Installing antivirus software reduces a computer's overall security.

Is it true that Installing antivirus software reduces a computer's overall security?

Partly. Official guidance and a security overview list antivirus as a protective measure, while a TLS-interception analysis and a review of antivirus use note that antivirus can decrease HTTPS security and has negative impacts on information security. None of the sources measures the net effect on a computer's overall security.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Nan, W. (1997). Lock It Up! Computer Security.. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ548927

Böck, H. (2015). TLS interception considered harmful: How Man-in-the-Middle filtering solutions harm the security of HTTPS. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5446/38077

Andrushchak, І., Matviiv, Y., & Koshelyuk, V. (2022). Components of viruses and antivirus software in modern information security.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.36910/6775-2524-0560-2022-48-04

What is an antivirus product? Do I need one? | National Cyber Security Centreicons/chevron/16px/black. (n.d.). ncsc.gov.uk. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/what-is-an-antivirus-product

Richard, W. (2004). An Overview of Public Access Computer Software Management Tools for Libraries. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ750487

Monakhov, A. & Starodubtsev, Y. (2023). RELEVANCE OF USE OF ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE IN ORGANIZATIONS. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7810565