What is antivirus software and do you still need it in 2026?

calculated based on renewal prices of 69.99 $/year 34 $ 99 1st year calculated based on renewal prices of 484.65 $/year 67 $ 23 1st year calculated based on renewal prices of 119.99 $/year 49 With ...

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.

Mike De Socio is a CNET contributor who writes about energy, personal finance, electric vehicles and climate change. He's also the author of the nonfiction book, "Morally Straight: How the Fight for ...