PC Magazine - USA (2021-12)

To me, it’s most telling that Defender’s developers

seem to consider it a fallback solution. When you

install third-party antivirus software on your

Windows machine, Windows Defender doesn’t

interfere with it. But if you uninstall your third-

party protection, Windows Defender activates

again. There’s also the simple fact that the best

antivirus tools, even the best free antivirus

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more features than Defender.

I presented all of the above information to my

spouse, and he grumbled something about not

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I couldn’t change his mind, but I know he has

diligent security habits, such as avoiding

malware-infested websites and refusing to open

email links, so I can be optimistic that his

computer will remain secure.

But to be the safest you can be, install third-party

antivirus on your Windows computer. And while

you’re at it, consider antivirus for your Android

devices, too. Apple’s iOS is tight as a drum, so you

don’t need much help there—but macOS malware

exists, and it’s also a good idea to safeguard

against it with antivirus protection for Macs.

K

i

m

K

e

y

@ kimnewsome

Kim Key covers

security and

streaming services for

PCMag. She has

previously written for

CNN, Fanbyte,

Mashable, the New

York Times, and

TechRadar.

PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I DECEMBER 2021