Antivirus

Windows Defender covers 95%+ of threats — enough for a careful user. Paid AV adds: VPN, password manager, ransomware protection, parental control.

macOS — XProtect + Gatekeeper built in; AV mostly unnecessary. Android — Google Play Protect; don't sideload APKs. iPhone — no antivirus exists at all.

Check independent AV-Test/AV-Comparatives results. Key: low system load, no ads, local scanning. A 'free' antivirus means your data pays.

90% of infections come from phishing and pirated software, not 'viruses'. OS/browser updates, backups, MFA matter more than any antivirus.

Slowdowns, ads outside the browser, traffic spikes, new extensions, disabled Defender. Action: offline scan with Microsoft Defender Offline.

'Two AVs are better' — no, they conflict. 'Macs don't get infected' — less often, not never. 'A site infects by itself' — almost always needs your click.