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Americans Cling to Third-Party Antivirus: Old Habits Die Hard but Wallets Stay Open
Nearly half of Americans are still using third-party antivirus software despite built-in OS security. Fear of malware drives 84 percent to pay for extra protection, with Norton, McAfee, and Malwarebytes leading the charge.
Hot Take:
Turns out, Americans love their antivirus software so much, they’re willing to pay for it—despite their operating systems already being the digital equivalent of Fort Knox. Or maybe they just enjoy the thrill of living in a constant state of malware paranoia. Either way, it’s a win for the antivirus companies and a loss for common sense.
Key Points:
- 46% of surveyed Americans use third-party antivirus software on their computers.
- 12% of those relying solely on OS security plan to switch to third-party software in the next six months.
- 54% of third-party antivirus users pay for it, while 43% use free versions.
- Fear of malware, privacy concerns, and online shopping worries are top reasons for using third-party software.
- Older generations are more likely to use paid antivirus software, possibly due to cautiousness or outdated systems.
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