Do You Really Need Antivirus Software in 2025? A Data-Driven Analysis

Mark Sherman - IT Security Journalist & Technology Analyst Australia

An investigation into whether traditional antivirus protection remains essential in an era of built-in security and evolving cyber threats

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As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and built-in operating system protections improve, consumers face a fundamental question: Do you need antivirus software in 2025?

And the short answer is yes, in most cases you still do need antivirus (AV) software in 2025, but how much you need it depends on what devices you use and how you use them.

Here’s a breakdown:

🔹 Why Antivirus Still Matters

Malware volume: Cybercriminals release over 350,000 new malware samples every day.
Targeting Windows: Around 87% of ransomware attacks still hit Windows machines.
Mac & mobile aren’t safe: Mac malware has grown by over 400% year-on-year, and Android remains a target for banking trojans and spyware.
Built-in protection isn’t enough: Windows Defender and Apple’s XProtect do a decent job against common threats, but they often lag behind dedicated AV suites in detecting new or advanced attacks like zero-day exploits and phishing.

🔹 When You Definitely Need It

Windows PC users: Still the biggest target. A strong AV + firewall is strongly recommended.
Mac users: Less risky than Windows, but targeted attacks are rising — especially adware, spyware, and phishing.
Android users: Google Play Protect isn’t bulletproof. If you sideload apps or use banking apps, a good AV helps.

🔹 When You Might Not

iPhones & iPads: Apple’s ecosystem is very locked down. You don’t need traditional AV software, but you still need good security hygiene (updates, strong passwords, 2FA).
Tech-savvy, cautious users: If you update software religiously, avoid shady sites, and use strong browser protections, you can sometimes get away with just built-in defences — but it’s still a gamble.

👉 Bottom line: Antivirus software isn’t the magic shield it once was, but in 2025 it’s still an important layer of defence — especially against ransomware, phishing, and new malware strains.

This analysis of current market data, security statistics, and expert evaluations reveals a nuanced answer that depends largely on individual usage patterns and risk tolerance.

The Current Landscape: A $4.25 Billion Question

The global antivirus software industry has shown growth, expanding to $4.25 billion in 2025, up from $4.06 billion in 2022.

This rise reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during this period. This sustained growth suggests continued consumer demand for security solutions beyond what operating systems provide natively.

However, usage patterns tell a more complex story. Around 121 million adults still turn to third-party antivirus software, while many others rely on their devices' built-in antivirus protection (or use none at all).

Consumer sentiment appears cautiously optimistic about antivirus effectiveness. 75% of Users Say Antivirus Protection Is Effective at Keeping Them Safe, according to recent survey data.

Meanwhile, 49% are using antivirus software to protect their personal data and devices, even though 67% were never affected by cybercrime.

The Built-In Security Question: Windows Defender Under Scrutiny

Microsoft's Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender) has become the default security solution for millions of users, but its effectiveness compared to third-party alternatives remains contentious among security professionals.

Recent independent testing provides mixed results. Recorded in December 2024, Windows Security scored a perfect six across the board in its run.

The test evaluated everything from Defender's ability to detect and stop malware, to its folder protection services, the number of false-positives returned, and more.

However, other assessments are less favorable. In terms of malware detection, it often ranks below top antivirus competitors.

In terms of system performance, Defender's scans take longer and cause more slowdown than most third-party antiviruses. And finally, in terms of essential security features, Defender is severely lacking.

Industry experts note that while it's a decent free antivirus, it scores consistently lower for malware detection than top standalone brands like Norton and Bitdefender. It also lacks performance optimization features found in premium solutions.

Security professionals acknowledge that Independent tests show Defender performing well, but still trailing behind some dedicated AVs in zero-day protection, which represents one of the most critical aspects of modern cybersecurity.

Platform-Specific Considerations

The antivirus necessity question varies significantly by operating system. Security experts are clear on one point: unless you have an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, antivirus software is a necessity.

This recommendation reflects the relative security architectures of different platforms:

Windows Systems: Remain the primary target for malware attacks due to market dominance and legacy architectural vulnerabilities.

Windows Defender is decent for basic protection on Windows 10 and 11, but lacks endpoint protection, leading many experts to recommend supplementary solutions.

macOS: While historically more secure due to Unix-based architecture and smaller market share, Mac systems are not immune to threats as their popularity grows.

Mobile Platforms: iOS devices benefit from Apple's stringent app store policies and sandboxing, making additional antivirus software largely unnecessary. Android devices, due to their more open ecosystem, may benefit from security apps depending on usage patterns.

The Evolving Threat Landscape

The cybersecurity threat environment continues to intensify. Recent data from 2022 indicates that the frequency of malware and virus attacks increased, suggesting that the need for robust protection has not diminished despite technological advances.

Security researchers emphasize that modern threats extend beyond traditional malware.

Premium antivirus tools can block malicious sites and intrusive ads to help you avoid malware, providing protection against phishing, ransomware, and other sophisticated attack vectors that built-in solutions may not adequately address.

Expert Recommendations: Context-Dependent Security

The cybersecurity community's guidance reflects the complexity of modern digital threats. No matter what level of IT skills and online browsing habits you have, an antivirus is a necessary addition to your cybersecurity posture, according to security professionals.

This recommendation is particularly relevant for users who often end up on suspicious websites, as unreliable websites are the primary source of various cyberthreats that can infect your devices.

However, some experts take a more measured approach. Microsoft's built-in virus scanner should be good enough for most people, but there are still some reasons to purchase antivirus software, suggesting that the decision should be based on individual risk profiles and computing habits.

Market Leadership and User Base Statistics

Windows Defender/Microsoft Security emerges as the dominant force in real-world usage:

39% of desktop users rely on their operating system's built-in security, which for Windows users means Windows Defender
This represents the single largest user preference category for desktop protection

Third-Party Antivirus Market Share: The paid antivirus market shows interesting concentration patterns:

Norton (NorTech/Symantec):

Norton remains the top pick in a fragmented field for those subscribing to paid antivirus services
According to Statista data, Symantec Corporation held 77 percent of the Windows anti-malware application market as of May 2023, more than any other vendor
Norton 360 held a market share of 15 percent separately
Revenue data shows Norton generated $2.49 billion of revenue in 2020

McAfee:

McAfee also holds a significant portion of free and paid antivirus markets, likely due to an aggressive marketing approach that pre-installs free trials on many personal computers
McAfee generated $2.635 billion of revenue in 2020

ESET:

ESET is a market leader in the cybersecurity industry with a global presence
The company showed total revenue of $2.9 billion at the end of 2022, which is a 10% increase from the previous year

User Behavior Patterns

The data reveals a significant shift in user preferences:

Built-in Security Preference:

44% on mobile, 39% on desktop users say "I rely on my operating system's built-in security"
This represents a clear nod to the growing confidence in native protections like Windows Defender and Apple's sandboxed iOS ecosystem

Total Market Size

The global antivirus software market serves a substantial user base:

The Antivirus Software market size was valued at USD 4.4 Billion in 2023
Projections suggest Global Antivirus Software market size is expected to reach $5.52 billion by 2029 at 6.9% growth rate

Key Takeaways

The real-world usage data shows that Windows Defender/built-in security solutions have become the most widely used form of antivirus protection, with nearly 40% of desktop users relying on native OS security.

Among paid solutions, Norton leads the market, followed closely by McAfee, with both companies generating over $2.5 billion in annual revenue.

The market remains fragmented among third-party providers, but the trend toward trusting built-in security solutions represents the most significant shift in antivirus usage patterns in recent years.

The Bottom Line: A Risk-Based Decision

The data suggests that antivirus necessity in 2025 is not a simple yes-or-no question but rather depends on several factors:

High-Risk Users who frequently download software from unverified sources, visit questionable websites, or handle sensitive data should strongly consider comprehensive third-party security solutions that offer features beyond basic malware detection.

Average Users with conservative browsing habits and basic security awareness may find built-in protections adequate, particularly when combined with safe computing practices and regular system updates.

Enterprise and Business Users face different risk profiles entirely and typically require enterprise-grade security solutions that extend far beyond consumer antivirus products.

The sustained growth in the antivirus market, coupled with continued increases in malware attacks, suggests that many consumers and businesses continue to see value in third-party security solutions.

While built-in protections have improved significantly, the evolving threat landscape and the limitations of native security tools mean that additional protection layers remain relevant for many users.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in third-party antivirus software should be based on individual risk assessment, computing habits, and the value placed on additional security features beyond basic malware detection.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, so too must our approach to digital security—whether through built-in solutions, third-party software, or a combination of both.