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The PCWorld Guide to Online Security

News, Reviews and How Tos from our security experts

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Best Picks

Best antivirus for Windows PC in 2026: 7 apps to keep your PC safe

By Alaina Yee
Updated

Best VPN services: 7 top picks for every VPN need

By Sam Singleton
Best Picks

Best free antivirus 2026: Keep your PC safe without spending a dime

By Alaina Yee, Ian Paul and Sam Singleton

Latest Best Picks for Security Software and Services

Best 5 VPNs for streaming Netflix and other services
Updated

Best 5 VPNs for streaming Netflix and other services

These VPNs will help you avoid content restrictions and give you access to your favorite streaming services like Netflix from anywhere in the world.
By Sam Singleton 6 days ago
Best VPNs for Android: 5 top picks for phones and tablets
Best Picks

Best VPNs for Android: 5 top picks for phones and tablets

PCWorld's picks for the best VPNs for Android devices including smartphones and tablets.
By Sam Singleton 1 week ago
Best VPNs for torrenting: 5 top picks for speed, privacy, and security
Best Picks

Best VPNs for torrenting: 5 top picks for speed, privacy, and security

Staying safe while torrenting is essential, and using a VPN like any of these top picks is the best way to do it.
By Sam Singleton 2 weeks ago
Fastest VPN 2026: Expert picks of the top 5 VPN speed demons
Updated

Fastest VPN 2026: Expert picks of the top 5 VPN speed demons

If you have the need, the need for VPN speed, we've got recommendations about the best choices for you.
By Sam Singleton 3 weeks ago
Best free VPN for Android: 5 top picks you can trust
Best Picks

Best free VPN for Android: 5 top picks you can trust

When you need a quick free VPN connection for your Android phone or tablet here are the services we recommend.
By Sam Singleton 4 weeks ago
Best VPN services: 7 top picks for every VPN need
Updated

Best VPN services: 7 top picks for every VPN need

We tested the field and picked the best VPN overall plus the best options for budget, free use, privacy, and travel.
By Sam Singleton 4 weeks ago
The best free VPNs: 5 no-cost top picks
Best Picks

The best free VPNs: 5 no-cost top picks

VPNs are best when they're paid for, but the top free VPNs can still keep you private without breaking the bank.
By Sam Singleton 1 month ago
Best password managers: 6 trustworthy options
Updated

Best password managers: 6 trustworthy options

The best password is one you probably can't easily remember—that's why a password manager is so crucial to your online security. We review LastPass, Dashlane, Keeper, NordPass, and others to find the best one for managing passwords.
By Michael Ansaldo and Alaina Yee 2 months ago
MORE SECURITY BEST PICKS

Latest Reviews of Security Software and Services

Mullvad VPN review: The ultimate privacy-first VPN
Reviews

Mullvad VPN review: The ultimate privacy-first VPN

Mullvad keeps refining its no-nonsense VPN with better performance, stronger security, and new anti-censorship tools.
By Sam Singleton 2 weeks ago
Norton Antivirus Plus review: Fantastic security for digital minimalists
Reviews

Norton Antivirus Plus review: Fantastic security for digital minimalists

Norton Antivirus Plus provides solids basics of online protection without any extra fluff—ideal for those avoiding unnecessary, expensive excess.
By Alaina Yee 1 month ago
Avira Prime review: Comprehensive, user-friendly antivirus
Reviews

Avira Prime review: Comprehensive, user-friendly antivirus

Avira Prime is a simple, easy-to-understand antivirus suite that includes numerous features.
By Alaina Yee 1 month ago
Surfshark One review: Adequate antivirus protection with caveats
Reviews

Surfshark One review: Adequate antivirus protection with caveats

Known for its VPN service, Surfshark offers antivirus with its security software—but how it defends against malware won’t suit everyone.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
ESET Home Security Premium review: Simple protection with a complex heart
Reviews

ESET Home Security Premium review: Simple protection with a complex heart

ESET's antivirus software gives far more control over scan and feature settings than the average rival — a plus for power users — without being intimidating.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
Malwarebytes Premium Security review: An antimalware staple is now optional
Reviews

Malwarebytes Premium Security review: An antimalware staple is now optional

Malwarebytes isn’t the vital supplement to Windows it used to be—but those who want a dead simple antivirus app will be served well.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
AVG Internet Security review: Reliable, budget-friendly antivirus software
Reviews

AVG Internet Security review: Reliable, budget-friendly antivirus software

AVG Internet Security is a good upgrade on its free antivirus software, especially if you need broader online protection and don’t want to pay a lot for it.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
Trend Micro Maximum Security review: Better alternatives exist
Reviews

Trend Micro Maximum Security review: Better alternatives exist

Underwhelming features, weak antivirus protection, and potentially showstopping bugs tank Trend Micro Maximum Security's appeal.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
More Security Reviews

Latest How To articles about Security Software and Services

Prime Day scammers are counting on one thing: You rushing
How-To

Prime Day scammers are counting on one thing: You rushing

Dodging sketchy Prime Day “deals” takes less effort than you'd guess.
By Alaina Yee 2 days ago
Windows now lets you lock your PC from your phone
Tip

Windows now lets you lock your PC from your phone

Here's how to lock your Windows PC from your phone using Microsoft's Phone Link, whether you're across the room or in another town.
By Roland Freist 1 week ago
Protect and encrypt your files with this free app
Try This

Protect and encrypt your files with this free app

Cryptomator makes it easy to lock down files stored locally or in Google Drive, Dropbox, and other services.
By Sam Singleton 2 weeks ago
Windows 11’s firewall has a blind spot. These tweaks close it
How-To

Windows 11’s firewall has a blind spot. These tweaks close it

Windows blocks incoming threats but ignores outgoing traffic by default. Fix that with Simplewall, encrypted DNS, stealth mode, egress filtering, and more.
By Steffen Zellfelder 1 month ago
Windows has a built-in ransomware shield. Most people never turn it on
How-To

Windows has a built-in ransomware shield. Most people never turn it on

Did you know Windows includes ransomware protection built right in? Microsoft Defender can safeguard your PC, but the feature isn’t automatically enabled. Here's how to do it yourself.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
One simple browser setting can help block shady websites
How-To

One simple browser setting can help block shady websites

You have to tweak Chrome, Edge, and Firefox if you want your data to only go through encrypted connections. Here’s how.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
This free app fixes the worst part of two-factor authentication
Try This

This free app fixes the worst part of two-factor authentication

Proton Authenticator keeps your 2FA codes synced, secure, and stress-free.
By Sam Singleton 3 months ago
4 ways to surf anonymously on your work PC
Tip

4 ways to surf anonymously on your work PC

Worried that your personal activity might be visible on your work computer? Here are four tips to help protect your privacy.
By Martin Appel 3 months ago
More security How tos

Latest News about Security Software and Services

Windows updated Secure Boot just in time. Here's what happened
News

Windows updated Secure Boot just in time. Here's what happened

While existing Secure Boot certificates are due to expire today, Microsoft issued replacement certificates at the eleventh hour to eligible PCs.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 19 hours ago
Windows Secure Boot certificates expire tomorrow. Don't ignore this deadline
News

Windows Secure Boot certificates expire tomorrow. Don't ignore this deadline

Windows Secure Boot certificates must be updated by June 24th. Here's how to check your status and what happens if you miss it.
By Laura Pippig 2 days ago
Your smart home may be whispering your secrets to strangers
Safe Mode

Your smart home may be whispering your secrets to strangers

Smart devices keep tabs on what you do—and even what your home looks like. That data isn’t always kept private.
By Alaina Yee 2 days ago
Microsoft scrambles to patch a Defender security flaw called RoguePlanet
News

Microsoft scrambles to patch a Defender security flaw called RoguePlanet

A zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Defender lets attackers gain full system access on up-to-date Windows 10 and 11 PCs. No fix yet.
By Mikael Markander and Hans-Christian Dirscherl 3 days ago
124 million passwords added to breach database. Yours may be in there, too
News

124 million passwords added to breach database. Yours may be in there, too

Have I Been Pwned has added 56 million email addresses and 124 million passwords collected from infostealer malware to its database, allowing users to check whether they have been affected.
By Viviane Osswald 1 week ago
Best VPN deals: Protect your privacy for the lowest prices
Best Deals

Best VPN deals: Protect your privacy for the lowest prices

We've scoured the web to help you find the best deals on VPNs available this June. Currently on discount: ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and CyberGhost.
By Sam Singleton 1 week ago
Are Chrome extensions safe? This security expert advises caution
Feature

Are Chrome extensions safe? This security expert advises caution

I treat every browser add-on with suspicion. Am I justified? I think so.
By Alaina Yee 1 week ago
I write about online scams. A fake Nvidia livestream still almost fooled me
Safe Mode

I write about online scams. A fake Nvidia livestream still almost fooled me

A classic example of how hackers and scammers trip us up.
By Alaina Yee 1 week ago

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