Windows Defender is a capable antivirus solution built into Windows itself. Unless you’ve installed a different antivirus program on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, your PC is using it right now.

Antivirus programs are comprehensive packages that not only detect and block virus types, but often also include functions to protect against phishing and ransomware as well as other features such as ...

You get what you pay for. That’s what they always say, right? And while that can be true for many things, antivirus software is a little different. There are reputable free antivirus solutions out ...

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 ...

Virus removal tools can be standalone one-time scanners or built into full antivirus software. They scan your system for malicious files and remove them. Standalone tools are great as a second opinion ...

Toggle the Real-time protection switch off. You may receive a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking if you want to allow the change to occur. Select Yes. When you're ready to turn system protection ...

Microsoft Defender isn't bad, but it's not enough to fully protect your PC. You don't have to pay extra, though. We’ve tested and ranked the best free antivirus apps. When the IBM PC was new, I served ...