well done OP. John McAfee could have done with some antivirus protection of a different kind

https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/running-with-the-devil-the-wild-world-of-john-mcafee/

I still haven't got around to watching the documentary, should be hilarious!

You do need one, but Defender is perfectly capable and built in.

Ah, Which seemed to think you needed a commercial add on even for Macs

Apple devices are a different story, as they control everything to ensure you're locked in. You might need to use a third-party antivirus if you download apps outside the App Store, for example.

The answer is to save your money and avoid buying Apple devices 🤡😆

Well, we are a mostly Apple family, my Mac is still going strong after 10 years, and I like everything about them apart from the cost but with that lifetime it balances out. But this one is for a student DC and is a Windows one.

Antivirus is still very much a thing, especially for a family laptop used for gaming, streaming, homework, and admin tasks. Free options give basic protection, but paid antivirus is noticeably better at blocking phishing, unsafe downloads, and new threats. If you’re thinking about upgrading, keep an eye on antivirus Black Friday deals, because top brands like Bitdefender, Norton, and Kaspersky usually offer huge discounts, making it easy to get solid protection without overspending.