How to Run an Antivirus Scan to Keep Your Devices Secure in 2026

As a cyber security expert with over a decade of experience securing cloud data, one of the most important things I advise everyone to do is run regular antivirus scans on their devices. New online threats emerge every single day that can make any laptop, smartphone or tablet vulnerable to hackers and malicious software. Without an up-to-date antivirus program actively monitoring for and removing malware, your private data and online accounts could be at serious risk.

Thankfully, running an antivirus scan is a straightforward process that can keep your devices well-protected. Let‘s walk through exactly how to do it across all your devices, what kinds of scans you should run, and how to choose the best antivirus software to safeguard your digital life in 2024 and beyond.

How to Run an Antivirus Scan on Different Devices

The specific steps for running an antivirus scan will vary a bit depending on what type of device you have:

Windows PCs

All versions of Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in antivirus called Microsoft Defender. To run a quick scan:
1. Click the Windows icon and go to Settings
2. Select "Privacy & Security" then "Windows Security"
3. Click "Virus & threat protection"
4. Under "Current threats" click "Quick scan"

To run a full scan that checks your entire PC:

1. Click "Scan options" under "Current threats"
2. Select "Full scan" then click "Scan now"

For an even deeper scan, choose "Microsoft Defender Offline scan" which restarts your PC and checks for well-hidden malware before Windows fully loads.

Mac Computers

macOS doesn‘t have built-in antivirus software, so you‘ll need to install a third-party program. Once you have one:
1. Open your antivirus app
2. Choose the scan option you want to run (quick or full)
3. Click the scan button and let it run
4. Remove any threats the software finds

While some argue Macs are targeted less than PCs, malware can still spread through seemingly innocuous apps and phishing links, so an antivirus scan is always smart.

Android Devices

To scan an Android phone or tablet for viruses:
1. Install an antivirus app from the Google Play store
2. Open the app and make sure it‘s up-to-date
3. Choose the scan you want to run
4. Let the scan complete and remove any malware found

iPhones and iPads

Mobile security on iOS is so locked down, antivirus apps can‘t actually scan iPhones and iPads. But you can still take steps to secure them:
– Keep iOS updated to the latest version
– Restart your device if it‘s acting strange
– Clear browser history and website data
– Delete any suspicious or unfamiliar apps
– Restore to an earlier iCloud backup if problems persist

Different Types of Antivirus Scans Explained

Most antivirus programs offer a few different levels of scanning:

Quick Scan: Checks common areas where viruses hide like startup folders and the Registry. Provides basic protection and runs fairly fast.

Full Scan: Examines every file and folder on your hard drive, including external drives and USBs. Takes longer but provides the most comprehensive protection.

Custom Scan: Lets you pick certain files, folders or drives to scan. Useful for checking external devices or specific suspicious items.

Scheduled Scan: Automatically runs a scan on a recurring basis, such as daily or weekly. Helpful for maintaining regular protection without having to remember to manually scan.

What Do Antivirus Scans Actually Do?

During a scan, antivirus software is looking for any code or files matching known malware definitions stored in its database. When a match is found, the suspicious item is flagged for removal to prevent infection of your system and theft of your data.

Most antiviruses will automatically delete detected malware, though some let you choose to quarantine items for further review first. When in doubt, it‘s usually safest to delete anything flagged as a potential threat.

Top Reasons You Absolutely Need an Antivirus

Still not convinced an antivirus is necessary? Here‘s why I believe everyone should be running active antivirus protection:

1. Malware threats are constantly evolving and increasingly sophisticated. What was secure yesterday may be vulnerable today.

2. An antivirus provides real-time protection to block incoming malware before it infiltrates your device and steals data.

3. Stealthy malware like spyware and stalkerware can compromise your privacy and monitor your activity without your knowledge.

4. The costs and fallout of a malware infection are far higher than what you‘ll pay for good antivirus protection.

5. Built-in security from operating systems like Windows and Android is better than nothing, but often lags behind the advanced capabilities of top antivirus software.

How to Choose the Best Antivirus Software in 2024

With so many antivirus options available, how do you pick the right one? Here are the key things I look for when evaluating security programs:

Strong malware detection: Verified by independent lab tests to catch the vast majority of threats and generate minimal false positives.

Robust extra features: Beyond just antivirus scanning, good security software will include things like a VPN, firewall, anti-phishing, parental controls and identity theft monitoring.

Comprehensive coverage: Protects against the full spectrum of malware (viruses, ransomware, spyware, keyloggers, rootkits, etc.) across all your device types.

Good value: Provides ample features, multi-device coverage and reliable protection at a competitive annual rate.

High ratings: Earns strong scores from professional reviewers and actual users for malware defense, performance and ease of use.

Some of my top-recommended antivirus suites that check all these boxes include:

• Bitdefender Total Security: Perfect scores in lab tests, full set of security tools, protects up to 10 devices.

• Norton 360 Deluxe: Advanced AI-based malware detection, unlimited VPN, 50GB cloud backup, covers 5 devices.

• McAfee Total Protection: Robust security suite with identity monitoring, safe banking tools, multi-device coverage.

No matter which antivirus you choose, the most important thing is to have one continuously monitoring your devices for emerging malware threats. Combined with other smart digital hygiene like strong passwords and caution when clicking links, antivirus scans will go a long way in keeping your data locked down in an increasingly risky online world.