Serious Discussion Antivirus vs. Common Sense — What Really Keeps You Safe in 2025?

[Bot]

In 2025, home users have more cybersecurity tools than ever:
AI-powered antivirus suites, browser isolation, cloud scanning, sandboxing, smart firewalls, and real-time behavior monitoring.

But a growing number of users say:

“If you don’t download shady files, avoid pirated software, and don’t fall for phishing — you don’t need antivirus at all.”

So... what matters more in today’s threat landscape?

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What Modern Antivirus Software Offers:​

• Real-time protection against viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware
• Phishing protection via browser extensions or DNS filtering
• AI/ML-based detection of zero-day malware
• Firewall and network monitoring
• Anti-keylogger, webcam protection, and dark web monitoring (in premium versions)
• Tools for system optimization, parental controls, VPN, and file shredder (in "Total Security" suites)

But how many of these features do you actually use?

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The Common Sense Approach:​

Many power users believe:

“The best antivirus is your brain.”

They rely on:

• Keeping software and OS updated
• Using a secure browser with uBlock Origin, HTTPS Everywhere, and/or DNS filtering
• Backing up data regularly
• Using limited or standard accounts
• Avoiding pirated software, cracks, and unknown downloads
• Double-checking links and sender addresses in emails

And their argument is simple:
“If you’re not reckless, why waste resources on bloated AVs with upsells, nags, and telemetry?”

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The Real Question for 2025:​

• Are modern AVs worth it if you already practice safe computing?
• Can "common sense" defend you against sophisticated threats like ransomware, fileless malware, supply chain attacks, or rogue browser extensions?
• Or do you need both — strong habits and a smart AV to catch the 1% you miss?

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Community Thoughts:​

Let’s hear your opinion:

• Do you run a paid antivirus? Which one, and why?
• Have you gone AV-free and survived without infections?
• Do you rely on Microsoft Defender and consider it “good enough”?
• Have you ever been infected even while being careful?

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Bonus Questions:​

• Has antivirus become mostly marketing fluff?
• Should Windows Defender be disabled if you're using another AV?
• Are AV companies overstating threats to sell subscriptions?
• Is the average home user too careless to rely on common sense alone?

 

[roger_m]

I voted that antivirus is overrated. I don't believe that anyone should ditch their antivirus. However, in my experience, the most important step to avoid getting infected, is to be very careful about what files you open. No antivirus provides 100% protection, so you shouldn't just blindly trust an antivirus to keep you protected. If you're not click happy, you will greatly reduce the chances of getting infected. So my advice is not to be click happy and to also use a good antivirus.

 

[Marko :)]

I voted that antivirus is overrated. I don't believe that anyone should ditch their antivirus. However, in my experience, the most important step to avoid getting infected, is to be very careful about what files you open. No antivirus provides 100% protection, so you shouldn't just blindly trust an antivirus to keep you protected. If you're not click happy, you will greatly reduce the chances of getting infected. So my advice is not to be click happy and to also use a good antivirus.

100%!

Buying antivirus software in 2025 is literally throwing money down the drain. Windows Defender is more than good for everyone, and if you want to increase your protection, you can always opt to use DNS with malware and phishing protection and ad blocker in the browser. I surf everywhere, even pirate sites and the last time my PC was infected I was in elementary school.

Have you noticed how every single antivirus company, after release of Defender, started offering VPN, password manager, various optimizers and cleaners? Yeah. The whole purpose of these 3rd party antivirus software is to sell you something you don't need and to scare you into buying it. Take Android antivirus apps for example; these apps are everything with antivirus part being barely 1% of the app capability.

 

[nickstar1]

100%!

Buying antivirus software in 2025 is literally throwing money down the drain. Windows Defender is more than good for everyone, and if you want to increase your protection, you can always opt to use DNS with malware and phishing protection and ad blocker in the browser. I surf everywhere, even pirate sites and the last time my PC was infected I was in elementary school.

Have you noticed how every single antivirus company, after release of Defender, started offering VPN, password manager, various optimizers and cleaners? Yeah. The whole purpose of these 3rd party antivirus software is to sell you something you don't need and to scare you into buying it. Take Android antivirus apps for example; these apps are everything with antivirus part being barely 1% of the app capability.

I will say trendmicro is still what it's suppose to be as an AV no BS just a pure security program.

 

[TairikuOkami]

I have not used AV since XP, except for testing, and I never got infected. Malware does not magically infect PC, it all involves scripts and other related stuff.
11 and modern browsers are much safer than they were decades ago, it is really hard to get infected, people generally do it by themselves by running files.
And no, it does not require much skill, my happy to click on everything mom was malware free and I only used the basic setup like a safe DNS and UAC.

 

[Parkinsond]

Common courtesy
Sometimes using "reputable" antivirus (as believed guided by marketing) gives me a false sense of security, making me do stupid things which might lead to getting infected.

 

[silversurfer]

Regarding those people claiming I never got infected the majority of them are unable to check everywhere (OS) carefully for hidden malware or traces...

 

[Parkinsond]

Regarding those people claiming I never got infected the majority of them are unable to check everywhere (OS) carefully for hidden malware or traces...

here comes the role of on-demand scanners such as NPE.

 

[silversurfer]

here comes the role of on-demand scanners such as NPE.

That doesn't help if those people don't know what is for sure False Positive, some on-demand scanners (specially NPE) are known for being too aggressive...

 

[Zero Knowledge]

You can't help stupid so AV is sadly still a necessity for most people. People usually start out their security journey through being infected and gradually, find forums like these & learn.

Side-note: Back in the day I used to run pirated music production warez like VST and DAW's without a antivirus on a not patched XP. You can only imagine what was lurking on that box .

Is AV a panacea? No but it's still relevant and useful.

 

[Parkinsond]

some on-demand scanners (specially NPE) are known for being too aggressive

that is why when their scan comes clean, it means there is no infection.

 

[Marko :)]

I will say trendmicro is still what it's suppose to be as an AV no BS just a pure security program.

They don't try to upsell you with something?! Really?! That's rare these days.

I have not used AV since XP, except for testing, and I never got infected. Malware does not magically infect PC, it all involves scripts and other related stuff.
11 and modern browsers are much safer than they were decades ago, it is really hard to get infected, people generally do it by themselves by running files.
And no, it does not require much skill, my happy to click on everything mom was malware free and I only used the basic setup like a safe DNS and UAC.

Man... I used to be part of local tech forum where bunch of us helped people clean malware from their PCs. Ever since Defender came, the thread is pretty much dead. Last request for help was like when Windows 7/8.1 still had large marketshare maybe few years ago. That really shows you how much Microsoft stepped in security game.

Common courtesy
Sometimes using "reputable" antivirus (as believed guided by marketing) gives me a false sense of security, making me do stupid things which might lead to getting infected.

Just because antivirus is good at detecting malware on test where you download bunch of samples and then scan them, doesn't mean it's actually good in real world scenario. I learned that the hard way when I was very young.

Regarding those people claiming I never got infected the majority of them are unable to check everywhere (OS) carefully for hidden malware or traces...

I still think if you don't download shady stuff, and don't open malicious e-mail attachments, you have nothing to be worried.

 

[silversurfer]

that is why when their scan comes clean, it means there is no infection.

But that doesn't mean really clean, because certain malware might be hidden in the OS what on-demand scanners missed...

 

[Zero Knowledge]

I still think if you don't download shady stuff, and don't open malicious e-mail attachments, you have nothing to be worried.

Yeah in most cases that's correct but then your starting to see networking gear like routers being targeted and CPU side channel vulns and exploits of UEFI/BIOS. Not simple as don't do XXX.

 

[Marko :)]

Yeah in most cases that's correct but then your starting to see networking gear like routers being targeted and CPU side channel vulns and exploits of UEFI/BIOS. Not simple as don't do XXX.

I'd seriously like to see this happen with my very own eyes. Because all reports we saw were made by security analysts that managed to do it in controlled environment. There were no cases of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

Majority of these so called "severe" CPU/UEFI/BIOS vulnerabilities can't be exploited remotely. The hacker would need to get physical access to hardware in order to exploit these vulnerabilities; so in reality, chances for this happening are exactly 0. I'm not saying these vulnerabilities shouldn't be patched though I am saying they are unnecessarily scaring the people.

Regarding routers, yes. Routers tend to get hacked and there were multiple cases of this happening in the world. However, all of the routers in question were ISP-issued routers. More precisely, they were hacked because the ISP itself was hacked. This is a risk you can easily mitigate by using your own router. Chances that your own router gets hacked are minimal, and in order to do that, hacker would have to join your network. For this reason, I recommend everyone to limit the range of their Wi-Fi network; you never know who can try to break in into your Wi-Fi.

 

[BSONE]

I don't think we should separate common sense from Antivirus products.
Common sense says that you don't download cracks for games and apps, or download and run a program that gives you instant free access to porn, or a must watch sports game live.
An Antivirus product will try and mitigate any damage that common sense fails. Better ones will block malicious scripts and calling home to C&C sites.
I agree with previous comments about AV products adding extra bloat such as VPN and system and browser cleaners which are sub standard and useless features.
I like what Mcafee are doing at the moment though with their Scam Detector feature, which makes sense for the average user as prevention is better than a cure.

 

[monkeylove]

There have been cases of legitimate software containing malware, legitimate websites containing malware or serving them from other sites, and legitimate companies and sites hit by malware, with user or customer info compromised.

In addition, there may be malware that can't be detected right away, and that can stay in systems and steal info. And backing and restoring data does not negate data theft.

Given that, common sense is not enough.

One more thing: it's also pointless to talk about one's experiences in forums that don't require ID verification and proof of those experiences.

 

[Parkinsond]

An Antivirus product will try and mitigate any damage that common sense fails

If common sense failed, then it was uncommon enough.

 

[Parkinsond]

There have been cases of legitimate software containing malware, legitimate websites containing malware or serving them from other sites, and legitimate companies and sites hit by malware, with user or customer info compromised

What is the average frequency of such incidence?

 

[Marko :)]

There have been cases of legitimate software containing malware, legitimate websites containing malware or serving them from other sites, and legitimate companies and sites hit by malware, with user or customer info compromised.

These cases are extremely rare and it's very unlikely that updated and well maintained websites get hacked. If you think any antivirus will protect you from that, it won't. Antivirus software can barely protect you from phishing websites, let alone hacked websites.

The only thing that can protect you in events like this are maintained and updated web browser, DNS with security in mind (such as DNS0 or Quad9), and ad blocker with comprehensive list like HaGeZi. I hope I don't have to mention common sense.

Antivirus software isn't as quickly updated as DNS or ad blocking filters and for that reasons you can't expect them to catch malicious website which typically last an hour or so before they are taken down. Again, this is why phishing is so efficient; antivirus companies just can't keep up with it. By the time antivirus company adds phishing domain into their data base, website is already long gone.

In addition, there may be malware that can't be detected right away, and that can stay in systems and steal info. And backing and restoring data does not negate data theft.

Extremely rare cases. You're more likely to win the lottery than to have malware in the background without your knowledge.
Beside, sooner or later you'd notice someone got into one of your accounts or other signs that something just isn't right.

Given that, common sense is not enough.

One more thing: it's also pointless to talk about one's experiences in forums that don't require ID verification and proof of those experiences.

No one said common sense is enough. It is 80% of your protection though, if not more.

Common sense is the one that will tell you not to enter your credit card details after taking a survey for free iPhone, not an antivirus software. It will also say that you aren't related to any Nigerian prince so you shouldn't give him your data when you get a mail. And that you don't have a banking account in Las Vegas filled with millions that you forgot about.

If common sense failed, then it was uncommon enough.

Without common sense, there's no life.

What is the average frequency of such incidence?

Extremely, extremely rare. Almost non-existent.