Is antivirus necessary in 2026? When isn’t built-in security enough?

According to a recent Gen Threat Report, nearly one in four users encountered a cyber threat every month from April to June 2025. And more often than not, those threats don't even look like threats at all.

The Wincir Remote Access Trojan, for example, spreads through a “Scam-Yourself” attack, which tricks people into downloading malware. Similarly, the Lumma Stealer infostealer has spread through malicious links posted in comments on public GitHub repositories. AI-powered malware such as PROMPTFLUX can even modify its code to try and evade detection.

These novel threats are designed to bypass traditional defenses by exploiting trusted platforms, manipulating users, and changing their behavior. Built-in operating system security provides an important first line of defense, but dedicated antivirus software adds a stronger layer of protection.

Below, we’ll examine the native security features of the major operating systems and where additional antivirus protection can help.

Does my device still need antivirus software?

Most modern devices come with built-in security that can protect against common threats, so whether you need separate antivirus software depends on your device and how you use it. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS all include security features, but their capabilities vary, and no built-in protection can guard against every online threat you might encounter.

When comparing a dedicated security suite like Norton vs Windows Defender, reputable third-party solutions can add broader protection against malware, ransomware, phishing, and malicious websites with tools and features that built-in defenses don’t typically provide, such as a VPN or AI-powered scam detection.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the main operating systems’ built-in security features, examine their strengths and limitations, and see how dedicated antivirus software can help fill the gaps.

Windows

Microsoft Defender Antivirus (previously known as Windows Defender) is a capable antivirus tool, earning a perfect 18/18 in AV-TEST’s April 2026 evaluation. It provides real-time malware detection and ransomware protection, while Windows Security includes additional tools such as Microsoft Defender Firewall.

But test scores don’t tell the whole story, and relying solely on Windows’ built-in security has some limitations:

• Web protection varies by browser: Microsoft Defender SmartScreen integrates most deeply with Edge, while other browsers rely more on their own protections.
• Some ransomware protection is off by default: Controlled Folder Access must be manually enabled to protect selected files and folders from unauthorized changes.
• Offline detection can be weaker: Defender uses cloud-based intelligence to detect emerging threats, so some protection is reduced without an internet connection. Cybernews testing found offline detection rates fell from 98% to 89%.
• Fewer privacy and identity tools: Windows Security doesn’t bundle the same range of features as many security suites, such as a full VPN, dark web monitoring, and identity theft protection.
• No dedicated cross-platform password manager: Windows and Edge include credential-management features, but they don’t provide a full standalone password manager across devices and browsers.

And if you’re still using Windows 10, there’s another consideration. Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 in October, 2025, meaning most Windows 10 PCs no longer receive free security updates. Upgrading to Windows 11 is the best way to continue receiving regular security updates and patches.

If you’re not ready to upgrade, use a third-party security app to stay safer. Norton continues to provide security updates for its Antivirus for Windows 10, including the very latest security features such as AI-powered Scam Protection.

Android

Google Play Protect is Android’s built-in security system, and its capabilities have improved significantly in recent years. While independent testers gave it zero points for protection in a 2020 evaluation, Google reported that its security systems blocked 266 million malicious app installation attempts in 2025.

Even so, malicious apps still reach Android users. A 2025 Zscaler report identified 239 malicious apps on Google Play with a combined 42 million downloads. And while Play Protect provides important safeguards against harmful apps, it can’t protect you from every phishing link, malicious website, scam, or social-engineering attack.

Some Android threats don’t even require you to install a conventional malicious app. In late 2025, the Gen Threat Report found that Android spyware was trending upward. One example, Landfall, exploited a vulnerability affecting certain Samsung Galaxy devices and could compromise them through specially crafted image files, including those delivered through apps such as WhatsApp.

These threats show why protection beyond app scanning can be valuable. If you regularly bank, shop, or access sensitive accounts on your phone, dedicated Android antivirus software may be needed to add protection against malware, phishing, scams, and other online threats. Depending on the product and threat, security software may also help detect and remove malware already on your Android device.

Mac

Macs have traditionally been considered less vulnerable to malware than Windows PCs, partly because of their tightly controlled ecosystem and layered security architecture, including app sandboxing, Gatekeeper, and System Integrity Protection. But these defenses aren’t impenetrable, and Macs can get viruses, along with spyware, ransomware, adware, and other malware.

That said, macOS includes fairly comprehensive built-in malware protection, with several technologies working together to:

• Prevent malware from launching: Gatekeeper checks downloaded apps before they run, while app notarization helps identify known malicious software.
• Block known malware: XProtect uses built-in detection rules to identify and prevent known malware from running.
• Remediate infections: XProtect can detect and remove certain malware that has made its way onto a Mac.

The Safari browser also includes protections against dangerous websites. Its Fraudulent Website Warning can alert you when a site is suspected of phishing or other malicious activity.

But while Apple’s built-in protections are strong, no security system catches every threat. In 2024, threat researchers found that Banshee Stealer used a string-encryption algorithm associated with Apple’s XProtect to help conceal its malicious code and evade antivirus detection.

For careful users who keep macOS updated and primarily download software from trusted sources, the built-in protections may be sufficient. But if you frequently download files, handle sensitive information, or want additional protection against deepfakes and other sophisticated threats, dedicated Mac antivirus software can add another valuable layer of security.

iOS

Of the four major platforms, iOS is generally considered to be the most secure. The tightly controlled ecosystem, with strict App Store review processes, app sandboxing, and restrictions on third-party software, significantly reduces the risk of viruses on an iPhone or iPad.

But that doesn’t make iPhones immune to cyber threats. Social engineering tactics such as phishing attacks can target iPhone users just as effectively as users of other devices. And because these attacks manipulate people rather than exploit the operating system, iOS’s robust technical defenses usually can’t help.

Attackers can also exploit vulnerabilities in iOS itself. In March 2026, researchers disclosed DarkSword, an exploit kit that could compromise iPhones running certain older versions of iOS. Hundreds of millions of devices were potentially vulnerable to attacks triggered when users visited compromised websites.

And iOS security depends on keeping your device current. Without the latest updates and security patches, vulnerabilities can remain open to exploitation, potentially leaving even an otherwise well-protected iPhone vulnerable to attack. Jailbreaking your device can compound this risk by weakening iOS’s built-in security controls and interfering with automatic updates.

Because iOS tightly restricts what third-party apps can access, antivirus software works differently on an iPhone than it does on a Windows PC, Mac, or Android device. Security apps can’t perform traditional system-wide malware scans. Instead, they can add extra protections such as phishing and scam detection, malicious-site blocking, a VPN, and other privacy and security tools.

What threats can antivirus software help protect against?

Modern antivirus software, like Norton and Bitdefender, does much more than block traditional computer viruses and worms. A comprehensive security suite helps protect against a range of digital threats, from fileless malware and ransomware to phishing, scams, and identity threats.

Here's what good antivirus software can help protect against:

Malware

Malware is a broad category encompassing various types of malicious software, including viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware. Antivirus software can scan files and apps for known malware while also using behavioral and other detection techniques to identify stealthy or previously unencountered threats.

Malware can reach your device in many ways. For example, Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate or desirable software to trick you into installing them. Other infections can spread through malicious links or attachments, compromised websites, software vulnerabilities, and social engineering.

Good antivirus software can help detect and block malware before it causes harm and quarantine or remove malicious files that reach your device. Many products also detect potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), which may not technically be malware but can still compromise your privacy, security, or device performance.

Scams

Americans lose billions of dollars to internet scams every year. From fake job offers to online dating scams, these schemes often rely on social engineering rather than malware, so even the best antivirus software can’t stop every scam. However, it can provide an important extra layer of protection if you make a mistake, such as clicking a malicious link or visiting a dangerous website.

Some security suites also include dedicated scam-detection tools. Norton 360, for example, can help identify suspicious text messages and detect signs of scams in deepfake videos. It also includes Norton Genie, an AI assistant that can analyze suspicious messages and other content when you’re unsure whether something is legitimate.

Phishing

Phishing attacks use deceptive messages to trick you into clicking malicious links, visiting fake websites, downloading harmful files or apps, or revealing sensitive information. To gain your trust, scammers often impersonate familiar people and organizations, such as your bank, employer, a delivery company, or tech support.

These attacks can reach you through almost any communication channel, including emails, texts, phone calls, social media, pop-ups, and QR codes. Generative AI is making the threat more challenging by helping scammers create polished, convincing messages that can be harder to distinguish from legitimate communications.

That’s where antivirus software with anti-phishing and web protection can add another layer of defense by flagging suspicious links, blocking known malicious websites and downloads, and detecting malware that reaches your device. However, because no security tool can catch every phishing attempt, staying alert and recognizing the warning signs remain essential.

Public wi-fi threats

Public Wi-Fi can expose you to security and privacy risks, particularly if you connect to a fake or compromised hotspot. Attackers may use techniques such as man-in-the-middle attacks to monitor or manipulate network traffic, potentially putting sensitive information at risk. Stolen data could then be used for fraud, identity theft, or even sold on the dark web.

Many premium antivirus suites include a VPN to help protect against these risks. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server, making it much harder for someone on the local network to monitor or intercept it. If you regularly travel, work remotely, or use public hotspots, choosing a security suite with a VPN can add a valuable layer of protection.

Identity theft

Identity theft can happen when criminals obtain personal information through data breaches, scams, malware, or other sources and use it to impersonate you or commit fraud. Personal information exposed on data broker and people-search sites can also make it easier for scammers to target you with convincing, personalized attacks.

Some antivirus suites include identity and privacy tools that help reduce these risks. Dark web monitoring can alert you when certain personal information is found following a breach, giving you an opportunity to secure affected accounts. Other tools can identify your information on people-search sites and help you request its removal, reducing how much personal data is publicly available.

Norton 360 Deluxe includes Privacy Monitor and Dark Web Monitoring, alongside a VPN and Scam Protection. One subscription covers up to five devices, providing additional security, privacy, and scam protection across PC, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.

How to choose antivirus software

The best antivirus software goes beyond scanning for known malware signatures. Modern antivirus tools also use behavioral analysis, machine learning, and cloud-based threat intelligence to detect suspicious activity and previously unknown threats. Together, these technologies provide broader protection against emerging malware, including zero-day attacks.

Here’s what to consider when comparing antivirus software:

• Detection reliability: Look for a combination of signature-based and behavioral detection, and check independent protection scores from labs such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives.
• System impact: Antivirus should provide strong protection without noticeably slowing your device. Compare independent performance scores as well as malware-detection results.
• Device compatibility: Check that the software supports every operating system you use and that the features you need are available on each platform.
• Features: Consider what you need beyond malware protection, such as a VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring, parental controls, or scam protection.
• Updates and support: Choose a provider that regularly updates its threat detection and offers reliable customer support if something goes wrong.
• Price and renewal terms: Compare what each plan covers, how many devices it protects, and what it costs after any introductory discount expires.
• Customer reviews: Check reputable third-party review platforms for recurring feedback about reliability, usability, billing, customer support, and other real-world experiences.

Get award-winning protection with Norton

The best way to stay ahead of viruses is to have protection working before a threat has a chance to spread. Norton 360 helps detect suspicious behavior in real time, so you can shut down threats to your device or accounts before your security’s compromised.

Alongside cutting-edge behavior-based protection, you also get AI-powered scam detection with deepfake protection to help block emerging attack paths. And with our Virus Protection Promise, if malware gets through, our experts will help you remove it, or your money back.

FAQs

Do you need an antivirus if you already have a VPN?

A VPN and antivirus protect you from different types of threats, so using one doesn’t eliminate the need for the other. A VPN encrypts your internet connection to help protect your online privacy, while antivirus detects, blocks, and removes malware from your device.

A comprehensive cybersecurity solution such as Norton 360 combines powerful antivirus protection with a VPN tool to provide broader security and privacy protection.

Is it worth paying for an antivirus?

For many people, paid antivirus is a worthwhile investment. Free and built-in security tools can provide solid basic protection, but paid security suites typically add features such as behavior-based malware detection, scam protection, dark web monitoring, ransomware protection, and coverage for multiple devices.

Is Norton’s antivirus worth it?

Yes, Norton Antivirus is worth it if you want comprehensive protection that goes beyond basic malware detection. Norton consistently earns top scores in independent lab tests and, depending on your plan, includes ransomware protection, AI-powered scam detection, cloud backup, and a 100% Virus Protection Promise.

How do I know if my device has a virus?

Possible signs of a virus include unexpected slowdowns, frequent crashes, unfamiliar apps or pop-ups, unusual battery drain, and unexplained spikes in data usage. These symptoms can have other causes, however, so run a full scan with trusted antivirus software to check for malware.

Does Windows 11 need an antivirus?

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which provides built-in malware protection and may be sufficient for some users. A dedicated security suite can provide additional layers of protection and features, such as scam and phishing protection, dark web monitoring, VPN access, and security for multiple devices.