In the latest edition of “Ask a security trainer,” the Digital Security Training team at the Freedom of the Press Foundation addresses a pressing concern from one of its readers. This week, Joe Kaspersky (no relation) inquires about the best antivirus solution for his new laptop.
Antivirus Recommendations Based on Your Laptop
Dear Joe,
The answer to your question largely hinges on the type of laptop you own. If you’re using a PC equipped with Windows 10 or 11, you’re in luck. Your device comes with robust antivirus protection built right in, and the best part? It requires no subscription. To access this feature, navigate to Windows > Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
To ensure that your built-in antivirus remains effective, it’s essential to keep your Windows updates current. Among these updates, you will find “Definition Updates,” which are crucial for helping Windows Security identify the latest malware threats. Regularly updating your system will also incorporate various other important security enhancements.
For those still operating on Windows 8 or 7, the situation is less favorable. Unfortunately, these versions no longer receive security updates, rendering them vulnerable to malware attacks. In this case, it would be wise to invest your antivirus budget into upgrading to Windows 11.
If you happen to be a Mac user, let’s address a common misconception: viruses are not exclusive to PCs. While it’s true that Macs have historically been less targeted, they are not immune to malware designed for macOS. Just as space debris can dent rooftops, Mac viruses are a reality, albeit a less frequent one.
As a journalist, you belong to a demographic that faces an elevated risk of being targeted by malware specifically crafted for your device, including Macs. However, the relative rarity of Mac viruses can be attributed to both economic and technical factors.
- Economic Factors: There is significantly more incentive for cybercriminals to target large business systems running Linux or Windows, where the potential for financial gain is greater than that from an individual MacBook.
- Technical Safeguards: Modern Macs come equipped with protective measures such as Gatekeeper and XProtect Remediator, which prevent unauthorized software from altering the operating system or executing without the owner’s explicit consent.
If you are diligent about keeping your macOS updated and only download applications from the macOS App Store, you may not need additional antivirus software. In fact, introducing a third-party antivirus solution could inadvertently increase your risk by allowing potential surveillance of your files.
Securely yours,
David Huerta
