Windows 11 antivirus

Microsoft made Windows 11 available on October 5, 2021. It is a free upgrade for eligible PCs running Windows 10, and is the latest release for new PCs that come with Windows 11 already installed. 

Microsoft has shared that some PCs will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. They have a tool called the PC Health Check app that you can use to check if your current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11. Minimum system requirements are also listed on their Windows 11 page.

To read an in-depth take on Windows 11 and security, check out this article from Malwarebytes Labs: Windows 11 is out. Is it any good for security?

Historically, Windows PCs have been subject to many online threats such as computer viruses, computer worms, and other forms of malware. Today, threats like ransomware, cryptojacking, social engineering, and spyware pose threats to PCs. Consider the following Windows threat headlines from thus far in 2021: 

• HiveNightmare zero-day lets anyone be SYSTEM on Windows 10 and 11
• Patch now! Emergency fix for PrintNightmare released by Microsoft
• Get patching! Wormable Windows flaw headlines Patch Tuesday
• Microsoft issues 83 patches, one for actively exploited vulnerability

Vulnerabilities are regularly discovered in software, and there are bad actors out there willing to exploit them. Zero-day attacks are exploits of brand new vulnerabilities before the software developer knows about it or has a chance to fix it, and we see these in Windows, as noted in the stories above. As an operating system, Windows faces a lot of threats. To protect your PC, use security software that includes antivirus and anti-malware protection like Malwarebytes Premium. Doing so means your PC is protected against a wide range of today’s online threats.

Even in 2025, viruses are still persistent threats. A virus infection is harmful software triggered by performing common tasks such as opening an email attachment, launching an infected program, or viewing an ad on a malicious site. Viruses self-replicate by modifying or completely replacing files.

Viruses are a type of malware. Malware’s focus is all about making money off you. Although it can’t damage the physical hardware of your device or network equipment, it can steal, encrypt, or delete your data, alter or hijack core computer functions, and spy on your activity.

The best way to protect against a virus infection and malware is to use a legitimate antivirus and anti-malware solution such as Malwarebytes Premium that protects your PC against not just viruses but other threats, too. You can use our free version to manually scan and remove threats, but our paid version will regularly scan, clean, and block threats so you don’t have to worry. It’s powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to keep your PC safe.

A PC that has gotten infected with a virus or other type of malware often starts showing signs, although some types of malware stay more quiet and hidden. Signs that your PC may have been infected can include: 

• Lots of pop-ups: They might encourage you to visit unusual sites or download unfamiliar software.
• Frequent crashes: Your device can freeze or crash due to hard drive damage from a virus.
• Mass emails being sent in your name: It can feel frustrating when a cyberthief sends mass emails in your name.
• Your password suddenly changes: Unusual stuff happens, like a password change, that keep you from logging in.
• Slow computer: If your computer suddenly starts running slowly, it could be a virus.
• Your homepage is different: Your homepage defaults to a different website or you can’t reset it.

To check for a virus or malware on your PC, you can use Malwarebytes’ free antivirus to scan and remove threats. To proactively protect your PC against these types of threats, consider subscribing to Malwarebytes Premium to ensure that your PC is protected regularly.