Do you still need antivirus software in 2026?

You don't need to buy antivirus anymore. Windows Defender on Windows and the built-in protection on Mac and iPhone are strong enough for home users. The real protection comes from keeping your software updated and not clicking links in suspicious emails.

Antivirus software was essential 20 years ago when hackers spread viruses through files. Now, Windows comes with a built-in antivirus called Windows Defender that's actually very good, and Mac and iPhone have protection you can't remove. The bigger threats now are phishing emails, weak passwords, and unpatched software. Things that antivirus can't stop. Spending money on third-party antivirus is mostly a waste.