Stop Viruses From Infecting Your Computer – Part 4
Stopping viruses from infecting your computer should be easy, right? If you install a reputable virus scan or internet security software you may think that’s all there is to it, but in truth there are other aspects to keeping your computer safe. In this series, we’ll offer some advice on different ways to keep your online security strong and your information protected. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your internet security software running at peak efficiency.
Use an Antivirus/ Internet security
One of the best ways to protect yourself from viruses is and antivirus or internet security. Here at TECCS we would recomend internet security and a subscription based one for the best protection online. However if you can’t afford a paid subscription free protection is better than nothing at all.
So what are the differences between paid andf free protection
The main difference between the free and paid versions of antivirus is that the free version offers the most basic features and protection, whereas the paid versions have more advanced features that provide a more comprehensive protection for your computer or device. The actual list of included features on both versions differ company to company.
An antivirus is a type of software that protects the computer from malicious software. Malicious software includes threats like virus, Trojan, worm, malware, spyware, root kit infections, spyware, keyloggers, ransomware, adware, etc. Originally, antivirus scanned for only viruses in a computer; however, since then there has been a rapid increase in different types of viruses, as well as other malicious software such as Trojans, malware, spyware, etc.
In addition, some antivirus may also protect from other computer threats, such as infected and malicious URLs, spam, scam and phishing attacks, online identity (privacy), online banking attacks, social engineering techniques, Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), botnets, and DDoS attacks.
The main purpose of an antivirus is to prevent, detect and remove malicious software. In order to do this, the antivirus must scan the computer for any malicious software, notify the user in case of breach and remove the malware and patch the breach. However if it is the free version, it will probably only do some of these things.
There are four basic levels of antivirus products exist: free, paid antivirus, suites, and “premium” suites. The free antivirus typically gives the most basic features, and as you move up to paid antivirus, to suites, and premium suites, the amount of features included increase. The highest version of the antivirus can include features, such as identity theft protection, firewalls, parental controls, and system performance tools.
Comparison between Free and Paid Antivirus:
| Free Antivirus | Paid Antivirus | |
| Description | A type of Antivirus that is freely available. It mostly consists of basic features. | A type of Antivirus that one has to pay to use. The fee could be one time, annual, or monthly. It consists of more features than the free version. |
| Protection | Minimal Protection | Improved protection |
| Security Features | Only basic security features such as scanning for presence of viruses and notifying the user. The features may vary according to company. | More comprehensive security features such as identity theft protection, firewalls, parental controls, and system performance tools. |
| Data | Use when there is no critical data that needs additional protection and can make do with minimal protection. | Use if there is critical data on device, such as identity, banking information, business information – including client and service vendor data you store – anything that can result in damages (think legal damages), when compromised. |
| Advertisements | Often have some sort of advertisement for the company’s paid product. | Usually have no advertisement on the paid version. |
| Technical support | Lack of Technical Support | Technical Support |
| Customer support | Basic customer support | Better customer support |
So if you would like help with getting and installing a reputable antivirus or internet security and are based in the Doncaster area please get in touch.
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