Privacy Chapter 4 — Antivirus in 2025: What Actually Keeps You Safe

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Representational Picture: Antivirus

Let’s talk about why having a good antivirus is crucial. Imagine you're browsing the internet or plugging in a USB drive, and suddenly, a nasty malware slips into your system. This can happen in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, your device is infected with viruses, trojans, ransomware, or even botnets. These threats can steal your data, hold your files hostage, or turn your computer into a zombie, controlled by hackers.

Sticking with the free antivirus options (looking at you McAfee 👀) that come pre-installed on Windows? They often don’t offer the level of protection you need and act more as a bloat. In 2025, it’s worth investing in a reputable antivirus solution.

While iOS devices are generally secure and might not need extra antivirus software (we’ll dive into that when we compare operating systems), having a solid antivirus is a must for other platforms like Windows, MacOS, Android, and even Linux. A good antivirus doesn’t just scan for viruses; it actively protects you from the latest threats like ransomware that can lock your files until you pay up, or trojans that can spy on everything you do.

Now, if you’re using a Windows PC and don’t want to invest in an antivirus right away, Windows Defender is a decent option. In 2025, Windows Defender has become quite reliable and offers good basic protection. It’s built into Windows, updates automatically, and can handle everyday threats effectively. However, it doesn’t always catch more sophisticated malware that solutions like Bitdefender can. For those who want comprehensive security against complex threats, investing in a more robust antivirus is still the way to go.

For those curious about how different antivirus programs stack up in real-life tests, I recommend checking out the PC Security YouTube channel. Trust me, investing in a good antivirus is a small price to pay for keeping your digital life safe from these lurking dangers.

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Chapter 5: Password Managers →