Most people today are aware of what a computer virus is. While they may not have a deep understanding of viruses, they at least know that they are annoying and dangerous to deal with. Viruses have impacted computer systems since the beginning. As a result, a large market for virus protection and virus removal software has grown.
The threat landscape in 2025 is very different than the threat landscape of 2006. Today, you are a lot less likely to run into traditional malware than you would have been in the past. Cyberattacks today are enabled through a variety of means, with the main goal of threat actors being stealth and persistence. The tools used by these threat actors are much more sophisticated than the malware of the past. Malware can take advantage of high-level system components to remain undetected in the system, fooling even the most reputable anti-malware software. These days, a comprehensive cybersecurity plan needs to focus more on network flows, identity management, and cloud infrastructure rather than on simple workstation virus scans.
However, this does not mean you should ignore anti-malware software completely. Even though it may not provide the same level of assurance it once did, it is a necessary component for pursuing Defense in Depth.
The good news is that you likely have a decent anti-malware program running on your operating system right now. Windows Security, or Windows Defender, has come a long way in terms of quality. Derived from the old Microsoft Security Essentials Program, Windows Security has gained new features, including Ransomware Protection, App & Browser Control, and Account Protection. Windows Security runs quietly in the background, alerting you only when threat information arises.
One of the most common complaints regarding third-party anti-malware programs is the intrusive nature of their notifications. They can also be heavy on resources, impacting the performance of your systems. Some anti-malware programs have even been accused of using their customers’ systems for cryptocurrency mining. With Windows Security being a reliable, built-in choice, there really is not much need for your business to purchase a third-party anti-malware subscription.
One free tool that I would recommend combining with Windows Security is Malwarebytes. If you want to use this program on multiple systems, you will end up needing to buy a subscription. However, Malwarebytes offers a free malware scanner that is quiet and reliable. By combining Windows Security with Malwarebytes, you have a real-time virus scanner with a backup tool to find and remove dormant malware. This is my preferred anti-malware setup and the one I recommend to most Windows users. Malwarebytes also has its free version for macOS systems.
If you want to purchase a business endpoint solution for anti-malware software (e.g., Avast Premium Business, Norton Small Business), that is entirely your choice. However, sticking with built-in security tools is sufficient and will cut the cost from your budget. Regardless of what anti-malware solution you decide on, ensure that automatic updates are turned on so that you get the latest malware signatures from the vendor. Also, ensure that real-time protection is enabled so that the software can catch threats before they fully compromise your system.
