You may wonder if you require a third-party antivirus program when you own a computer that runs Microsoft’s most well-known OS. Microsoft Windows 11 has hardware security features such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which prevent malware from infecting your PC during boot-up. These security tools are designed to ensure only genuine drivers and OS files can be installed. They also ensure that malware cannot alter your system files or memory.
Microsoft’s Windows Defender doesn’t protect your device from all cyber threats. Be aware that even the most secure systems can be contaminated by viruses, malware and other ransomware. These threats can cause damage to your sensitive data, slow down your machine’s speed and even erase your hard drive.
As a result, it’s always a good idea to have a robust antivirus program protecting your Windows 11 machine. Its primary function is to block malicious websites and ads that contain viruses, ensuring they can’t infect your computer or spread to other computers.
Some experts suggest mixing Microsoft built-in security with a third party antivirus program to maximize digital safety. It’s important to not overdo the layers of security as they could potentially conflict and cancel out each other’s effectiveness. Multiple antivirus programs can be costly and drain the resources of your computer, leading to slower performance.