Does Antivirus Software Collect Your Data? Yes, But Here's Why You Shouldn't Worry

We count on antivirus software to keep our devices and personal data safe from cyber threats. But some of that software may be collecting data about you while it protects you. That’s the concern raised in a 2023 report by AV-Comparatives, an independent testing lab that evaluated how 20 of the most popular antivirus programs handle user data. The study looked at what data these products collect, how much control users have over it, and whether that data is shared with third parties. It also considered how easy companies' data policies are to understand and how transparent they are about these policies. The takeaway? Antivirus tools do their job, but many gather more data than most people realize. Here's what you need to know. Read more: Best Antivirus Software for Maximum Protection in 2025 What data is my antivirus software collecting? Antivirus software must know some things about your system to keep it safe. But in many cases, it collects more information than it needs. The AV ... Read full article.