From personal to business use, all computers need dependable antivirus software. The digital age is not free from attacks, in fact, cyber crimes caused monetary damage amounting to a whopping $4.2 billion in 2020 alone. The most vulnerable devices are desktop and laptop computers. The leading malware carrier is email.
These statistics should prompt everyone to be immediately on the lookout for reliable antivirus software in the market. It’s your cyber security at risk, so there is little to no room for experimenting. Go for names with a proven record. Don’t know where to start or what to look for? Below is a checklist you can follow.
Your computer needs protection from a list of things. There are different kinds of malware such as ransomware, worms, spyware, rootkits, Trojans, and more. Excellent antivirus software should be able to detect all these. After scanning your device, your antivirus tool should be able to identify the threats and get rid of them.
A good antivirus tool should not disrupt any of your activities by working in the background and only notifying you when it detects a threat. It must give you a warning when you are about to interact with a dangerous website or file.
You can refer to test scores from NSS Labs, AV-TEST, and AV-Comparatives when comparing antivirus software. These are independent labs that rank antivirus software based on protection, usability, and performance.
You don’t always have the time to do a full scan, so choose an antivirus tool that lets you do multiple scan options. Some antivirus software offers full scan, quick scan, and custom scan. Select one that gives you control over the scan duration and breadth.
Keep in mind that there are compatibility requirements when choosing any software to use on your computer. Check the software’s compatibility with your personal computer by going to the company’s website where their information is usually displayed. Compare it with the configuration of your computer.
If you have devices in one ecosystem such as Apple, you may consider getting antivirus protection that can cover all your devices.
Check for speed reviews to make sure that the antivirus scanning won’t impede your work process. Sometimes, heavy scans can slow down your device which renders it unusable for long periods.
There are basic antivirus tools you can get from the internet. They do the most basic job which can be enough for personal use. However, these free tools do not come with support when something goes wrong.
When you purchase an antivirus tool, choose one that provides 24/7 customer support. Make sure they are available through multiple communication platforms.
You are essentially giving permission to an antivirus tool to guard your most private and personal files. It is important to go over the privacy policy of the provider you are choosing. Raise questions if you spot something you don’t understand or if you find something questionable.
Comments 0
NA
