Everything you do online can have consequences. Whether you’re shopping, banking or browsing the web for cat videos, cyber criminals are watching and waiting for their opportunity to strike. They know that most people aren’t as security-conscious as they should be, so they take advantage of that knowledge by creating websites that look trustworthy but are actually full of malicious software. This article will explain what an antivirus is, why you need one and how bestantivirus.co.uk makes choosing and installing a good antivirus program easy so read on to learn more about this essential software!
What is Antivirus Software?
At its most basic, an antivirus program scans files, emails and websites to look for malicious software – this could be anything from spyware (which can track your activity and harvest data) to ransomware (which holds your computer hostage by locking you out of your own files). If it finds anything, the antivirus program will deal with it so you don’t have to. The best antivirus programs go beyond that, though, and can actually stop malware from ever reaching your computer. That’s because today’s antivirus programs are designed to work ‘in the cloud’ as well as on your computer itself. Many antivirus programs now offer robust internet security features that can protect you from all kinds of malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware and more.
Why do you need an antivirus?
Viruses and malware are nothing new but the internet has given them a whole new lease of life. Now, you can come into contact with these malicious pieces of software just by browsing the web. In fact, the majority of computer infections come from people clicking on links in emails and in social media posts that they suspect may not be trustworthy. How much damage can one virus do? Enough to stop you from being able to access your online banking account, your online shopping account or even your own work computer. Enough to stop you from being able to get your emails and enough to stop you from being able to do your work properly because one malicious program can affect many different parts of your computer and all your online activities.
Install a good antivirus program
The best antivirus programs are essential if you want to protect yourself from viruses, trojans and the other malicious software that’s out there. When it comes to antivirus software, there are two main types: – Standalone antivirus programs: These programs are installed on your computer and protect your device from malicious programs. – Cloud-based antivirus programs: These work as software-as-a-service (SaaS) programs that protect your devices from malicious programs in the cloud. They don’t actually install on your computer but run in the background of your devices and automatically scan your emails and upload files from your computer.
How to choose an antivirus program
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing an antivirus program: – Reputation: There are plenty of companies that offer antivirus programs, but not all of them have the same level of security. Look for a reputable antivirus program that has been around for a while and that other people have recommended. – Price: Not all antivirus programs are priced the same, so shop around and see which one is right for you. – Features: What kind of additional features does the antivirus program offer? Are you especially concerned about online security? If so, an antivirus program with robust internet security features might be a better choice for you. – Ease of use: You don’t want to spend all your time trying to figure out how the antivirus program works. Make sure you can use it effortlessly so you don’t spend all your time fiddling with settings and features that you don’t need.
More tips to stay safe online and offline!
– Update your computer regularly: Make sure your computer has the latest security patches by keeping your operating system and other software up to date. – Use a password manager: You should have different passwords for every account and it’s extremely difficult to do that if you have to remember them all! A password manager makes it easy to create and store strong, unique passwords that you don’t have to remember. – Keep your devices clean: Make sure you remove programs you don’t use from your computer and your other devices. – Keep your devices away from infected networks: If you’re at a public wifi hotspot, for example, you don’t know who else is using that network and whether or not they’re malicious. – Exercise caution when you click links online: If you get an email link or click on a link in social media, hover over the link and see where it goes before clicking it.
Conclusion
An antivirus program isn’t something you should take lightly. It’s an essential tool that can protect you from threats that could completely disrupt your life. There are plenty of free antivirus programs out there but if you want the best protection, you need to invest in a paid program. Find the right antivirus program for you by keeping these tips in mind and you can protect your computer and online life from malicious software.
