2025 Antivirus Statistics and Consumer Report: 75% of Users Say Antivirus Protection Is Effective at Keeping Them Safe

Computer viruses actually predate the internet, and decades later, viruses are still an unfortunate and potentially costly part of life. Dedicated antivirus protection is a key tool for anyone looking to combat digital threats such as malware and viruses, but adoption remains a struggle. After all, how likely is it to happen to you?

Given how important antivirus software can be when it comes to protecting data and device functionality, our team wanted to take a deep dive into antivirus adoption and usage in America. To do so, we did a thorough review of the antivirus market and collected opinions from consumers by surveying 1,000 U.S. adults on their antivirus habits (and non-habits).

Key findings

• Antivirus adoption is common, but not often intentionally, as the majority of antivirus users stick with whatever came pre-installed on their devices.
• 84% of people have an antivirus installed on their computer, 68% have an antivirus installed on smartphones, and 60% have an antivirus installed on tablets.
• Just 16% of people who utilize antivirus software feel that it is ineffective at protecting their devices.
• 44% of Mac users say they have gotten a virus before, despite having antivirus software installed, the highest rate of any operating system.

Antivirus usage statistics

Digital viruses can hamper device performance, steal personal data, and more. Virus designers are constantly creating and iterating to make their malicious software more effective. Understanding how antivirus software works and reviewing top antivirus options can help users find the right antivirus protection for their needs.

So, how many people are actually taking advantage of the added security antivirus provides?

If a device can connect to the internet, it is vulnerable to viruses, and thankfully, most people recognize that. The majority of people say they use some form of antivirus software on their internet-connected devices, regardless of what type of device it is. 84% of users have antivirus software on their computers, 68% have antivirus on their smartphones, and 60% utilize antivirus software on their tablets.

In all three cases, most people choose to stick with whatever antivirus protection came pre-installed on their device. That doesn’t mean that everyone goes that route. 42% of computer users with antivirus protection took the time to compare antivirus software and find a third-party option they preferred to whatever was installed on their computer out of the box. 28% of smartphone users and 26% of tablet users with antivirus on those devices also went the third-party route.

Different operating systems have their own unique defenses and underlying processes that impact how effective or ineffective viruses are at attacking a user’s device and data. Similarly, different antivirus protections can be more or less effective at working in conjunction with and defending different operating systems, with some products proving to be the best antivirus for Windows devices, others being the best antivirus for Macs, and so on.

When comparing the kinds of antivirus software that users of popular operating systems choose to use, those who own a Microsoft-powered device are more likely to use third-party antivirus software and are more likely to use antivirus software in general. 90% of Microsoft users have antivirus software installed on their computer, with 55% sticking to what came pre-installed and 45% turning to a third-party product. Comparatively, just 78% of Mac users say they currently have antivirus software on their computer. Among those who do have it, only 32% installed a third-party option, while the remaining 68% used the protection that their computer came with.

Free vs. paid antivirus usage

Getting a virus can be a costly headache, especially if the virus in question is one that can collect and steal personal information or valuable data. That threat makes antivirus software an invaluable defensive tool that typically (but not exclusively) comes with a price tag.

While pre-installed protections tend to be free with the purchase of a device, most third-party antivirus programs come with a cost. There are a number of top free antivirus options available for frugal users, though. A little more than a quarter of people who use third-party solutions (27%) say they use a free antivirus product, while the remaining 73% use a program they pay for.

Motivators behind third-party antivirus adoption

Many modern digital devices come with built-in antivirus software or protection, but some users may find those protections lacking and seek alternative solutions. Our survey found that more than one-third of computer users, 35%, choose to use third-party antivirus protection.

When asked why they chose to use third-party software, one answer stood out above the rest. More than half of the qualifying respondents (56%) said that the antivirus software they found and installed offered better protection than what came pre-installed on their device.

The number two answer was that the third-party protection they chose offered better performance, something that a little more than one-third (36%) said. Three other reasons were cited by more than a quarter of third-party antivirus users, as 30% said their antivirus software offered extra features compared to what came pre-installed. 29% said that third-party software offered better customization options, and that same percentage said that their familiarity and past usage of a specific third-party antivirus led them to install it on their current device.

Market pricing and features

There are dozens of antivirus products available to consumers, each offering different features, functionality, and price points. The All About Cookies team has evaluated and broken down over 25 of the most popular and well-known antivirus products available.

When it comes to affordability, around two-thirds of top antivirus programs (64%) cost between $21 and $40 annually, with 25% exceeding those costs. Around 11% cost less than $20 per year, including 3.6% that are free to use.

Given how costly some of these programs are and how crucial it is that they actually protect a user’s device, it’s important for companies to stand behind their antivirus products, which the vast majority do. 93% of the best antivirus software we evaluated comes with a money-back guarantee that lasts for at least 30 days.

Every one of the top antivirus products reviewed allows users to install protection on multiple devices with a single subscription, with the average number of covered devices coming in at 24. Looking at additional features, we found that 79% of top antivirus software products also protect against ransomware and phishing attacks, and 61% come with a built-in firewall to beef up device security.

Why people aren’t using antivirus protection

While most people do have some kind of antivirus protection on their computer, a not-insignificant portion of the population (16%) chooses to go without. We found the top reasons they choose to forego the added security that antivirus software can provide.

One-third of respondents cited cost as a reason they don’t use antivirus software — the number one reason given. A slightly smaller percentage (30%) said their computer is secure enough without antivirus software installed, and 21% said they simply don’t trust antivirus software. 16% feel that antivirus software slows down device performance, and the same percentage says they don’t believe antivirus protection is effective.

Is antivirus protection effective?

While 16% of skeptics may question the effectiveness of antivirus software, we wanted to see how those who do use antivirus software feel about the performance of their antivirus protection.

On that score, three-quarters of users say that antivirus software is at least somewhat effective at protecting their device, including 29% who say it is extremely effective. Additionally, 9% do not have an opinion either way regarding antivirus effectiveness, meaning that just 16% of people who actively use antivirus feel that it is somewhat or extremely ineffective.

Antivirus attacks

A major way a user’s opinion can be soured on antivirus protection is for that protection to fail and let a virus infest their device. Even in cases where that happens, antivirus software can be helpful in finding the infection, alerting the user to it, and limiting the damage the virus causes.

More than a third of respondents (36%) say that they have gotten a virus on their computer despite having antivirus protection actively installed on their computer. There is a notable difference in the frequency of such instances, however, based on the kind of antivirus the user has installed. Among those who stick with whatever antivirus came pre-installed on their device, the rate of infection is 42%, while for those who take the time to find and install a third-party solution, it’s 27%.

We also wanted to see how often viruses got through existing antivirus protections on different operating systems. In that regard, 44% of Mac users say a virus has gotten through their antivirus software and onto their computer, the highest rate of any OS. Comparatively, 36% of Windows users say they have gotten a virus even with protection in place, while the same has happened to 30% of those who use non-Windows and non-Mac operating systems.

Making the most out of your antivirus software

• Block your browser from spam and malware. Research the top-rated virus and threat protection programs that match your needs.
• Test other real-time protection tools. Premium plans, such as those offered by Guardio, can equip you with data breach monitoring and identity theft insurance.
• Don’t neglect your mobile devices. Safeguard your Android or iPhone with our recommended options.

Methodology

To collect the data for this survey, our team at All About Cookies surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in March 2025 via Pollfish. All respondents were U.S. citizens over the age of 18 and remained anonymous.