Antivirus Basics
What does antivirus software actually do? A plain-English guide
How antivirus detects threats, what real-time protection means, what antivirus can't protect you from, and whether Windows 11 needs extra protection.
Antivirus help
Clear, honest answers about antivirus and PC security.
Plain-English guides to how antivirus works, what AVG, Guardio and Microsoft Defender actually do, and how to spot fake security warnings. No sales, no commissions and no scare tactics.
Latest guides
Start with the basics, then read about specific products once you know what kind of protection you need.
Antivirus Guides
AVG AntiVirus Free explained: features, safe setup and settings to check
What AVG AntiVirus Free includes, how it differs from the paid version, how to install it safely, and which privacy and pop-up settings to review.
Browser Protection
Guardio explained: what browser security extensions do and who needs one
How Guardio protects you inside Chrome and Edge, what it can and can't catch, how to set it up, and how it fits alongside a normal antivirus.
Comparisons
AVG vs Guardio vs Microsoft Defender: which protection do you actually need?
An independent side-by-side comparison of three very different kinds of protection, with recommended combinations for different households.
Scam Awareness
Fake antivirus and scareware: how to spot it and what to do
The warning signs of fake antivirus alerts and rogue security software, how to remove them, and what to do if you already paid or gave access.
Which protection is which?
The three names our readers ask about most do very different jobs.
Microsoft Defender
The antivirus already built into Windows 11. Free, automatic and switched on by default. Is it enough?
AVG AntiVirus
A third-party antivirus with a free edition. It replaces Defender's real-time protection when installed. Read the guide
Guardio
A browser extension that blocks scam sites and notification spam. It works alongside your antivirus, not instead of it. Read the guide
Two things to remember
One antivirus at a time
Run a single full antivirus with real-time protection. Browser tools like Guardio can be added on top, but two full antivirus programs will conflict.
Real alerts never include a phone number
If a web page, popup or email says your PC is infected and gives a number to call, it's a scam. Close it and open your real antivirus from the Start menu.