Jake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Tech Editor, and has been covering tech news and how-tos for nearly a decade. His team covers all things technology, including AI, smartphones, computers, game consoles, ...

Microsoft updates Defender in Windows install media to block threats during setup and close early security gaps.

Michelle is Lifehacker's Associate Tech Editor, and has been reviewing games, laptops, phones, and more for over 10 years. She is based in New York City and holds a master's degree from NYU. If you’ve ...

5 Antivirus Programs That Actually Hold Up in 2026 Best Antivirus for Windows 11: Fast, Lightweight & Secure Windows 11 users face growing cyber threats, from ransomware and phishing to occasional ...

Most users are familiar with Windows Defender (the antivirus tool built into Windows Security), which continuously monitors the system for suspicious software activity and also identifies and blocks ...