Do You Need Antivirus Software in 2025?

With technology rapidly evolving, and many of our devices now containing built-in security features, you may be wondering if it’s still necessary to have antivirus software in 2025.

While it’s true that today’s major operating systems and certain apps do receive updates from developers, it’s also important to remember that cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with attackers targeting anyone from basic users to global corporations.

And so what’s the answer? Let’s explore whether you really need antivirus software to protect your sensitive data and privacy in 2025.

Who Needs Antivirus Software?

With our lives becoming increasingly internet-connected, and cyber criminals showing no sign of slowing down their malicious campaigns to steal and exploit sensitive data, perhaps the real question should be: Who doesn’t need antivirus software?

Whether we like it or not, fraudsters are constantly fine-tuning and developing new, cunning schemes and harmful software, with individuals and organized hacking groups targeting anyone from everyday surfers to small businesses and even tech titans.

Even with devices like iPhone that are typically known to be a strong defence against malware and viruses, being hacked and monitored is not impossible.

Here are a few key reasons to consider using cyber security software from a trusted, reliable antivirus provider:

• General Everyday Protection: Even if you’re a casual user, only venturing online for activities like browsing, social media, online banking, emails and shopping, your various devices should ideally be protected by antivirus; while these activities and related platforms may seem low-key, they are also information-rich, which is why fraudsters relentlessly run campaigns (like phishing and spoofed website scams) with hopes of stealing and exploiting your sensitive data
• File Download Protection: If you frequently download files, whether from emails, social/chat platforms, websites or peer-to-peer services (such as torrenting), the risk of your device being infected by stealthy malware naturally increases; with antivirus software installed, however, downloads will be monitored, meaning they’ll be scanned in real-time for the very latest threats, and instantly removed if necessary
• Remote Work Protection: If your job involves regular travel and commuting, you’ll no doubt have to carry out work-related tasks by connecting to potentially unsecure public WiFi networks (such as notoriously unsafe airport/café hotspots); antivirus software with firewall protection and Virtual Private Network services (like TotalAV), however, can encrypt your data on these out-of-office connections, bolstering the privacy of critical company data and personally identifiable info
• Gaming Protection: As the online gaming industry continues to boom, connecting gamers from all corners of the globe, scammers are also growing in number, lurking in communities under the guise of fellow gamers; thankfully, antivirus developed for gamers has your back, capable of not just providing essential security measures against hidden threats, but doing so quietly without impacting gaming performance
• IoT Device Protection: Nowadays, more and more of us rely on IoT (Internet of Things) devices in the home, including smart speakers, thermostats and security cameras, which can have notoriously weak security; some of today’s leading antivirus software, however, can provide network-level protection capable of monitoring and securing these various devices

How Has Antivirus Software Evolved?

Antivirus has drastically changed, with modern day software capable of so much more than simple file scanning to detect viruses. Here’s the kind of multi-threat protection you can expect to find from today’s industry-leading cyber security providers:

• Malware & Ransomware Protection: Often making headlines, these malicious programs can stealthily monitor your activity, and even hold your data hostage via system hijacking; TotalAV includes advanced protection against these notorious threats
• Real-Time Threat Protection: Machine learning (ML), a form of artificial intelligence utilized by TotalAV, can detect suspicious behaviours as they happen, helping to shield against unknown threats before they can cause harm
• Phishing & Fraud Protection: Phishing, one of the most common cyber scams (often spread by emails and social media), tricks users into revealing sensitive info; Total WebShield actively scans, detects and blocks phishing/malicious websites

The Rise of AI & Machine Learning in Cyber Security

As cyber crime evolves, so does cyber security. This has been true for many years, with the industry’s leading Antivirus providers continually adapting their innovative technologies – and the next big leap could be the incorporation of AI and machine learning.

By using this advanced technology, providers can detect unknown threats based on patterns of behaviour, which can be particularly useful for identifying zero-day exploits and ransomware. 

While this level of advanced protection may come as a premium tool, and be better suited to those whose internet activities carry greater risk, the industry’s investment in AI and machine learning suggests that it could be a game-changing cyber security solution.

Free Antivirus vs. Paid Antivirus

Everyone loves a freebie, but there’s often a catch. When it comes to free Antivirus, offered by both operating systems and app/software providers, the caveat usually comes in the form of limited cyber security features – making them inadequate.

Free Antivirus

Major operating systems for computers and mobile devices, such as Windows, Android and Apple, do contain some integrated security tools like virus scanning and app store verification, but since they are free to use, this level of protection is understandably more baseline.

While free antivirus software typically offers more features, these cost-free versions of protection can also be considered more basic and therefore inadequate, as you can expect the features and performance level to have been significantly reduced/throttled.

Paid Antivirus

Paid antivirus, on the other hand, doesn’t limit its features and capabilities, meaning you can expect superior protection from a comprehensive, fully-fledged service. You should, of course, ensure that you choose a reputable, market-leading provider.

For instance, the Award-Winning TotalAV and its family of cyber security tools provide industry-leading protection, including sophisticated real-time detection, advanced firewall settings, identity theft protection, password management (Total Password), and a VPN service to take your online privacy to the next level.

How Does TotalAV Protect Your Device?

Available on Windows, MacOS and Android device systems, TotalAV offers comprehensive, real-time protection against an array of threats, including viruses, malware and malicious websites. 

When TotalAV encounters new files, it immediately prevents them from executing while they are checked against TotalAV’s Cloud Protection: a powerful, constantly evolving antivirus engine which can detect even the very latest, previously unknown threats.

This proactively advanced approach enables TotalAV to shield your device against zero-day vulnerabilities, providing a whole new level of protection that built-in system security alone cannot match.

Final Verdict: Is Antivirus Necessary in 2025?

While it is possible to venture online without falling victim to cyber crime, it really is difficult to recommend doing so without the added protection of antivirus software – especially given the various risks associated with our increasingly internet-woven lifestyles.

Not only are our jobs and personal lives becoming more internet-focused, cyber crime (such as phishing scams, spoofed websites and stealthy malware infections) continues to make the headlines, along with major hacks against big tech firms and retailers.

You could settle for built-in system protection on your devices, along with a cautious approach to the internet – but you have to ask yourself if these baseline security measures are really adequate enough to safeguard your valuable personal and financial data.

With all this in mind, the more relevant question may now be: What type of Antivirus software do you need? In other words, what level of protection would best suit your internet lifestyle and activities? The Award-Winning TotalAV and its family of market-leading, cutting-edge cyber security solutions can shield your sensitive data and digital world from the latest evolving threats, whether you’re a casual user, business owner or IT professional.