As computer and smart device operating systems continue to become more secure, many question whether they actually need additional protection. The simple answer here is yes.
Although operating systems like Windows 10 are more secure, they are not capable of protecting you against every threat. Fraudsters and cyber criminals are becoming increasingly smarter. So, you will need to continually invest in the latest software to keep your account secure.
The question is, how much virus protection do you need? Read on to find out what you need to know to ensure you have the right level of protection.
Are You Using the Device for Work or Leisure?
When trying to decide how much virus protection you’re going to need, it helps to consider whether you are using your computer for work or leisure. While protection is important in either case, the level of protection you need will differ.
If you’re using your computer for work for example, it’s vital you keep your business details secure. Fraudsters target businesses much more forcefully than personal users. So, you’re going to need a high-quality anti-virus program to protect a business system.
With computers that are only used for leisure purposes, you could potentially get away with using free virus protection software.
Utilizing Free Tools
There are a lot of free tools you can use to keep your computer protected. Windows comes with its own secure tool known as Windows Defender. In many cases, this could be enough security for personal computers. However, it doesn’t hurt to install more free protection.
Take a look online and you’ll find a huge range of free anti-virus software tools out there. Some of the best ones to consider include:
- Avira
- Sophos
- Panda
- Kaspersky
These are just a small selection of the free anti-virus tools you can use. While they won’t detect every single threat, they will protect you against the majority. Read as many reviews as you can as these will help you to determine which free solutions work better.
Focus on More Than Virus Protection
It isn’t just virus protection you need to worry about in terms of cyber security. Having good anti-virus software is the first step to keeping your system secure. However, you’ll also want to look at malware protection and VPN security.
Most modern anti-virus solutions also include malware protection. However, you may want to look out specifically for malware protection tools. Signing up to a VPN is also recommended as this shields your IP address. It helps to keep your system away from prying eyes.
Another thing to factor in is phishing. Anti-virus software won’t always protect you against phishing scams. These are typically emails with links that lead you to enter your information. The fraudsters then steal that information. So, avoid clicking on any links that haven’t come from a trusted source.
So, if you’re wondering how much virus protection you need, the answer is that it depends. However, the general takeaway should be that the more security you have, the better. While free programs are extremely useful, it is much better to invest in a paid anti-virus solution. These come with a lot more features and added protection.
