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.

NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new industry analysis released by Software Experts has identified Webroot as the top-performing platform for fast threat detection and lightweight PC security ...

The importance of anti-virus programs in safeguarding our digital experiences cannot be overstated, especially when our lives are connected to the internet more than ever. The online world has become ...

ZDNET experts put every product through rigorous testing and research to curate the best options for you. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn Our Process 'ZDNET Recommends': ...

In the days of tech yore, antivirus software was just that. You installed the application and let it scan your system for malware. But as protecting your PC became ...

Antivirus software can be confusing. If security protections are already built into Windows, what makes a third-party alternative worth the switch, much less the money you might pay for it? And heck, ...

When I read that news, I was as shocked as anyone. Did someone accidentally press a button that transported us back to 1999? People still pay for third-party antivirus software? Apparently, people do, ...

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 ...

It’s no longer a question of whether or not to back up your data but, rather, how to do it. Even with the forthcoming demise of the ubiquitous floppy, there are still enough disk, disc and tape ...