

So what about Mac users? Contrary to popular belief, Macs are not immune from viruses and malware – but malicious programs are certainly not as prolific on Apple’s flagship operating system.

The term “antivirus” is a bit of a misnomer, because there are all kinds of malicious programs out there now, from malware to ransomware, and with more of our lives now being conducted online, the threat is as big as ever. Don’t think that it won’t happen to you – because it could. Viruses and malware are still prevalent because cybercriminals know that they can be easily spread. You might think that you’re clued-up when it comes to viruses and malware, but you can never be too careful it only takes one download from an unofficial source or one dodgy link in an email and your computer could become infected. Third party antivirus software will provide a much wider range of features and protect you from more threats. But Windows Defender and Windows Firewall are still very basic tools, and we’d recommend using them alongside full antivirus software. Because they’re baked into the OS, you shouldn’t see any dip in performance when they’re running in the background, as is often the complaint with third-party antivirus software. These tools are also updated frequently by Microsoft, keeping your computer safe from the latest threats. Microsoft takes security very seriously, and Windows 10 has two built-in tools – Windows Firewall and Windows Defender – to keep users safe from threats. In recent years, operating systems like Windows 10 and iOS are becoming more security-minded, and many have argued that antivirus is no longer necessary, while others argue that it’s certainly on its way out. Protecting your computer with antivirus software has been a constant recommendation for more than 20 years now.
