zdnet[.]com/article/stop-paying-for-antivirus-software-heres-why-you-dont-need-it/
Ed Bott explains his opinion that all we really need to use is Windows built in Defender.
Small fry users are reasonably well protected via default security measures, mostly because determined attackers see no financial benefit in picking on such puny victims. If you're still paying Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky for antivirus protection on your home PC, it's time to let that subscription expire. But if your IT department at work says they want you to install an endpoint monitoring app, take them at their word.
On a related note, Microsoft held a closed conference with industry players and government reps regarding the recent global meltdown that was caused by CrowdStrike. The reason it was so devastating was that Windows allows CrowdStrike [& other security vendors] access to the Kernel. Many [most?] security experts would rather they did not, because then things like the recent meltdown can happen. As Ed notes, it's unlikely to change because security vendors demand the same sort of low level access to Windows that Microsoft has with Defender.
zdnet[.]com/article/at-microsofts-security-summit-experts-debated-how-to-prevent-another-global-it-meltdown-will-it-help/