Always look for monthly test results by the independent test labs such as AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST to evaluate which personal PC security software is performing the best, and has the highest detection rate. While some free antivirus programs are okay and do a sufficient job, they aren’t necessarily the best solution for most people. To truly get all the protection you need, it’s better to look for paid solutions with superior features and security tools.
When it comes to PC security, not all programs are going to run smoothly – especially on older machines. For this reason, it’s recommended that you read about the minimum system requirements for each cyber security solution, as well as comments from other users to see if there are any complaints about a particular product using up too many resources and causing the system to slow down.
The ease of use is important as well. Not everyone is highly knowledgeable when it regards personal PC security. The interface should be as user-friendly as possible for less-experienced users, yet still flexible enough that more experienced users can have some level of control over the settings and configurations.
Personal PC Security Requirements
You may or may not need more than the antivirus and firewall. If you only use your PC for personal reasons then you likely won’t need to buy a total security internet suite. Some of them come with extra features and tools that are not essential for a lot of users: parental control, webcam protection, Wi-Fi inspection, VPN, and so forth. Typically, the security companies will have a comparison table showing what is and what is not included with each product. Go down the list and choose the product that offers only what you need.
Email and web protection tools are always worth having. This antivirus software will automatically check websites as soon as you visit them and scan email attachments before you open them. It will help protect you from phishing emails too, although you can learn how to identify those on your own and not fall for them.
As mentioned above, read independent test results to find the detection rate. Pick a software solution that will have a malware detection rate of at least 95%. At the same time, it should NOT have a problem with false positives. The malware it detects should be legitimate and not a benign file that is mistakenly flagged.
Home users can get started with a personal PC security program like Avast Free Antivirus. If you like it, then consider upgrading to Avast Internet Security to get all of the best, premium features.