Some antivirus installers try to install browser extensions, change your default search engine, or install cleaner utilities alongside the antivirus. Always choose "Custom Installation" to uncheck these extras.

John nodded. "I see. And have you been getting any notifications about the trial expiring?"

Elena’s blood chilled. A second window opened on her screen. It was identical to Cyber-Guardian’s interface, except the colors were wrong—a deep, bruise-purple. Another avatar sat there. It was a copy of Vex, but its fur was matted, its eyes hollow red voids.

Open your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) while the antivirus is running a scan. If it’s using 90% of your CPU, it might not be the right fit.

Premium suites often include extras like VPNs, password managers, and parental controls. A trial lets you see if these "bonus" features actually work for your lifestyle.

She was editing her resume when Vex’s ears flattened. The galaxy of nodes turned a sickly amber. A low, guttural hum emanated from her speakers.

“Can you stop them?” she whispered.

“Dormant cookies. Old trackers. A forgotten keylogger from 2019,” Vex listed, his tail swishing digitally. “Nothing to fear. Not yet.”