Do you still need antivirus software?
What changed, and why the old advice is stale
The advice to buy antivirus dates from an era when operating systems shipped with little built-in defence. That is no longer true: modern phones and computers include continuously updated protection, app sandboxing, and safe-browsing warnings that catch the large majority of everyday threats. For a cautious user who keeps software updated, that baseline is genuinely strong.
The threat landscape shifted too. The attacks most people actually face are phishing, password reuse, and scam links — problems a second factor and a password manager address far better than a virus scanner. Spending on those habits usually beats spending on more scanning software.
When extra security software does earn its place
There are real exceptions. If you download a lot of software from mixed sources, manage devices for less technical family members, or run an older system that no longer gets updates, a reputable security suite adds a useful net. The decision is about your habits and who you support, not fear.
If you do buy, judge the product by transparency and restraint: clear pricing, no aggressive upsells or scareware pop-ups, and a light touch on system performance. A suite that constantly nags you to upgrade is optimizing for its revenue, not your safety.