Antivirus

Top Antivirus for PC: Current Threats, What is an Antivirus, and How It Helps

The PC is an essential part of business and personal life in the modern days. Sadly, it is also a prime target for hackers looking to steal your information or compromise your system with malware. To protect yourself against these threats, you need antivirus software on your machine. The top antivirus for PC will protect you and your system from most current threats.

Current Threats on Computer Systems

Hackers are always on the prowl for new ways to steal your information. In this digital age, it is now easier than ever before for them to reach their goal through different avenues of attack. Some common threats include:

  • Malware that can infect a system and cause problems with stability or security.
  • Viruses that introduce themselves into systems to extract data from hard drives or corrupt files.
  • Spyware which hackers can use to monitor keystrokes, emails, and web browsing histories without permission.

In addition to these current threats, there’s also ransomware – malicious software designed specifically as an extortion tool against victims. It may take over computers until the victim pays ransom money (usually around $300, paid in untraceable virtual currencies).

What is an Antivirus and Why It’s Essential

An antivirus is a type of software that can scan your computer for threats. It may be automatic protection against malicious programs or installed to check any new contacts with the system (for instance, via USB device). Antiviruses are essential because they give you peace of mind and prevent damage from occurring to your information – on top of preventing malware infections, spyware, and ransomware attacks. They may come pre-installed on laptops by hardware manufacturers or retailers. Still, free versions exist, which allow users additional control over their security settings.

Antivirus software is vital protection for PCs. It monitors and detects potential attacks on a computer, such as viruses or spyware that can steal your personal information.

To protect against ransomware, experts recommend using an antivirus to backup data periodically in case of attack, use good password management practices and enable two-factor authentication if available. Also, install security updates from manufacturers when possible because these often include fixes for known exploits before they become public knowledge.

Some standard features you may find are virus scanning, phishing detection, spam filtering, anti-malware (protects computers from malware), internet filter controls (limits access based on content ratings), and more.

Top Antivirus for PC: Paid vs. Free

When considering an antivirus solution, experts highly recommend considering a paid antivirus. On the other hand, a free antivirus may be sufficient for a device with limited use and less critical data. Still, experts advise users on more sensitive devices to invest in an upgrade.

The top paid antivirus programs are Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, Avast, and Bitdefender. These are all reputable, experienced antivirus companies with excellent protection.

Some free antiviruses offer adequate features for most users. Some of these include Avira and AVG.

As long as users are appropriately cautious about what they download to their computer, such an antivirus solution may be sufficient on a device without sensitive data or critical usage. However, when data is susceptible, experts recommend a paid antivirus.

If you’re in the market for a top antivirus for PC, it’s essential to understand all of your options. You should consider how much time and money you are willing to spend on antivirus and what features are most important to you. For example, suppose you want malware protection that doesn’t slow down your computer or drain its battery life. In that case, Bitdefender is worth considering because they have both these qualities at no cost.

Antivirus

Best Antivirus 2019: Guide to Evaluating Computer Security Programs and Picking the Right One

It’s almost hard to believe that 2019 is nearing an end, and yet the fight against cyber crime and viruses still goes on, and probably always will. As technology evolves, so do the cyber criminals and thieves. These days they are doing all they can to trick people into giving out their financial details via phishing scams or hold their files as “ransom” until they pay the money. What can be considered as the best antivirus 2019 to help protect people and PCs from such scams and attacks?

To get the best protection possible, you’ll need to choose a security suite that provides all-round protection against current and emerging cyber threats. If you’re a home user, then you probably won’t need business-level protection. If you run a small business, you likely won’t need enterprise-level security. Just look for a solution that best suits your personal needs.

Be careful when trying out antivirus software. Never have more than one installed on your PC or tablet at the same time. This is because their technologies will have conflicts with each other, which could lead to some annoying issues with your computer. If you try out one security suite and don’t like it, uninstall it completely and make sure no traces remain before downloading and installing another program.

Another important consideration when choosing the best antivirus in 2019 is on-demand malware scanning capabilities. Get monitoring in real-time, with the option to run manual vulnerability scans, so that you can always be in control of what is going on with your data.

Best Antivirus 2019 With Up-to-Date Protection

ALWAYS look for up-to-date antivirus testing details and results online. Some independent testing organizations to look into include AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST, Virus Bulletin, and West Coast Labs. Pay close attention to things like detection rates, false positives, and malware removal capabilities. The higher the real-time detection and removal rates and the lower the false positive rates, the better.

The independent labs typically run their tests quarterly and score each program on detection and even give out awards to companies that have a 99%+ detection rate. This industry is always-changing, and each results with each lab can sometimes vary a bit. Look over current results as well as past results and select the antivirus program that has been the most consistent across the different labs in terms of awards and high-detections.

That being said, what IS the best antivirus 2019 software? Bitdefender Antivirus 2019 is a safe choice as it usually performs very well in tests. You can give Bitdefender 2019 free version a try or go ahead and opt for Bitdefender Plus 2020.

Parental Control

Parental Software for Windows: Advice on Selecting the Best Parental Control Suite for Your Home Computers

While Windows 10 does offer a lot of parental control filters and tools, some older kids might figure out a way to get around them. Kids are very smart when it comes to technology. The only way to ensure that inappropriate content is truly blocked and that your children won’t be able to view anything they shouldn’t be seeing, is to buy some really good parental software for Windows.

What should you look for in parental control programs? One highly essential feature is the ability to filter out keywords. You can enable or disable specific keywords and websites associated with those keywords. However, the software should be intelligent enough to understand the difference between those specific keywords and certain phrases or words that contain some of the same letters. For instance, the classic novel “Middlesex” could be misunderstood as inappropriate by some software packages.

lt’s also important to pay attention to age-specific filtering and settings. What might be inappropriate for a 7 year old isn’t going to be inappropriate for a 17 year old. The younger the child, the less access to the internet they should receive, and the more filters you’ll have to put up. What if you have more than one child with some years and maturity levels apart? There is some great parental software for Windows that allows parents to create separate profiles for each child. If you have older kids with their own personal laptops or tablets, install a copy of the program on their laptop and everything should sync.

Scheduling Options With Parental Software for Windows

Schedule is an important feature for parents who are concerned about how much time their kids are spending on the computer. If it’s for homework and research, that’s okay. But what if they waste all their time playing games or watching entertainment videos on YouTube? Or chat on social media too much? You can control that by setting up a schedule for them. You can allow them to have free internet time as a reward for good behavior.

If you’ve never used parental software for Windows before, then look for a program that has an intuitive user interface. It shouldn’t be TOO easy to figure out, since you don’t want your kids to try and get around it, but you don’t want it to be too difficult for the average parent to use, either.

There are other security tools you might want to use to protect your family computers as well, such as a router / Wi-Fi inspector, anti-fraud protection, anti-virus and anti-malware, and so forth. The best parental software for Windows can be found with Bitdefender Family Pack, which can be used on up to 15 family devices, including Windows, Macs, iOs devices, Android devices, and so forth.

Antivirus

Best Antivirus for Laptop Guide: Top 5 Contenders for 2019 – 2020

A lot of people these days have the attitude of “I don’t need an antivirus program”, or “a free malware removal tool is enough for my computer”. Unfortunately, free antivirus / anti-malware tools aren’t enough these days. Unless you hardly do anything at all on your laptop, then you’re susceptible for hacking attempts and infected files. Don’t let yourself become a victim – start looking for the best antivirus for laptop users.

You might not even become the victim of a regular antivirus infection. Computer viruses have evolved to something that involves money. Hackers want to infect your laptop so they can try to steal your identity, steal your money from your bank or PayPal account, or make your important documents impossible to access unless you pay ransomware. To prevent any of this from ever occurring, you’re going to need a quality security suite.

What is the best antivirus for laptop? Here are the top options:

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

With this software, users get multi-layered antivirus protection that keeps them safe from the threats targeting Windows laptops. There is also a version available for Mac users. Bitdefender 2020 is a highly intuitive and user-friendly interface that even beginners can figure out and personalize according to their needs.

Malwarebytes Premium

You’ve probably heard of Malwarebytes, as it is often the most recommended malware removal tool for Windows. However, the free version can only eliminate some existing infections. Take the security to a much higher level by upgrading to Malwarebytes Premium. Its brand new detection engine is capable of finding all types of new threats with less performance impact.

Norton Antivirus Plus

It’s easy to upgrade to the Plus version of Norton Antivirus, and you can opt for monthly or yearling payments. Get real-time threat protection and advanced security tools to protect everything from personal files to financial information. Norton by Symantec has been an award-winning antivirus program for decades.

Kaspersky Internet Security

Not only is it one of the best antivirus for laptop programs, Kaspersky Internet Security offers other useful security tools as well, such as privacy / webcam protection. In addition to Windows protection, security for smartphones and tablets is included in a subscription.

Avast Antivirus

If you want to try the best “free” antivirus possible for the time being, before investing in a security suite, then Avast Free is probably your best choice. This Antivirus program won the 2018 “Product of the Year” award by AV-Comparatives.

Any one of these 5 products can pass as the “best antivirus for laptop”, including Windows and Mac. At this site, you will find Norton coupons, Bitdefender discounts, and plenty of other promo codes for computer security software.

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Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Review: All of the Reasons Why Mac Users Should Get Bitdefender for Virus Protection

Bitdefender security products aren’t just for Windows PCs, they run efficiently on Macs as well. This company has really earned its name in the industry – especially when it comes to malware detection. If you don’t think you’ll need a full suite of security tools, then Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac will most likely be enough. For now, Macs still aren’t as vulnerable to some of the threats Windows PCs commonly face, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future, and the good thing about Bitdefender software is that it’s easy to upgrade down the road if you want more.

There are many benefits noted in the reviews for this antivirus:

• It’s perfect for malware detection and has an extremely high rate
• Has a user-friendly, clean design
• Has very little system impact
• Is good putting dangerous files into quarantine
• Always updates before a scan with the latest virus signatures

What Does Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Include?

Bitdefender’s antivirus has a passive system-scanning that is so low-impact that most Mac users won’t even realize it’s working in the background. It is a top-tier security solution. Even if you have an older model, such as a 2017 MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 processor, for example, the scan time will still be fast and you’ll probably barely notice it if at all. The active scans will not be as quiet and fast, but still won’t take any more than a few minutes.

The interface for Bitdefender antivirus for Mac allows the user to see the status and perform certain actions with just a few clicks. From the home screen, you can see “recommended actions”, “status”, as well as other options. There are different scans to choose from, including Deep Scan, Critical Location Scan, and Custom Location Scan.

With a Deep System Scan, the antivirus searches for malware in all files and folders, including those in archives. Whenever you need to open up a .zip or a .rar file type, this scanner will search for anything malicious or suspicious, and will have an extremely high detection rate. Bitdefender also does a good job at NOT making false positives, which is a problem with some other antivirus software. It can be very annoying when a security program tries to block your access from other programs or software that it mistakenly identifies as “suspicious”, even though you know exactly what it is. This isn’t something to worry about with Bitdefender.

There are different subscriptions and pricing options. You can try Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac by itself or buy a full security suite. You can also choose a subscription option that includes the antivirus for not only the Mac but iOS, Android, and Windows as well.

Password Manager

Internet Password Manager Info: Understanding This Type of Service and What You Can Expect From Such Tools

You really shouldn’t re-use the same password over and over again, or similar variations of a password across all of your accounts. Nobody likes the idea of using a complicated password for each individual account, but that’s precisely what you’ll need these days in order to stay as secure as possible. Luckily, you can use an internet password manager to make the process easier and to save all passwords so that you won’t have to try and remember them.

There are password managers that are compatible with all types of devices and computers, so you can use the same product that will sync across all of your devices instead of installing a bunch of different apps. While there are free tools that offer to save your passwords and auto-fill details, it’s best to stick with just one that will store all of your accounts in a digital “wallet” or “vault”, which you can access on any smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Another reason why you might want to stick with a single solution is that password manager software can also secure essential online information like three-digit CVV codes, credit card numbers, answers to security questions, addresses, and so forth. As long as you choose a good internet password manager, you can count on all of this information to be protected with superior encryption technology. Not even the company that offers the service will be able to view anything.

Internet Password Manager Ease of Use

There are many password management services, and some of them are easier to use than others. If you’ve never used this kind of software before, choose one that is user-friendly. The process of creating a cyber “vault” in which you’ll store all of the passwords and other info should be as simple and straightforward as possible. There shouldn’t be any difficulty in syncing the accounts on any new computer or mobile device you buy. Just install the app or login to the website to access all of the details, or create a new wallet or import an existing database.

Whichever browser you use, you should be able to install an internet password manager. Some services will even allow you to remove to remove the “wallet” from certain browsers and use it with others.

How can you tell which service is the best? Which one is easy to use? Bitdefender offers a good internet password manager service, which is one of the tools included in its antivirus. Try Bitdefender Wallet today to see if it’s everything you’re looking for.

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Bitdefender Total Security for Mac Review: Why Macs do Need Protection and Why This Software is the Best

Bitdefender always offers top-of-the line-line security products for all computer users. Some products are even available for mobile devices. Even if you have an Apple computer, you can still get the same level of protection – all you need to do is make sure your subscription includes Bitdefender Total Security for Mac. Macs really are somewhat vulnerable to malicious files and hacking, despite any misconceptions you might have heard.

Malware is starting to specifically target Macs, despite years of primarily targeting Windows. According to security research conducted from AV-Test, an independent virus research institute, the number of threatening programs with malware and other malicious files targeting macOS has nearly tripled in recent years. It’s still comparatively low compared to Windows malware, but that doesn’t mean your iPhone, iPad, iMac, or MacBook are safe. It’s best to have as much protection as possible, and Bitdefender is the company to rely upon.

Windows have become more secure over the years as security and antivirus products have become a lot more advanced. Now, since Apple products have become so popular and Mac computers are becoming more mainstream, cybercriminals are starting to develop better ways to target them.

The Total Security Suite can be used on multiple devices. Depending on your subscription, you can secure 5 – 10 devices, which includes Mac computers and Apple devices, as well as Windows and Android.

Features of Bitdefender Total Security for Mac

Another benefit of investing in Bitdefender Total Security for Mac is that it comes with additional features and services that can really come in handy, such as a secure VPN solution for complete online privacy as well as advanced parental controls to help ensure that your kids are kept safe online.

In short, Bitdefender’s multi-layered protection will keep your pictures, documents, videos, work information, and everything else safe from all known threats as well as those emerging on a regular basis.

One particular feature for MacOS users, is “Time Machine Protection”. This helps back up files and offers an extra security layer to keep you safe from sophisticated ransomware attacks. This complex future allows Mac users to restore their files so they won’t have to pay ransom. This kind of protection will give you an edge against any malware that might attempt to encrypt or even destroy your backups.

A few other useful features of Bitdefender Total Security for Mac include anti-phishing tools, adware blocking and removal, anti-tracker, autopilot mode, and ultra-fast scanning. The Safe Files service allows users to prevent any unauthorized changes to their most important files. All you have to do is add folders to the “Watch List and Bitdefender will guard them for you against malware and ransomware.

Antivirus

Good Virus Protection Guide – Top 4 Products to Consider Buying

There are literally dozens of antivirus products out there, some of which are free and some will cost you money. While “free” always sounds good, it’s not necessarily the best option when it comes to good virus protection for computers and smart devices. Instead of trying to use a free program, why not just take advantage of free trial offers of the better products before deciding whether it would be worth it to go through with the subscription?

To help you get started, here are a few products offered by the leading companies and products to consider:

Norton Antivirus Plus

If there is one name in the computer security industry you’ve probably heard of it is Norton by Symantec. The plus version of the antivirus software includes innovative security technology that is powered by AI and machine learning. It is also backed by the world’s biggest civilian virtual threat intelligence network. You can get a “smart firewall”, real time detection for all threats (viruses, malware, ransomware, and more), and a money back guarantee.

Kaspersky Antivirus 2020

Another name synonymous with “good virus protection” is Kaspersky. Its new antivirus 2020 software already has tons of positive reviews. It blocks everything from ransomware to crypto-lockers. In independent testing reviews, Kaspersky software usually gets very high ratings for its performance and detection rate. There is introductory discount pricing for new customers.

Bitdefender 2020

One of the things for which Bitdefender is primarily known is its free antivirus, which is vastly superior to most other free antivirus software out there. However, you’ll still want to upgrade to the Pro version in order to get more benefits. The Bitdefender platform consists of all anti-virus products and services that ensure privacy and security for customers of all needs, sizes, and devices. You can expect automatic updates so that you’ll never miss out on new and improved technologies and features, even if you’re already well into your subscription period.

Avast Premium Security

Not only can you expect good virus protection from Avast (paid), you get complete online protection from all threats for your computers, tablets, and smartphones. It’s available to try for free on a PC, and you can purchase a subscription for one Windows PC, one Mac, or multiple devices.

Take your time to research these companies a bit more and read some reviews and test results from independent labs. No matter which one you pick, you can count on getting good virus protection.

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Bitdefender Antivirus Price Guide: A Look at the Discount Price and Full Price of Bitdefender Security Products

The cost of this antivirus depends on a number of factors, including the type of subscription you select, the number of devices you want to use it on, and any additional features you want to add. The good news about Bitdefender Antivirus price (for the 2020 edition) is that it’s always affordable compared to many other antivirus programs out there. There is also a free version available, although most people still want the full benefits of a paid subscription. You can even download a 30-day free trial of the full antivirus if you want to try it out before purchasing a subscription.

The average price you would be expected to pay for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020 is around $39.99 – $59.99, depending on the number of devices (usually 3) for the first year. With Bitdefender discounts or coupons, you would be looking to pay at the lower end of that range. With this subscription, you will get Windows protection, automatic upgrades and updates, and free online support – all year long. For a two-year subscription, the discount price (3 devices) is $62.99, and for a 3-year subscription, the discount price for 3 devices is $83.99. The full price would be around $120.

Bitdefender Internet Security 2020 comes with a lot more security for home users than the antivirus. For 3 devices, the cost for this for the first year would be around $44.99 – $79.99, depending on whether any discounts are available. Once again, wait until it is on sale at the $44.99 price before making the purchase.

Bitdefender Antivirus Price for Total Security Packages

Total Security 2020, which is the most complete, all-inclusive security suite available, can also be as low as $44.99 for the first year if you are lucky enough to get a hold of a Bitdefender discount, or as high as $89.99 for the first year (up to 5 devices). It comes with protection for Mac computers, Android devices, and iOS devices as well.

As mentioned above, there are additional services you can select with your purchase, such as a VPN service, which will increase the overall price. The VPN service price is for an entire year.

For the typical home user, the Bitdefender Antivirus price is the most important thing to consider since they really don’t need all of the extra protection on other devices, but still want more than just the basics that come with the free version of antivirus.

Whichever version you choose, you can expect a user-friendly interface. This software is very easy to use. You can always expect good customer support, regardless of which Bitdefender Antivirus price you wind up paying.

Internet Security and Ransomware

Home PC Security: Guide to the Most Important Features Offered by the Best Antivirus Suites for the Home

Computer threats and cyber crime have evolved considerably over the past 30 years. It is now more important than ever before to invest in sophisticated home PC security. A basic, free antivirus program is no longer a good option for the vast majority of home PC users. It’s worth upgrading to a paid version, even for no other reason than to get rid of the ads and annoying plug-ins the free stuff comes bloated with. These days, the best home PC security will cost a bit of money, but it will potentially save you a lot of money in the long run as it keeps you safe from all types of hacking and fraud attempts.

A form of Advanced Threat Defense is good to have – especially if you have people in your household who like to try out new programs all the time. This kind of security feature places behavioral analysis on all system applications. If any of the programs start to act strangely and tries to gain some control over your computer, it will be stopped. However, to help prevent false positives, you should be given the option to add trusted programs to the “white list”.

The system scanning process should be thorough, yet fast. Some people don’t bother performing system scans with their anti-virus programs as often as they should due to the length of time it usually takes. People with older PCs in their homes have to wait even longer since certain programs take up too much of their system resources.

Home PC Security Clients Needed

When selecting home PC security, make sure that all of the computers you want it for meet (or ideally exceed) the minimum system requirements mentioned on the vendor’s website. Also, read reviews about a particular security program to see if there is a high number of complaints about its speed.

Don’t forget about any Macs in your home. While it’s true they are a lot less likely to become infected than Windows PCs, that doesn’t mean they are completely, 100% hack-proof or virus-proof. If your home network ever becomes compromised, or if an infected file from a Windows PC gets transferred over to the Mac computer, the latter can still become hacked or infected. Look for a home security suite that will protect the entire network and not just one PC.

While not everyone will agree on just one “perfect anti-virus”, you can always count on Bitdefender products to provide excellent home PC security. It’s definitely worth taking the time to check for Bitdefender 2020 coupons and going ahead and ordering a good security package right now.