You Need Antivirus Software on Every Device

Windows 10/11 includes Defender, macOS includes XProtect and Gatekeeper, iOS/iPadOS have Gatekeeper and code signing, and Android has Play Protect with sandbox isolation, all providing baseline protection that rivals or exceeds independent AV products. For typical users (browsing, email, document work), built-in security matches dedicated software's effectiveness while reducing system overhead and security surface area (third-party AV tools historically become exploit vectors themselves, particularly when they require kernel access). High-risk users (managing sensitive infrastructure, targeting entities) and dated systems (Windows XP, unpatched endpoints) warrant additional tools, but blanket coverage isn't necessary. Antivirus vendors marketed pervasive fear through the 1990s-2010s to drive software sales; industry consolidation and OS-level security evolution reduced independent AV's competitive moat. Testing by AV-Comparatives and SE Labs shows diminishing improvements from third-party AV on modern systems. Phishing prevention and user awareness now present greater risk reduction than signature-based malware detection.