Which antivirus program is right for you? And what exactly should you do with it—what are the pros and cons? In this blog post, we’ll explain exactly what they do. For this post, we’ll focus on Windows computers—after all, Apple and Linux systems are much less prone to viruses.
The first computer viruses appeared as early as the 1970s! Back then, they weren't very complex or destructive—they were mostly just annoying. Fortunately, they could often be removed quickly!
What antivirus programs are available these days? Trojan horses, worms, Cryptolockers… There’s a perfect virus out there for every hacker or malicious actor. And that’s where you are u The victim of! Viruses that encrypt your data and then demand a ransom, or viruses that record all your keystrokes. This gives them your bank login credentials—and perhaps those for other websites as well—which you’d rather keep private. At that point, these malicious actors will start blackmailing you, and of course, that must be prevented at all costs.
These risks sound pretty serious—and they are. The sheer number of Windows computer viruses should not be underestimated. But! It’s good to know that you can effectively protect yourself against these viruses! And two factors play a major role in this: your antivirus software and you yourself!
First things first: The virus scanner. That will probably make the most sense to you. After all, this program keeps the bad guys out. Windows now comes with its own virus scanner: Windows Defender. For most computer users, this package is sufficient. It protects you while you’re sending emails and using Facebook every day. That’s about it: It does the job, but it’s not perfect.
What antivirus programs are available?
Do you want to make sure you’re protected against online crime? Then you might want to check out antivirus programs like Eset Internet Security, Malwarebytes Premium, or our favorite: Bitdefender Internet Security (you get this for free with our membership!). It has to be said that some packages are better than others. The ones mentioned above are reputable antivirus programs. Packages like AVG or McAfee may do their best, but their actual performance is questionable, to say the least.
These paid antivirus programs offer you much more than a free antivirus program. First and foremost, they provide better protection: They have more up-to-date virus definitions, which means new viruses are detected more quickly. In addition, they ensure that your firewall (incoming network connections) is thoroughly monitored at all times. They also often include backup functionality, allowing you to recover deleted or encrypted data. So you’re really paying for a better product and better security.
What can I do on my own?
This brings us to the second point regarding virus protection: you, our customer. No matter how smart the software is, you’re often a key factor, too. What do we mean by that? If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. If you’re asked to turn off your antivirus software to install a program Then don't do that. Are you on a website you don’t trust? Then close it! Your subconscious often has a good sense of what you can and can’t trust. So trust your instincts! And if you’re unsure? You can always send us an email! We’d be happy to take a look to see if this program or website is trustworthy. And if you’ve fallen victim to a virus after all? Then we’ll, of course, send an expert student to advise you and clean up your computer. Our students can also advise you on how to file other reports, such as with your bank. Of course, they’ll also help you change any passwords that may have been compromised.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of antivirus software?
The Benefits that you are safe, that your important personal information will not be stolen, and that your data will remain somewhat secure from malicious actors.
The downsides? It might slow down your computer a little. Good antivirus software won’t bother you with ads or promotions either. In fact, you won’t even notice the best antivirus software. It does its job in the background—like a quiet, vigilant guard.