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The PCWorld Guide to Online Security

News, Reviews and How Tos from our security experts

Updated

Best antivirus software 2024: Keep your PC safe from malware, spyware, and more

By Alaina Yee and Ian Paul
Updated

Best VPN services 2024: Top picks for speed, price, privacy, and more

By Sam Singleton
Best Picks

Best free antivirus 2024: 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 VPN services 2024: Top picks for speed, price, privacy, and more
Updated

Best VPN services 2024: Top picks for speed, price, privacy, and more

Surfing the web through a virtual private network (VPN) can keep your identity and data safe and secure online. We show you what to look for in a VPN and help you pick the best one for your needs.
By Sam Singleton 2 weeks ago
Best VPNs for Android 2024: Our picks for phones and tablets
Updated

Best VPNs for Android 2024: Our 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 for streaming Netflix 2024: Watch from wherever you are
Updated

Best VPN for streaming Netflix 2024: Watch from wherever you are

Netflix doesn't like VPNs, but these services promise not to chill on Netflix compatibility.
By Sam Singleton 3 weeks ago
Best VPNs for torrenting 2024: Speed, privacy, and security matter
Best Picks

Best VPNs for torrenting 2024: Speed, privacy, and security matter

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 3 weeks ago
Best free VPN of 2024: It's important to choose wisely
Best Picks

Best free VPN of 2024: It's important to choose wisely

VPNs are best when they're paid for, but if a premium account isn't in the cards then here are our top recommendations for a free service.
By Ian Paul and Sam Singleton 4 weeks ago
Best free antivirus 2024: Keep your PC safe without spending a dime
Best Picks

Best free antivirus 2024: Keep your PC safe without spending a dime

Many of the big names in antivirus offer a free version of their security suites. Here are our top choices for free antivirus.
By Alaina Yee, Ian Paul and Sam Singleton 4 weeks ago
Fastest VPN 2024: We identify the speediest performers
Updated

Fastest VPN 2024: We identify the speediest performers

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 antivirus software 2024: Keep your PC safe from malware, spyware, and more
Updated

Best antivirus software 2024: Keep your PC safe from malware, spyware, and more

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 and Ian Paul 1 month ago
MORE SECURITY BEST PICKS

Latest Reviews of Security Software and Services

These are the best smart home products of the year
Reviews

These are the best smart home products of the year

As the year winds down, get the scoop on our favorite smart speakers and displays, thermostats, security cameras, video doorbells, lighting systems, and more.
By TechHive Staff 2 days ago
Philips 5000-series smart deadbolt review: To open, just scan the hand
Reviews

Philips 5000-series smart deadbolt review: To open, just scan the hand

This smart lock’s palm vein scanning is incredibly good, but it’s expensive and a pain to install.
By Christopher Null 1 week ago
Acronis True Image review: Top-tier do-it-all PC backup
Reviews

Acronis True Image review: Top-tier do-it-all PC backup

With backup, disaster recovery, and malware protection under one roof, Acronis True Image is the most comprehensive end-user data-safety solution on the planet.
By Jon Jacobi 2 weeks ago
Wyze Duo Cam Doorbell review: One doorbell, two cameras
Reviews

Wyze Duo Cam Doorbell review: One doorbell, two cameras

The second camera on this affordable video doorbell keeps tabs on delivered packages, while the primary lens is trained on visitors.
By Christopher Null 3 weeks ago
TCL D1 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock review: Talk to the hand
Reviews

TCL D1 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock review: Talk to the hand

Smart home technology once in the realm of sci-fi becomes real with this smart deadbolt that scans your palm to unlock your door.
By Christopher Null 4 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 4 weeks ago
Yale Code keypad lock review: Svelte & affordable, just not smart
Reviews

Yale Code keypad lock review: Svelte & affordable, just not smart

The smart lock leader focused on price and ease of use to deliver this keypad deadbolt, which doesn't offer wireless connectivity.
By Christopher Null 4 weeks 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
More Security Reviews

Latest How To articles about Security Software and Services

Windows includes built-in ransomware protection. Here's how to turn it on
How-To

Windows includes built-in ransomware protection. Here's how to 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 week ago
10 things I'd never, ever do as an IT professional
How-To

10 things I'd never, ever do as an IT professional

It's about PC security. And it's about things that an IT professional would never do, but that less IT-savvy people do again and again. These 10 mistakes always cause headaches.
By Arne Arnold 1 week ago
Watch out! Your latest data breach notification might not be real
Tip

Watch out! Your latest data breach notification might not be real

As always, scammers try to capitalize on any and all opportunities, as proven by this type of phishing attack.
By Alaina Yee 3 weeks ago
How to permanently erase data on SSDs, hard drives, & USB flash drives
How-To

How to permanently erase data on SSDs, hard drives, & USB flash drives

Time and again, cases are reported in which disposed hard drives still contained readable, confidential data. With a few Windows commands and the right tools, this won't happen to you.
By Roland Freist 1 month ago
Protect your home network with these essential router tweaks
How-To

Protect your home network with these essential router tweaks

These must-do router tweaks will protect your gadgets from unwanted attacks.
By Anders Lundberg 1 month ago
How to find your saved passwords in Chrome
How-To

How to find your saved passwords in Chrome

If you’re looking for your saved passwords, here’s where to locate them—and all their related settings.
By Alaina Yee 2 months ago
How to crack your forgotten passwords
How-To

How to crack your forgotten passwords

What do you do if you want to view your own data, but you don't have the right password? Fortunately for you, programmer Nir Softer offers a wide range of tools to help with this.
By Peter Stelzel-Morawietz & Roland Freist 2 months ago
How to auto-lock your PC when you step away (and why you should)
How-To

How to auto-lock your PC when you step away (and why you should)

Here's everything you need to know about automatically locking and unlocking your PC just by stepping away and sitting back down.
By Chris Hoffman 3 months ago
More security How tos

Latest News about Security Software and Services

The future of VPNs: Decentralized and post-quantum security
Feature

The future of VPNs: Decentralized and post-quantum security

There are some exciting advancements coming to VPNs in the near future that will address growing privacy and security threats while giving users even better control over their services.
By Sam Singleton 14 hours ago
Best VPN for Florida: Pornhub workarounds
News

Best VPN for Florida: Pornhub workarounds

Pornhub will begin blocking access to residents of Florida on January 1, following new age-verification laws—but a VPN can be a good workaround. These are the best VPNs to continue viewing the site while protecting your privacy.
By Sam Singleton 16 hours ago
Smart home at CES 2025: AI and Matter will take center stage
Feature

Smart home at CES 2025: AI and Matter will take center stage

Generative AI is having a break-out year in smart home and home security, and we expect the trend to continue at CES in Las Vegas.
By Ben Patterson 18 hours ago
AI impersonators will wreck online security in 2025. Here’s what to watch out for
Feature

AI impersonators will wreck online security in 2025. Here’s what to watch out for

We all have to be much more vigilant about what’s real and what’s not.
By Alaina Yee 1 week ago
The Zero Trust era is coming: What that means for VPNs and your data
Feature

The Zero Trust era is coming: What that means for VPNs and your data

Zero Trust architecture is revolutionizing network security to better protect your data, but a good VPN will never go out of style.
By Sam Singleton 1 week ago
5 ways to stay safe against new cyber threats targeting your phone
Opinion

5 ways to stay safe against new cyber threats targeting your phone

We've gathered the best tips to protect you (and your relatives) from being scammed.
By Martin Appel 2 weeks ago
Meta slapped with €251 million fine for mishandling 2018 data breach
News

Meta slapped with €251 million fine for mishandling 2018 data breach

Meta must pay millions in fines after being investigated for the 2018 data breach that affected over 50 million Facebook accounts.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl and Joel Lee 2 weeks ago
Best VPN holiday deals
Deal

Best VPN holiday deals

We've scoured the web to help you find the best deals on VPNs this holiday season. Currently on discount: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
By Sam Singleton 2 weeks ago

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