Is antivirus software necessary in 2025?

At this point our devices and networks should be advanced enough not to need this antivirus software more, right? Wrong. Many people these days are lulled into a false sense that the online landscape isn’t very dangerous and that they don’t need any additional security beyond what their devices already offer.

But on this point they couldn’t be more wrong: viruses and malware that prey on our devices continue to adapt and become more sophisticated and insidious than ever. And because of their growing adaptability, keeping up with all the new threats that are constantly emerging is a daunting task that not every AV platform can handle optimally.

What further complicates the problem is that today’s technological sphere has evolved to include more different types of devices than ever. Laptops, phones, smart devices, IoT equipment and even TVs have all become useful vectors for increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.

Why antivirus software is absolutely necessary in 2025

The truth is that some devices need more antivirus protection than others. Then there are some that require very little, like iPhones, as some claim, because Apple’s operating system offers solid security that makes it extremely difficult for malware to worm its way through.

However, no device or operating system is completely secure by default. Just because it comes with pre-installed AV software doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Let’s take Microsoft’s Windows Defender, one of the best solutions of its kind with features like parental controls and password managers, as an example.

The catch with Windows’ built-in security is that the best protection can only be guaranteed with consistent use of Microsoft’s other products across the board. In other words, this means using Edge instead of Firefox or Chrome, Office 365 instead of Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams instead of Zoom or Meet, and so on.

The problem is that if you insist on using alternatives to Microsoft’s products and you end up on a malicious website, there’s nothing to keep you safe other than the browser’s default security. These alternatives are not within Defender’s scope, so a third-party application may provide more comprehensive protection.

So, what’s the solution? Obviously, the worst thing you can do to yourself and your devices that hold sensitive data is to leave them without antivirus protection. But you should also avoid relying solely or blindly on software, whether pre-installed or not. Simply put, the question isn’t whether you should have antivirus software, but rather which one.

Which antivirus software is the right one?

Again, the answer is far from simple because it depends on many different factors, including the specifics of the antivirus software, the level of protection and efficiency it offers, how easy it is to use for different types of users, how much of the system’s resources device it requires, and of course – the price.

Features

The most important thing here is whether all the bells and whistles fit well with your device. Depending on the purpose of the device (personal use, remote work, business use, business development) the required features will differ.

This means that in addition to providing core security functionalities, it must also provide features needed by certain categories of users. These might include a password manager, a file shredder, file encryption, cloud storage, a VPN to keep online activities private, parental controls to manage children’s safety online, and the like.

Level of protection

Given the enormous variety of vulnerable devices that currently exist (and will be in production in the future), they will all require specific levels and types of protection suited to their specific needs.

For example, some AV platforms focus on providing strong browser protection, others offer additional network security in the form of firewall options, and some come equipped with a secure VPN, identity theft protection, and dark web scanning. Then there are the companies with superior tools designed primarily to eliminate heavy threats.

Ease of use

It is clear that the selected antivirus software must also be easy to implement for each user and their skill level in software and electronic devices. The reality is that different categories of users have different skills and experiences when it comes to protection against viruses and malware.

Therefore, a user-friendly and intuitive interface with clear and easily accessible features is a must for a basic user to efficiently manage the security of their device, while a more tech-savvy individual might tolerate some complexity here and there.

System impact and compatibility

Just like any other program installed on a device, antivirus software takes up a certain amount of resources, such as memory or CPU. Sometimes this can affect speed and performance, leaving the user to wonder if it is worth the level of protection and peace of mind it provides.

For this reason, it is important to consider the system impact of the software, as well as the compatibility between an AV platform and the device’s features, especially if it is an older device. Additionally, cross-platform protection with minimal performance impact can be particularly useful for users of multiple different devices.

Price

Finally, you should consider how much you are willing or able to spend on antivirus software, such as it is out there free options or free limited versions of premium anti-malware programs such as Malwarebytes. At the same time, there are more advanced AV platforms with multiple paid tiers depending on the features included.

In short, free AV options offer basic protection, covering essentials like virus scanning and removal, but without the more advanced options. On the other hand, paid solutions typically offer more comprehensive defenses, including real-time system and web monitoring, along with extras like identity protection and file encryption.

Last words

Unless you are using devices that are completely isolated and removed from all networks (wireless or wired), with all ports and removable media drives disabled or completely eliminated, and with no human access (which is very unlikely), leaving them without an AV connection to have. protection is not a good idea.

As time passes and new viruses and vulnerabilities appear, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with device security. That’s why you should never let your guard down: use powerful, up-to-date antivirus software along with proper security hygiene. Malicious actors certainly won’t let you drop the ball.

By Sheisoe

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