Do I really need Windows 10 antivirus?

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Deal with more and more complex malware attacks

If you are using Windows 10, should you get an anti-virus application? There are good reasons to do so, as we will see in this article, not to mention that the Microsoft app is so popular that it makes it a very tempting target for malware authors in terms of what you can get.

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Windows 10 is the most widely used computer program in the world, and as the OS of choice for most PCs everywhere, it represents the broader target and juice of malware authors.

See: Microsoft may finally have some encouraging news for Windows 10 users

Of course, if someone writes a piece of malware that abuses Windows 10, then there is a lot of potential targeting where malicious software might end up. Therefore, it is not surprising that Windows users (including unscrupulous people left in Windows 7) are the worst enemies of malware authors.

Now, it is true that in recent times, hackers pay close attention to Apple's Mac platform, but Windows is still the most threatened operating system. Especially when it comes to malware, Mac threats against the popularity of unwanted programs (known as PUPs) or adware. Most of the malicious stuff is thrown into Windows operating systems.

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Threatening level

Based on the latest 'malware' coverage of 2019 from Malwarebytes [PDF], the number of malware detection may remain the same as last year, but it is still a large number - and what worries us is that these threats are becoming more complex. (Note that some security clothing has shown an increase in malware over the course of 2019, such as Kaspersky).

Obviously, there is no shortage of dangers out there on the Internet, Malwarebyte recognizes that adware and Trojans (applications that look like legitimate programs, but delivering free malware) remain a major problem for Windows operating systems. In addition, there is a disturbing increase in the use of 'HackTools', a term that suggests that tools help hack into PCs, and are now being used against consumers (rather than just businesses), with an annual increase of 42%.

The popularity of hackware constantly threatens your files, exploits problems in the real world to try to deceive unsuspecting users, and to put it bluntly, Windows 10 type as a major target malware, and the increase in threats are good reasons why you should strengthen your PC protection with a good antivirus.

Windows Defender?

So, we have identified the need for antivirus in Windows 10 - and elsewhere, looking at the broader question of whether antivirus software is absolutely necessary by 2020 (the answer is 'yes', by name) - let's get to another point that some people can argue.

Which is to say that with Windows 10, you get protection by default through Windows Defender. So that's fine, and you don't have to worry about downloading and installing third-party antivirus, because Microsoft's built-in app will suffice. Is that right?

Yes, yes, no. Windows Defender used to be a joke in security circles, but it's all over now. Today's Defender is actually a robust app that can truly protect your PC in its own name, and actually gains certain rankings in reports from independent testing labs.

But the fact is that while Windows Defender is an adequate solution you can rely on, there are third-party antivirus applications that offer more functionality, and are still free - they just take a little effort to install.

So if you can take a little time to get out, it's worth installing one of the free antivirus apps to replace Windows Defender for more features and better security - and definitely avoid a potential oil spill according to Microsoft breaking Defender, which happened a few times in the past.

It is also good to consider that if you want to significantly increase the security levels on your PC with protective features such as anti-ransomware or web browsing protection, you may want to consider paid antivirus.