I was at Staters last week when I heard my name being called from the other end of the aisle. I turned to see who it was and here comes someone running toward me wearing a full facemask, thick elbow-length rubber gloves, knee-high rubber boots, and waving what looked like a laptop over their head.
I paused for a moment to consider my options. Honestly, it would’ve made a great headline if I went out getting whacked by a local wielding a laptop. And a MacBook, no less—aluminum case!
“Don,” he said, out of breath, “it keeps poppin’ up warnings that my laptop is infected and wants me to install something called Norton Antivirus. Do I need that? I don’t want to mess it up!”
That got me thinking, because he’s not the only one asking. In fact, one of the most common questions I get is some version of: “Do I still need antivirus?”
Wait… Do Viruses Still Exist?
They do. But they’ve changed their tactics. Back in the day, a “computer virus” was exactly what it sounded like: a nasty little bug that infected your system, spread to other computers, and made a mess of things. Some would slow your machine to a crawl. Others would delete your files, hijack your browser, or flash a dancing skeleton across your screen just for fun.
These days, we still call them “viruses,” but what we’re really talking about is malware, a catch-all term for anything that sneaks onto your device to do something bad. That might mean stealing passwords, spying on your activity, or locking up your files and demanding a ransom.
So yes, the threats are still out there but now they rely more on tricking you than brute-forcing your machine.
What Does an Antivirus Program Even Do?
Antivirus software is like a security guard for your computer. It scans files and programs, looking for anything suspicious—like a known piece of malware trying to sneak in.
Some antivirus programs also:
- Watch websites and downloads for bad behavior
- Block shady links or pop-ups
- Warn you if something’s acting fishy
But watch out! Many of those loud “YOU’VE BEEN INFECTED!” pop-ups aren’t real antivirus programs at all. They’re scams pretending to be antivirus, hoping to get you to download something worse. Real antivirus programs don’t shout at you in red letters. If it looks like an emergency ad, it probably is, ust not the kind you think.
Do I Need to Buy Extra Protection?
If you’re using a Windows 10 or 11 PC, you’ve got Microsoft Defender running quietly in the background. It’s free and does a solid job. Macs have similar built-in safeguards. Chromebooks are about as locked-down as it gets. And most phones and tablets are secure as long as you stick to official app stores.
So if your tech habits are relatively safe and you check your email, shop on trusted websites, and don’t go clickin’ on “Congratulations, you’ve won a $500 gift card!” You’re probably fine without installing anything else.
But if you’re the type who clicks first and asks later (you know who you are), or if you’re on an older system that doesn’t get updates anymore, it might be time for a backup plan.
If you do go shopping for an antivirus program, skip the stuff that came pre-installed with a 30-day trial. Instead, look at trusted options like Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, or ESET. They won’t scare you into buying and they don’t hog your system resources either.
Good Habits Matter More Than Fancy Software
Here’s what really keeps you safe:
- Keep your system and apps up to date. Updates fix known security holes
- Use strong, unique passwords (and a password manager if you can)
- Don’t open weird attachments or click links you weren’t expecting
- Turn on two-factor authentication where possible
And when in doubt, pause and ask the golden question:
Was I expecting this?
If the answer is no, don’t click. That applies to emails, texts, websites and even those urgent pop-ups saying your “device is infected.”
Final Word From the High Desert
Out here in the desert, we know a thing or two about fences, locks, and common sense. Antivirus software is one kind of lock, but if you leave the gate wide open, the lock won’t do much good.
So do you need antivirus? Maybe. But what you really need is to slow down, stay updated, and be just a little bit suspicious of anything that wants your clicks, passwords, or credit card info.
******************************* CALL OUT BOX. *********************
Callout Box: SCAM ALERT — “You Have a Voicemail”
Watch out for emails with a “secure” PDF claiming to be a voicemail or private message. They usually say:
“You’ve received a new message. Open the attached PDF to listen.”
But instead of audio, that PDF contains a fake “Play” button that leads to a scam site asking for your email login. If you click and enter your info—bam—they’ve got access.
Remember:
- PDFs can contain links, just like a webpage
- If you weren’t expecting it, don’t open it
- Never enter login info from a link inside a file
When in doubt, delete it. Real voicemails don’t usually come as PDFs anyway.
