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I've Installed 1,000+ Antivirus Apps in 40 Years. Don't Make These 8 Mistakes
Tech Optimizer
October 18, 2026

I’ve Installed 1,000+ Antivirus Apps in 40 Years. Don’t Make These 8 Mistakes

- The author has nearly four decades of experience reviewing antivirus applications and has tracked over 50 antivirus programs on Windows and macOS. - Antivirus applications vary in features, with some offering core functionalities and others providing additional features like parental controls and firewall protection. - Users should explore the full range of features included in their antivirus subscription to maximize benefits. - Users are not obligated to install all bundled applications during antivirus installation. - Caution is advised with browser extensions, as some may alter the browsing experience. - Regular updates to antivirus software are essential for protection against the latest threats. - Users should manually verify that their antivirus software is up to date, even if it checks for updates automatically. - A comprehensive scan should be conducted after installing antivirus software to identify any existing malware. - Scheduling regular full scans and daily quick scans can enhance security. - Signing up for automatic renewal of antivirus software can provide added benefits, such as expert assistance in case of a malware breach. - Users should explore and activate all components of their antivirus solutions to maximize value. - Familiarizing oneself with the settings and features of antivirus software can lead to a more tailored security experience.
How To Find And Remove Spyware From Your Android Phone
AppWizard
October 18, 2026

How To Find And Remove Spyware From Your Android Phone

Malwarebytes reports a 147% increase in spyware incidents among Android users in the first half of 2025, with SMS-based malware rising by 692% in one month. Symptoms of spyware include sluggish device performance, overheating, rapid battery drain, and excessive data usage. Recommended spyware removal applications for Android include Avast Antivirus & Security, Avira Antivirus Security, Bitdefender Mobile Security, and Kaspersky Premium for Android. Users can manually remove spyware by rebooting in safe mode and uninstalling malicious apps. To revoke administrator permissions from malicious applications, users should navigate to Settings, select Security and Privacy, and choose Device admin apps. Users are advised to exercise caution when downloading apps, even from the Google Play Store, and to implement additional security measures to reduce infection risks.
Microsoft Wants to Protect Your Linux Desktop with Defender
Tech Optimizer
October 17, 2026

Microsoft Wants to Protect Your Linux Desktop with Defender

Microsoft has expanded its Defender security software to Linux desktop environments, currently in public preview. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is designed for organizations using Linux workstations and aims to enhance security for developers who interact with sensitive resources. Key features include real-time antivirus protection, endpoint detection and response, threat investigation, vulnerability management, and centralized security monitoring. The software uses the same deployment packages and installation methods as those for Linux servers, supporting distributions like Ubuntu LTS, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, openSUSE Leap, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Rocky Linux, and AlmaLinux. Compatibility with desktop environments is based on the underlying distribution and kernel. The software identifies devices by assessing operating system metadata, and if it cannot classify a machine as a workstation, it defaults to identifying it as a server. This development follows the introduction of Defender for Linux servers in 2020. Organizations need a Microsoft Defender for Endpoint subscription and must meet Linux system requirements to use the software.
Avast settlement: Who gets a second payment
Tech Optimizer
October 17, 2026

Avast settlement: Who gets a second payment

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns about Avast's data collection practices through its antivirus software and browser extensions since at least 2014, alleging that it collected sensitive user information. The FTC's settlement order restricts Avast from misrepresenting its data usage and requires the company to pay a total of .5 million to affected users. Claims related to the settlement must be submitted by 2025, with initial payments starting in December 2025. A second round of payments will distribute over .5 million to 91,093 individuals who accepted their initial compensation, with instructions for cashing checks and receiving payments via PayPal and Zelle.
NordVPN's CTO on redefining antivirus for the AI era, and his dream security tool
Tech Optimizer
October 16, 2026

NordVPN’s CTO on redefining antivirus for the AI era, and his dream security tool

NordVPN has introduced a new offering called "next-gen antivirus" (NGAV) to address evolving cybersecurity threats, particularly those from artificial intelligence. NGAV aims to redefine online security by protecting against sophisticated threats like socially engineered scams and phishing attacks, rather than just traditional viruses. It operates in the background, alerting users to potential scams, blocking ads and trackers, and removing malware without requiring extensive technical knowledge. The company recognizes that personal AI agents present a new cybersecurity challenge and is developing features to protect these agents. NordVPN has incorporated bespoke AI solutions into its NGAV, using efficient models that can identify phishing attempts while running locally on user devices. The company has also shifted to open-weight models to reduce costs while maintaining capabilities, although sensitive areas like payment processing remain unaffected by AI. Despite privacy concerns regarding AI, NordVPN has not faced significant pushback from customers about its AI features and emphasizes its commitment to not using customer data for model training. Briedis warns that over-regulation could hinder innovation in cybersecurity. Looking ahead, he envisions a comprehensive application that monitors users' digital environments and manages their data presence online, while NordVPN plans to focus on creating localized solutions rather than hardware development.
How to protect your PC from malware
Tech Optimizer
October 16, 2026

How to protect your PC from malware

Malware, short for "malicious software," is designed to gain unauthorized access to computers or networks for purposes such as data theft and surveillance. It can be introduced through disguised software or deceptive links. To protect against malware, it is essential to install antivirus software, scan external drives before connecting them, be cautious about downloads, avoid suspicious websites and emails, update applications regularly, enable Tamper Protection on Windows, minimize file sharing, enable Firewall protection, watch out for phishing attacks, and back up data regularly. The future of malware protection may involve leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance detection and analysis of threats.
New Botnet Puts Home PCs at Risk: AV-Comparatives Publishes Malware Protection Test
Tech Optimizer
October 16, 2026

New Botnet Puts Home PCs at Risk: AV-Comparatives Publishes Malware Protection Test

AV-Comparatives evaluated 20 consumer security products against 10,000 malware samples, focusing on the x47.c botnet, which emerged in October 2026 and is marketed by WraithTools. This botnet can steal sensitive information and turn infected devices into proxies for cybercriminals. Research indicates it can extract passwords, cookies, and data from AI service accounts. The U.S. Department of Justice noted the risk to freelancers and small businesses from such threats. In its September 2026 Malware Protection Test, AV-Comparatives found that 15 out of 20 products reached the highest protection tier, with six receiving the ADVANCED+ award: Bitdefender, ESET, G DATA, Kaspersky, Total Defense, and VIPRE. The testing revealed a reliance on cloud-based detection, emphasizing the need for consistent internet connectivity for optimal protection.
Stay safe online with up to an incredible 50% off at Webroot
Tech Optimizer
October 15, 2026

Stay safe online with up to an incredible 50% off at Webroot

Webroot is offering discounts of up to 50% on antivirus protection plans for up to five devices, covering threats like viruses, scams, and identity theft. The packages include Essentials, Premium, and Total Protection, with the Essentials plan available for .99 for the first year for a single device. The Essentials Five Devices plan is also available. Webroot's software is lightweight, using only a few megabytes of disk space and approximately 5MB of RAM when idle, and around 50MB of RAM during active scans, completing scans of 150GB of data in a few minutes. It includes over 100 adjustable settings and offers a 14-day free trial for potential customers.
Expert tips to speed up your Windows PC
Winsage
October 15, 2026

Expert tips to speed up your Windows PC

A fast PC enhances productivity by allowing users to run complex software and multitask efficiently. The latest version of Windows, Windows 11 2024 Update Version 24H2, was launched in October 2024 and offers improved speed and usability compared to previous versions. To optimize a Windows PC's performance, users can take several steps: - Delete old files to free up space. - Remove unwanted startup programs through the Windows Settings app or Task Manager. - Update drivers via Device Manager to ensure optimal performance. - Pause OneDrive syncing to reduce RAM usage. - Use ReadyBoost with an external USB drive to increase memory storage. - Install antivirus software to detect and eliminate viruses. - Upgrade RAM for better performance under heavy usage. - Change power mode to "Best Performance" in settings. - Adjust Windows appearance by disabling visual effects. - Turn off unwanted notifications to minimize disruptions. - Uninstall unnecessary apps to free up resources. - Enable Game Mode for optimized gaming performance. - Restart the PC regularly to clear RAM and refresh resources. - Restore the PC to a previous setting if performance issues persist.
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