Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
Why you Need Antivirus Software
How great is the internet? It’s an entire world that is connected by an invisible force. You can jump onto a high-quality video call with someone on the other side of the world in a matter of seconds. If you’re bored and have some free time you can launch your favorite streaming service and find just about any movie or TV show that you want to watch. And, if you’re feeling hungry, you can order Sushi right to your doorstep without even picking up the phone or changing out of your pyjamas.
However, the internet is not all sunshine and roses. There are some negatives to the worldwide web that connects each of us to these convenient and life-changing products and services. The biggest threat that your device faces daily is malicious software, also known as malware for short. This software is extremely dangerous and can pose a serious threat to your device, especially if you leave it unprotected.
If you want to ensure that your device remains secure and threat-free, you need to use some of the best antivirus software that is currently available on the market. If you’re unsure of what malware is, or how to find good antivirus software, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this devastating threat that is growing more and more dangerous every day.
The Threat of Malware
So, what exactly is meant by “malware”? Malware is a type of software that is used for malicious intent. It can manifest in a range of different shapes and sizes, but the most common ones that you have likely heard about in the past are viruses, spyware, and ransomware.
While these are the most common types of malware that exist, there are hundreds of others that you need to worry about! Within each category of malware, there are also different types, which cause endless possibilities in the threats that your devices face. For example, there are different types of viruses, some are harmless and exist only to cause the user frustration, whereas others can corrupt your device, leaving it completely useless.
Malware can make its way onto your device in several different ways. The most common way that your device might contract malware is through the internet. Cybercriminals will often use phishing scams in the form of fake emails, hidden links, or just camouflaged icons on websites. As soon as you click on one of these links it will prompt malware to be installed on your device without your knowledge.
What makes malware so dangerous is that it’s often hidden from the user. You never know when malware is being downloaded or installed on your device. Many forms of malware are also extremely difficult to detect once it’s on your device, so you might not even know about dangerous software being on your device while you’re using it.
Keeping Your Devices Secure
If you want to ensure that your devices come off scot-free from malware attacks, you’re going to need premium antivirus software. This software is a cybersecurity tool that has a built-in library of known viruses and other types of malware. The software will constantly scan your devices for any matching programs or codes, and if any harmful software has been detected and there’s a match with the antivirus software’s library, you will be notified.
The antivirus software can then take action to remove the malware before it causes any further damage. Oftentimes the best antivirus software can pick up malware and viruses before they can cause harm to your device, which is incredibly helpful and can save you a world of headaches.
It’s highly recommended to go with premium antivirus software because you get additional features that are extremely helpful to have available to you. One of the best premium features that you should look out for is the ability to scan emails, links, and websites for any potential phishing attacks.
Antivirus software is often updated with known phishing links, just like it has a library of known malware. This allows the software to learn about the latest trends in cybercrime, and the latest strategies that cybercriminals are using to attack innocent victims. Having this early warning system is a great safety net that will stop you from falling victim to any phishing scams.
Premium antivirus software is also ten times more effective than free antivirus software. If you’re using free antivirus software you will likely find that it’s going to slow down your device, you’re going to see a lot of ads, and it might only be active for a certain amount of time throughout the day — this leaves your device exposed to malware that can take action quickly.
Keeping Your Software up to Date
Once you’ve got the antivirus software installed on your device, you need to make sure that you’re always keeping it up to date. It’s not a set-and-forget type of software as many people might believe.
Software updates are critical to antivirus software, and they are sent out regularly. Cybercriminals are developing new malware and tactics every day, which means that antivirus software libraries need to be updated regularly as new forms of malware are discovered.
If you don’t keep your antivirus software up to date there is still a chance that you could fall victim to malware. It’s devastating too because you have essentially done everything right — making the decision to install premium antivirus software on your device, and being careful with the links and emails that you interact with. However, one small mistake can still lead to disaster.
You should always ensure that your antivirus software is set to update automatically when it is connected to WiFi. If the software can constantly check for updates and install them immediately, you will have the advantage of always being ahead of the curve. If you want to take it a step further, you can keep up to date with the latest news and updates for your particular antivirus software and make sure that you catch every update as soon as it releases.
