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The PCWorld Guide to Online Security

News, Reviews and How Tos from our security experts

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

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 day ago
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 1 week 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 3 weeks 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 3 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 3 weeks ago
Best antivirus for Windows PC in 2026: 7 apps to keep your PC safe
Best Picks

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

Your Windows PC needs virus protection. Some threats can’t be avoided without the aid of antivirus software. Choose the best antivirus software for you from our top picks.
By Alaina Yee 3 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 4 weeks 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 1 month ago
MORE SECURITY BEST PICKS

Latest Reviews of Security Software and Services

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 day 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 week 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 3 weeks 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 3 weeks ago
McAfee+ Ultimate review: Comprehensive security that needs more polish
Reviews

McAfee+ Ultimate review: Comprehensive security that needs more polish

McAfee+ Ultimate offers strong antivirus protection and a vast array of online protections, but its apps, services, and tools could use more polish.
By Alaina Yee 3 weeks ago
More Security Reviews

Latest How To articles about Security Software and Services

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 3 days 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 2 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 2 months ago
Your browser's payment autofill can be hacked. Use these 3 alternatives instead
Tip

Your browser's payment autofill can be hacked. Use these 3 alternatives instead

Storing payment details in your browser or online shops is convenient but poses a high security risk. Read on to find out what you should do instead.
By Florian Kastner 2 months ago
Hackers know your social security number. Here’s how to stay safe
How-To

Hackers know your social security number. Here’s how to stay safe

The Conduent data breach is just the latest massive leak. You need to protect yourself—we break down how.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
This free tool checks if a link is safe in seconds
Tip

This free tool checks if a link is safe in seconds

With the online service URL Void, you can check whether a website is dangerous. Simply enter the URL, run a scan, and review the results from various security sources.
By Arne Arnold 3 months ago
More security How tos

Latest News about Security Software and Services

Lose your laptop, not your data: 7 Windows settings to enable now
Feature

Lose your laptop, not your data: 7 Windows settings to enable now

Take these preemptive steps to protect your data and make your laptop more recoverable in case it's ever lost or stolen.
By Chris Hoffman 14 hours ago
Firefox 151 brings a big privacy boost and fixes 30+ security flaws
News

Firefox 151 brings a big privacy boost and fixes 30+ security flaws

Firefox 151 is out for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android with fingerprinting protection, PDF merging, VPN locations, and security fixes.
By Frank Ziemann 1 day ago
Microsoft is officially killing SMS verification for personal accounts
News

Microsoft is officially killing SMS verification for personal accounts

Microsoft is phasing out SMS login codes for personal accounts. Passkeys are the future, even if they don't work everywhere yet.
By Mikael Markander 2 days ago
This solar-powered 4K security camera just hit its lowest price
Deal

This solar-powered 4K security camera just hit its lowest price

At $110, the Tapo MagCam 4K C465 is at its all-time low at Amazon. This solar-powered Wi-Fi security camera is as convenient as they come.
By Gabriela Vatu 2 days ago
Unpatched Windows zero-day from 2020 gives hackers full system access
News

Unpatched Windows zero-day from 2020 gives hackers full system access

Microsoft supposedly patched CVE-2020-17103 in 2020, but a new proof-of-concept exploit shows the vulnerability is still hackable.
By Mikael Markander 3 days ago
Microsoft backtracks on Edge storing your passwords in plaintext RAM
Updated

Microsoft backtracks on Edge storing your passwords in plaintext RAM

When a security researcher showed that Edge passwords are plaintext readable, Microsoft initially said the behavior was intentional.
By Laura Pippig 3 days ago
Our top-pick VPN is cheaper than ever at $2.29/mo right now
Deal

Our top-pick VPN is cheaper than ever at $2.29/mo right now

Get 28 months of ExpressVPN for just $64 and unlock privacy protection, ad blocking, and geo-blocked content access on 10 devices.
By Gabriela Vatu 3 days ago
Chrome 148 update fixes 79 vulnerabilities, including 14 critical
News

Chrome 148 update fixes 79 vulnerabilities, including 14 critical

A recent Chrome update fixes 14 critical and 37 high-risk security flaws. None are currently being exploited in the wild.
By Frank Ziemann 6 days ago

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