The end of the life of Windows 10 is quickly approaching, with updates that ceases October 14, 2025, and many begin to make the change to Windows 11.
But there are still questions. Do I really need to use the best antivirus with Windows 11?
Windows defending is good enough? Can I trust that I protect me from computer pirates, especially when Windows is the most used operating system in the world? Let’s find out.
Should I update?
In short, yes. Once Windows 10 comes to the end of life, he will stop receiving critical updates, such as new security patches that prevent known vulnerabilities.
Taking into account that Windows has a considerable market share for PC operating systems, it is a very lucrative objective that cybercriminals constantly try to hit.
Let me say it in this way: one of the main reasons why the Wannacry ransomware attack in 2017 was so devastating was because many organizations were using Windows operating systems that were beyond their end of life.
Although Microsoft had launched a patch that could have prevented Wannacry ransomware from infecting their devices, some had chosen to deactivate updates or were using obsolete systems.
In addition, if we follow the trend of Windows 10 that was launched in 2015, Windows 11 will probably also receive updates for at least the next 10 years, which makes it a decent update for those who have not yet made the change. In addition, if Windows 10 is already running, you can update Windows 11 for free!
I understand that there are some purists who insist on using the operating system with which they are more familiar, and I can sympathize.
Strange Windows Vista. But aesthetics is not all, and it is never too late to learn something new.
How big am I a goal?
It is easy to think that you are not a goal when it comes to this great digital world in which we all live, but there are hundreds of ways in which a hacker could see value when attacking you.
For example, they could be looking to add their computer to a global botnet that they use to launch attacks on companies without you knowing it.
Or they could be looking to steal their social media accounts to use in misinformation campaigns, or just want to interrupt as many people as possible with their latest malware.
The malwarebytes malware report places ransomware as the greatest threat in 2024 and attacks have grown 13% year after year.
In 2025, this trend is likely to continue, driven by the increase in AI agents to distribute malware and help write phishing emails that are more convincing and more difficult to detect.
While cybercriminals have resorted to large companies with larger budgets to make a living, small fried potatoes such as you and I are still viable objectives for smaller and less advanced cyber -mediminal groups.
Let us not forget that a cybercriminal could be looking to steal your identity or commit credit fraud in your name using data that you can steal from your computer. Some groups just want to cause interruptions and make a name when you get to all and all.
Windows Defense Antivirus: Is it enough?
The Windows defender antivirus is pre -installed as Windows 11 standard.
In numerous tests, the Antivirus of the Windows defender does a quite good job when protecting new malware threats, including those distributed through the web and email.
In the AV-TEST tests of February 2025, it managed to detect 100% of the 0-day threats and the generalized/prevalent threats discovered in the last 4 weeks. Not bad.
But, the antivirus of the Windows defender is a very simple and basic solution. Yes, it protects against malware, but does not offer additional security features, such as a vpn or dedicated parental controls.
So, when people say that “the antivirus of the Windows defender is enough”, what they mean is that it is sufficient for malware -based threats, not everything else that could put their device or those who use it at risk.
For example, if you do not use a VPN while using a web browser, it is likely that your Internet traffic is not created, which means that anyone could intercept it and see what you are doing, or extract potentially confidential information from your traffic.
The set of antivirus characteristics of the Windows defender is gradually updating in the characteristics offered by many of the best antivirus suppliers, but it will probably always be one step back in their offers as a free service.
Is it worth antivirus for Windows 11?
As a security expert who constantly writes about new attack vectors, data theft and service interruptions, it seems that using a premium antivirus service is probably a good option for several reasons.
First, the Antivirus of the Windows defender only protects against its Windows machine and does not offer any protection for the rest of its devices.
Many antivirus services offer compatibility with Apple, Android, Chromebook, Windows and Linux, which allows you to protect all your home devices under a single umbrella.
But computer security not only begins and ends with antivirus, since each online account that Use is also a potential objective for a hacker.
That is why many services offer password administrators as a tool included, which provides passwords that would take billions of years to break, automatic focus capabilities to help you log in faster and, in some cases, an authenticator application to keep your super safe accounts.
And best of all, you don’t even have to spend a penny to increase your protection. There are tons of excellent free antivirus applications that you can install on your Windows 11 device, and as an additional Windows Windows Defender Antivirus you can put in passive mode to work along with another third -party antivirus solution.
