Q: 👍 Is Windows Defender enough to stay protected?

It depends what you mean by “enough”. Windows Defender offers some decent cybersecurity protection, but it’s nowhere near as good as most premium antivirus software . If you’re just looking for basic cybersecurity protection, then yes, Windows Defender is fine. But if you have a lot of sensitive information on your device which might attract hackers — banking info, login details, private files — then no, it’s not “enough”.

Q: 🛡️ Can Windows Defender protect against phishing scams?

Mostly, yes. The Windows Defender Browser Protection extension is designed to protect you from a wide range of online cybersecurity threats, including phishing emails and malicious sites which attempt to steal your personal information. But the phishing protection offered is basic, and Windows doesn’t update Defender enough to stay on top of this threat . It’s much safer to go with a low-cost premium antivirus like Norton to stay protected from phishing attacks.

Q: 🛡️ Is a free antivirus going to keep me protected from malware?

Yes and no. All the free antivirus software listed here will give you a good basic level of security. But if you’re looking for anything other than simple malware scanning and real-time threat protection, you’re going to need something more advanced, like a low-cost premium antivirus .

Q: 🚫 Are there any free antiviruses without ads?

There are, but companies need to make money somehow. If they aren’t showing you ads, they’re probably limiting features with the hope that you’ll purchase a premium upgrade. And that’s the best case scenario! Many times, antivirus companies sell their free users’ data to large businesses, and that could potentially compromise your security. My favorite ad-free antivirus is Bitdefender . It’s simple, effective, and there aren’t any ads. Avira also doesn’t have ads, but the company is a bit more obvious about trying to get you to upgrade to the paid version. Still, both of these apps are two of the best free antiviruses on the market.

Question 1

🤔 Do online virus scanners really work?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, the answer is yes and no. While there are a couple of decent antivirus scanners hosted online, they don’t have the same functionality as a downloadable antivirus program. They can’t scan your whole system for antiviruses and remove them from your computer like an antivirus software. It’s just not possible for a website to enter your computer in that way.

But there are some online resources — like VirusTotal — which can scan individual files that you upload to them, and they can also assess the safety of different websites you may browse to.

Question 2

😈 Are there websites that can remove viruses from my computer?

Accepted Answer

No. Antivirus software needs to be downloaded and given permission to erase files from your computer. Any website that is claiming to remove viruses from your computer is being dishonest. That’s why I recommended Norton’s Power Eraser — it’s a free, simple download that can detect and destroy malware and adware on your computer.

Question 3

🛡️ How do I know I can trust a virus scanner?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of fake cybersecurity companies looking to profit off of your data. I included large, reputable companies like Bitdefender and Norton on this list because they have a long history of respecting data privacy for their millions of worldwide users. VirusTotal discloses their business model on their homepage — they are able to provide free antivirus scanning because they are paid by cybersecurity companies to gather information on global malware trends.

In short, all the products listed here can be trusted 100%.

Question 4

🕵️ What’s the difference between an antivirus scanner and a vulnerability scanner?

Accepted Answer

Antivirus scanners look for known pieces of code in executable files — the “DNA” of a virus. A vulnerability scanner is designed to examine your software — whether it’s your browser, OS, or other program — to ensure that your systems are up-to-date with the latest security protections. The SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner can let you know if your software is vulnerable and recommend updates and fixes. But it won’t be able to scan your computer for malware. For that, you’ll need a downloadable antivirus.

Question 5

👍 Is Windows Defender enough to stay protected?

Accepted Answer

It depends what you mean by “enough”. Windows Defender offers some decent cybersecurity protection, but it’s nowhere near as good as most premium antivirus software. If you’re just looking for basic cybersecurity protection, then yes, Windows Defender is fine. But if you have a lot of sensitive information on your device which might attract hackers — banking info, login details, private files — then no, it’s not “enough”.

Question 6

😈 Can Windows Defender remove malware?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If Windows Defender detects malware, it will remove it from your PC. However, because Windows doesn’t update Defender’s virus definitions regularly, the newest malware won’t be detected, and as such, relying on Windows Defender as your sole antivirus puts your entire PC at risk of infection.

There are better free Windows antiviruses out there which get updated regularly. But no free antivirus can offer the kind of guaranteed malware protection that the best anti-malware programs can.

Question 7

🛡️ Can Windows Defender protect against phishing scams?

Accepted Answer

Mostly, yes. The Windows Defender Browser Protection extension is designed to protect you from a wide range of online cybersecurity threats, including phishing emails and malicious sites which attempt to steal your personal information.

But the phishing protection offered is basic, and Windows doesn’t update Defender enough to stay on top of this threat. It’s much safer to go with a low-cost premium antivirus like Norton to stay protected from phishing attacks.

Question 8

🆓 Is Windows Defender free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Windows Defender is free for all PCs that have Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 installed. But there are better free Windows antiviruses out there.

Question 9

🤔 Should I replace Windows Defender with another antivirus?

Accepted Answer

While Windows Defender has made a lot of progress over the past couple of years, Windows hasn’t been consistent about updating its software in line with the latest malware trends.

Using Windows Defender as a standalone antivirus, while much better than not using any antivirus at all, still leaves you vulnerable to ransomware, spyware, and advanced forms of malware that can leave you devastated in the event of an attack.

Here at SafetyDetectives, we recommend one of the following options:

Option 1: Combine Windows Defender with Malwarebytes. This will give you both a powerful antivirus (Windows Defender) and a powerful anti-malware program (Malwarebytes) working together to offer you pretty decent protection. If you’re looking for advanced security that will beat any other antivirus out there, combining Windows Defender with the premium version of Malwarebytes is one of the best and smartest cyber defenses.
Option 2: Choose a better free antivirus to replace Windows Defender. All of the above options are specifically designed to offer top-of-the-line virus and malware protection, whereas Windows Defender was only designed to give you the most basic protection. Again, Windows Defender is OK, but there are much better options out there. Check out SafetyDetectives’s latest recommendations of the best free antiviruses for Windows.
Option 3: Guarantee your PC’s protection with a premium antivirus. No free antivirus will offer you 100% protection, and Windows Defender has repeatedly shown to be vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and spyware. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to keep you and your PC safe, so investing a few bucks a month in a premium antivirus is hands-down the best way of protecting yourself and guaranteeing your cybersecurity.

Question 10

🛡️ Is a free antivirus going to keep me protected from malware?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no. All the free antivirus software listed here will give you a good basic level of security. But if you’re looking for anything other than simple malware scanning and real-time threat protection, you’re going to need something more advanced, like a low-cost premium antivirus.

Question 11

🚫 Are there any free antiviruses without ads?

Accepted Answer

There are, but companies need to make money somehow. If they aren’t showing you ads, they’re probably limiting features with the hope that you’ll purchase a premium upgrade. And that’s the best case scenario! Many times, antivirus companies sell their free users’ data to large businesses, and that could potentially compromise your security.

My favorite ad-free antivirus is Bitdefender. It’s simple, effective, and there aren’t any ads. Avira also doesn’t have ads, but the company is a bit more obvious about trying to get you to upgrade to the paid version. Still, both of these apps are two of the best free antiviruses on the market.

Question 12

🤔 Which is the best free antivirus for me?

Accepted Answer

It’s true that there’s a lot of free antivirus software out there. But the majority are ineffective, and some may actually be malware disguised as legitimate antivirus software!

The first thing you need to do is choose an antivirus that has been optimized for your operating system. Next, you need to see if the free antivirus will offer you all of the features you need to stay protected. Some offer a VPN, while others offer phishing protection, while others offer ransomware protection, while others offer optimization tools… There are so many choices out there, but again, it’s crucial that you only download legitimate and trusted software.

Question 13

🤔 Can Macs get viruses?

Accepted Answer

There’s a good reason why the myth that “Macs don’t get infected” continues. By design, the Mac operating system is less vulnerable to viruses than Windows.

Mac is based on the Unix operating system, which is sandboxed. This means that even if malware somehow ends up on your Mac, it won’t be able to spread. Also, the chances of malware infecting your device in the first place are slim. Apple’s built-in Gatekeeper function stops you from downloading apps that haven’t been approved by Apple.

But that doesn’t mean you’re immune from problems just because you’re on a Mac. There are all kinds of other serious threats that you need to be protected from, like malware, ransomware, spyware, adware, and phishing attacks. As more and more people use Mac computers, more and more hackers develop new ways of attacking those Mac computers — leaving you vulnerable to cybercrime.

Find yourself a Mac antivirus that fits your specific needs.

Question 14

💪 Are free antiviruses for Mac good enough?

Accepted Answer

It depends what you mean by “enough”. If you want basic protection against the most common threats, then yes. All of the 5 products listed here will protect you from viruses and malware. But they won’t necessarily protect you from other threats like ransomware, spyware, and adware.

If you’re looking for serious protection, you will need to upgrade to a paid product. And this is exactly the trick antivirus companies are using. They offer a very basic free antivirus that’s only giving you simple protection. When you realize you need something more powerful, you already have their product installed on your computer, so you think “I’ll just upgrade to the full version”. By that time, you no longer want to do research and compare brands to find the best product. Instead, you just upgrade whatever free antivirus you already have installed.

I think you shouldn’t make this mistake. If you care about your files, your emails, and your privacy, you should check out the complete list of the best antiviruses for Mac and select the best product for you, even if they don’t offer a free version to upgrade from.

Question 15

🤷 Can I just use a free online virus scanner and not download anything?

Accepted Answer

You can, but you shouldn’t. Most of these online programs which offer free virus scans scare you into thinking your computer has malware — even though it doesn’t — and then force you to download their product to “remove” it.

It’s better to download a reputable antivirus program from the beginning so you don’t accidentally infect your computer with spyware or ransomware from an online virus scanner.

Question 16

🧐 Why do these companies offer free antiviruses?

Accepted Answer

It depends. Many companies like to give you a taste of their premium product so that you’ll realize how valuable their product is and ultimately subscribe to their paid plan. Some companies will even offer free trials of their premium plan so that you can get a sense of what “full protection” looks and feels like, and then they’ll make you pay the upgrade cost to keep your system secure.

There are also companies who realize that cybersecurity is important, and they want to give each person the ability to stay protected in order to guarantee their online safety. All of the companies on our list are committed to protecting each one of its users, regardless of whether or not they’re a paying customer.

Question 17

🛡️ Which Mac operating systems (OS) do these antiviruses protect?

Accepted Answer

In general, most antivirus products will be available for OS X 10.10 and later. There are certain instances where newer Macs and operating systems benefit from better service. For instance, my top free antivirus for Mac, Avira, is only available for OS X 10.13 and later.

As a rule, it’s always a security issue to not have the latest OS running on your computer. One reason Mac offers updates is because there are vulnerabilities that hackers can break into on older, outdated operating systems. Make sure your computer has an updated OS, and make sure your antivirus is compatible with your system.

Always check with the antivirus company before downloading to guarantee that the software will work as intended.

Question 18

😈 What’s the difference between viruses and malware?

Accepted Answer

Malware means any malicious software designed to damage or compromise a computer, device, or network. It sometimes goes by other names and can take on a lot of different forms, but if it’s software designed for some kind of malicious attack on a computer system or network, it’s malware.

Examples include:

Trojan Horse. Malware that tricks you into installing it.
Ransomware. Locks your device or turns your files into random strings of code until you pay a ransom.
Spyware. Logs your keystrokes and device activity, and it steals your personal information and passwords.

Viruses are one type of malware. Computer viruses act like organic viruses — they infect a system and then multiply. They do this by inserting malicious code into the various pieces of software installed on that system.

Question 19

👩🏼‍💻 What’s the difference between antivirus software and anti-malware software?

Accepted Answer

Antivirus software specializes in fighting viruses. Viruses still represent a significant risk in today’s computing world, especially on Windows, and that’s why an antivirus is still a necessary part of a person’s cybersecurity toolkit.

But viruses are no longer the only threat. The best anti-malware software detects and destroys a much broader range of malicious applications. True protection requires antivirus and anti-malware software working together to fight off attacks.

It’s also worth noting that because the term “antivirus” is well-known among consumers, many brands associate this term with their product despite actually offering much broader protection. You need to look into the details of which features each program provides.

Question 20

😀 What’s the best anti-malware software for Windows?

Accepted Answer

All of the programs on this list offer great protection for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

I particularly like Norton’s Windows program, and Avira’s lightweight scanning engine is great for slower Windows computers which are low on hard drive space.

Question 21

📋 How do I know if my computer is infected with malware?

Accepted Answer

Signs that malware is present on a device can include:

Pop-up ads. Excessive pop-up ads are signs of an adware infection.
Error messages. Malware can cause unexpected device and software errors.
Performance issues. Malware can use lots of device resources, resulting in poor performance.

Malware can have many effects, including:

Logging your keystrokes and taking screenshots of what you’re doing online.
Stealing your credit card information and account login details.
Physically damaging your device or rendering your private documents inaccessible.

If you notice any of these signs, download a program like Norton or Malwarebytes immediately and do a full system scan.

Question 22

🤔 Does anti-malware software replace an antivirus?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Many antiviruses only protect against viruses, and they don’t offer protection against other kinds of malware. But an antivirus like Norton or TotalAV offers full anti-malware protection.

Question 23

🕵️ What is spyware and what is anti-spyware software?

Accepted Answer

Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) that spies on your device, monitoring your activity and collecting your personal information — often using it to access your online accounts or to perform identity theft.

Using spyware, hackers can steal your credit card details, passport number, web browsing history, or any other sensitive info you don’t want falling into the wrong hands.

Anti-spyware software is a type of software that detects, removes, and protects against spyware. It can come as part of an antivirus software package or as a standalone application.

Question 24

🧐 Are anti-spyware and antivirus software the same thing?

Accepted Answer

No, anti-spyware and antivirus software are not the same thing. After all, spyware and viruses are different types of malware.

Dedicated anti-spyware software detects and removes spyware, and sometimes they fight other related types of malware such as adware (unwanted advertising software).

Technically, antivirus software only fights viruses. However, “antivirus software” can also be a broader term for software that fights lots of different types of malware. The best antivirus products, such as Norton and TotalAV, have powerful anti-spyware protection included in their products — but many antivirus products don’t include spyware protection.

Question 25

🔎 How does anti-spyware software work?

Accepted Answer

Anti-spyware software can protect your personal information by:

Detecting and removing spyware already present on your device.
Preventing you from downloading spyware.
Encrypting your files to secure your private data.
Encrypting your keystrokes to confuse “keylogger” spyware.
Blocking access to your device’s camera or microphone.
Scanning the dark web for signs that your personal information has been stolen.

Question 26

💾 How can I install anti-spyware software?

Accepted Answer

You can install anti-spyware software by purchasing it from a reputable cybersecurity company and downloading it from their website.

Be careful when downloading free anti-spyware software. Some anti-spyware software, known as “rogue anti-spyware software”, is actually spyware in disguise. You can trust all the antivirus and anti-spyware products on this list.

For most users, I recommend Norton for a powerful, easy-to-use antivirus application that provides advanced spyware protection and SUPERAntiSpyware for a dedicated anti-spyware solution.

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