Windows 10 End of Life is fast approaching, with updates that cease on October 14, 2025, and many start switching to Windows 11.
But there are still questions left. Do I really need to use the best antivirus with Windows 11?
Is Windows Defender good enough? Can I trust it to protect myself from hackers, especially when Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world? Let’s find out.
Should i upgrade?
In short, yes. When Windows 10 reaches its end of life, it will stop receiving critical updates, such as new security fixes that prevent known vulnerabilities from being benefited from.
Given Windows has a significant market share for PC operating systems, it is a very lucrative target that cyber criminals are constantly trying to hit.
Let me put it this way -one of the main reasons why the Wannacry Ransomware attack in 2017 was so devastating was because many organizations used Windows operating systems that were good past their lives in life.
Although Microsoft had released a patch that could have prevented Wannacry Ransomware from infecting their devices, some had chosen to turn off updates or used outdated systems.
If we also follow the trend for Windows 10, which was released in 2015, Windows 11 is likely to receive updates for at least the next 10 years, making it a worthy update for those who have not already changed. What’s more if you are already running Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 FREE!
I understand that there are some purists out there that insist on using the operating system they are most familiar with – and I can sympathize.
I miss Windows Vista. But aesthetics are not everything and it is never too late to learn something new.
How big a goal am I?
It is easy to believe that you are not a goal when it comes to this great digital world we all live in, but there are hundreds of ways a hacker can see value in targeting you.
For example, they could be looking to add your computer to a global botnet that they use to launch attacks on companies without you knowing.
Or they could be looking to steal your social media accounts for use in disinformation campaigns, or they just want to disturb as many people as possible with their latest malware.
Malwarebytes’ state of malware report places ransomware as the biggest threat in 2024 and attacks have grown 13% year-over years.
By 2025, this trend is likely to continue, strengthened by the increase of AI agents to distribute malware and help writing phishing -e emails that are more convincing and harder to spot.
While cyber criminals have turned to targeting large companies with larger budgets to earn life’s stay, small french fries like you and I are still viable targets for less, less advanced cyber criminal groups.
Let’s not forget that a cyber criminal could be looking to steal your identity or commit credit fraud in your name using data they can steal from your computer. Some groups will just cause disturbance and give themselves a name by hitting anyone and everyone.
Windows Defender Antivirus: Is that enough?
Windows Defender Antivirus comes pre -installed by default with Windows 11.
In several tests, Windows Defender Antivirus makes a pretty good job of protecting against new malware threats, including those distributed via the Internet and via E email.
In AV-Tests Test of February 2025, they succeeded in detecting 100% of 0-day threats and widespread/widespread threats discovered in the last 4 weeks. Not bad.
But Windows Defender Antivirus is a very simple, barebones solution. Yes, it protects against malware, but it does not offer additional security features such as a VPN or dedicated parental control.
So when people say “Windows defender antivirus is enough” what they think is, it’s enough for malware-based threats, not anything else that can put your device or those who use it in danger.
For example, if you are not using a VPN while using a web browser, your Internet traffic is probably not -encrypted, which means anyone can intercept it and see what you are doing or pull potentially sensitive information from your traffic.
Windows Defender Antivirus’ function kit is gradually obtaining the features offered by many of the best antivirus providers, but it will probably always be a step behind its offerings as a free service.
Is antivirus for Windows 11 worth it?
As a security expert who is constantly writing about new attack vectors, data theft and service interruptions, it seems that the use of a Premium Antivirus service is probably a good choice for a number of reasons.
First, Windows defender antivirus only protects against your Windows machine and does not offer any protection for the rest of your devices.
Many antivirus services offer compatibility across Apple, Android, Chromebook, Windows and Linux, so you can protect all your household devices during an umbrella.
But computer security doesn’t just start and end with antivirus as every single online account you use is also a potential target for a hacker.
Therefore, many services offer password administrators as an included tool that gives you passwords that will take billions of years to crack, autofill functions to help you log in faster in and in some cases an authenticator app to keep your accounts super secure.
And best of all, you don’t even need to spend a penny to increase your protection. There are plenty of good free antivirus apps that you can install on your Windows 11 device and as an additional bonus Windows defender can be put into a passive state to work with a second-party antivirus solution.
