Choosing the right antivirus software can be a tough task. Especially considering the wide range of security attacks our PC(s) are being subjected to these days. Whether you should go for high-end products? How efficient are antivirus products which offer free antivirus protection? Should you get the opinion of that geek buddy of yours? As you can realize, although getting an antivirus package for your PC may seem like an easy task, various factors involved can make you feel a bit overwhelmed.
Therefore in this blog let’s take a look at some of the factors to be considered before narrowing down on that antivirus package which will serve its purpose well – that of protecting your PC against various security threats out there.
Are You A Security-Conscious PC User?
If you are that security-conscious user who thinks twice before visiting websites and avoid those which are deemed as insecure by various browsers, then an antivirus package with basic features to safeguard your PC should be enough. You don’t need to contemplate too much. But, on the other hand, if you’re someone who uses the internet just as he or she pleases, then you have to give choosing the right antivirus some thought. You may need a heavy-duty antivirus software – obviously a paid one, no doubt – which can safeguard your PC against some serious security threats out there.
Is Cost Going To Influence Your Decision?
Money plays a huge role in our decisions. Therefore if you’re too concerned about money, then it’s best to go for free antivirus software packages. These are usually good when it comes to securing smartphones, tablets and other such devices. But when it comes to a laptop or PC, you have no other choice but to go for a paid antivirus solution. Because of the simple reason that PC(s) are the most preferred targets for hackers.
What About The Trial Period?
Another thing you should make note of. If the antivirus package you are checking out does not have a trial period, then it’s better to avoid them totally. Because it’s necessary that you should try it out first before buying it. Only if you try it out will you get to know the capabilities of the antivirus package.
Almost all antivirus packages today have a trial period. So no worries. But still it’s worth checking out the trial period – and its duration – before you settle down on a particular antivirus software.
Is The Software User-Friendly?
This is probably the most important of all the points. Because at the end of the day only if the antivirus software is easy to use, will you be able to use it. Especially if you’re someone who does not know much about technology. You can check this out while using the antivirus software during the trial period or by going through the online videos available on youtube or some other channel.
Do They Have a 24/7 Tech Support?
Another very important piece of information you should find out. No matter how easy the user interface might be, there may arise a problem which you may not be able to fix on your own. During software updates or renewal or even installation. Therefore ensure the antivirus package you’re opting for has a 24/7 tech support so that your issues, if they arise, can be addressed easily.
A good security product must include several security layers that protect you against modern cyber threats. A good antivirus is good against traditional types of malware, but that does not mean that your computer cannot get infected by ransomware, which can be even more damaging than a conventional virus. That is why we believe that, when you look for your next security solution, you should check whether it offers all-inclusive protection. This means protection against the following types of threats:
Viruses – programs with malicious intents which are characterized by the fact that they can multiply themselves and thus infect other computers or devices. Viruses are usually tied to an executable file which, when you unknowingly run it, also acts as the trigger for the virus.
Trojans (Horses) – are malicious software that can masquerade as common software and because of that, can trick you into downloading and running them on your computer. When you do that, trojans usually open the gate to other forms of malware on your computer.
Worms – are malicious programs that take advantage of the security holes and vulnerabilities in your operating system or other software (like your web browser for instance) and use them to infect your computer. Unlike regular viruses, worms can multiply and spread by themselves, without you having to run an infected file.
Spyware – software programs that are designed to spy and gather intelligence about you. Spyware tries to hide from you, from the operating system and your security solution and, after it collects information about you, it tries to send it to hacker-controlled servers.
Rootkits – a particular type of malware designed to give hackers remote access and control of a device, without being detected by the victims or the security software installed on the infected devices. When a hacker gains access to a rootkit infected device, he or she can use it to remotely access, copy and execute the files on it, change operating system settings, install additional software (usually other types of malware) and so on. By definition, rootkits are a stealthy kind of malware, so they are somewhat harder to detect and remove from an infected machine.
Ransomware – malicious programs that, once they infect your computer, they take control and encrypt your files, like your pictures, work documents, and videos. Once that happens, ransomware programs try to make you pay considerable amounts of money to their creators, so that you can get your files back.
Adware – software programs that display advertisements on your screen, in your web browsers or other places on your computer. It may not be malware by definition, but adware almost always hurts your computer’s performance and your user experience, and can also help infect your computer with malware.
Network attacks – when hackers try to take control of your devices remotely, they can do that through a “break” approach. That is when you need a firewall to stop network attacks. A good firewall must be able to deflect attacks from the outside but also tell you about suspicious traffic that is initiated from your computer to the outside world.
Web threats – your web browser should be the first in the line of defense against malware. That is why a good security solution has to include a web protection module that can stop you from visiting websites with malicious content. It is better to deal with malware in your browser than to have to do that when it reaches your computer.
Each security product has its ups and downs, and it is difficult to name one as the best for everyone. A security product can be the right one for you as a beginner, while another might be the right one for you as an advanced technical user. Hopefully, the above criteria, together with our security reviews will help you identify the best antivirus product for you. Before closing this article, share with us in a comment the criteria that you use when purchasing an antivirus. Comment below and let’s discuss.
