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Antivirus

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

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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.

Cyber Security

Why Antivirus Alone Won’t Protect Your PCs In 2020

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There was a time when personal computers would ship with only antivirus software.

However, in recent years, more personal computer OEMs have banded up with third-party security solution providers to keep their customers safer. This is a fine time to re-examine the threats faced by the current, average user – and what to do about that.

The PC Security Landscape

Perhaps the biggest issue that we will keep solving for a long time to come is that of password security. The fact that this is a user-generated error during data breaches makes the influence that OEMs can wield to curb such issues even weaker.

That does not mean they will take the matter lying down, though.

A recent password breach report shows that users are still setting weak passwords. Most of these passwords will only take seconds to be hacked by sophisticated software. The worst part is that many users reuse the same passwords for multiple accounts. Thus, a breach to one account is like a breach to many.

To combat that, we have seen the inclusion of password managers like LastPass in some PCs. Besides helping to generate strong passwords that will take several years to hack, these password managers also support using one password for one account.
After all, users do not have to worry about password fatigue anymore.

Following that are the incessant cases of data breaches perpetrated via unencrypted networks. Considering the sheer amount of data that users send over their networks over time, it becomes important to secure these networks.

Many users opt for a VPN app for increased protection. A VPN ships with a ton of servers from all around the world. Internet data is sent through these servers , preventing anyone on the outside of the network from seeing what is going on. Tunneling is so effective, even the user’s ISP will have no idea what they are doing on the network.

That said, the place of antivirus software should not be ruled out either.

Depending on the antivirus or antimalware definitions, they help prevent a wide variety of threats that users might not even know existed at all. They are also important for people who have to connect a lot of external devices to their PC, download files from the internet, etc.

Antivirus software has been developed so well these days that they integrate well with browser apps, emailing programs, and other sensitive points of data entry. Before downloading any file onto your device, they automatically scan and inform you of the danger.

That can help beat a lot of malware attacks and phishing scams too.

Wrap Up

Even with these tools in the mix, a lot of responsibility lies on the user to follow best practices. A password manager will not work if proper password habits are not followed. In the same way, a VPN is useless if it is not employed for the network.

When the user is aware of the dangers and how the tools can help them, though, hackers are given a better run for their money.

Antivirus

Antivirus Protection Overview: How do These Programs Work? What Kinds of Security Features are Ideal?

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Are you trying to find the best antivirus protection for Windows or Mac? There are many options out there and they are not all equal. Having an antivirus on a computer is something that has always been considered essential for Windows users, and is now starting to become important for Mac users as Apple products are becoming more popular. No matter what kind of computer you own, and whether it’s a desktop or laptop, you should have a quality security program. There are even antivirus apps for smartphones and tablets these days.

Having protection from viruses minimizes the amount of “damage control” you have to do to clean up a mess caused by malware attack. It can also prevent you from having to pay money for ransomware. Don’t forget about phishing – there are still cyber criminals doing everything they can to scam people and profiting.

Virus scanners are obviously things to look for when choosing the right AV program. Reactive scanning is important because it scans new programs or files before they are opened. There is also the full system scan, when the AV goes through every last file and folder on your device in order to find anything suspicious and potentially harmful.

Of course, scans cannot be truly effective if the program doesn’t even know what it is looking for. This is why any antivirus you consider should come with a database of known viruses and threats, and that database should be updated frequently with the newest threat definitions. Updates should be automatic as well – you should never have to manually update your antivirus protection software (although it’s still good to have the option of scheduling updates).

Antivirus Protection by Behavioral Analysis

Some of the superior programs have “behavioral analysis” technology. This means that it will detect suspicious behavior from files even if the file isn’t found in its database. While this is a good thing for the most part, there is the downside of false positives. You don’t want your antivirus confusing genuine programs as malware and trying to block it from you. So when reading reviews and making comparisons, try to find out if a particular program has issues with false positives.

A few other things to look for with an antivirus suite include ransomware protection, a file shredder, firewall, browser protection, and a password manager. Some premium security suites also include a VPN service and parental controls.

Whatever it is you’re looking for exactly, Avast Antivirus protection is always a great choice. You can download it for free on Windows, although you might want to consider upgrading to the premium version.

Antivirus

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

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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.

Antivirus

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

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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

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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.

Antivirus

Best Computer Virus Cleaner: Features to Look for in an Antivirus Program for Cleaning Your PC

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No matter what kind of computer you have, you’re going to want to protect it as much as possible from all forms of malicious software, files, websites, etc. If it connects to the internet, it is going to be susceptible to viruses and phishing scams. Even Macs aren’t as secure as they used to be. While there are “free” antivirus” tools, they can only do so much. To truly get rid of a virus, you’ll have to upgrade. The best computer virus cleaner is one that will not only help eliminate or quarantine any existing infected files, but will prevent you from getting any more in the future.

Some “crimeware” is deeply embedded in your system and very difficult to detect. This is why it’s important to learn the detection rates of virus cleaners, which can be done by reading test results from various labs. Only consider using antivirus software that has a detection rate of at least 96%, with little to no false positives, which can be very annoying.

Malware can be described as any kind of malicious software that tries to infect a device or computer connected to the internet. Hackers try and use malware for a number of reasons, usually for some type of personal gain. They will try to spy on you, try and steal your money, obtain your password ands and financial information, hold your files hostage and demand “ransom”. Ransomware is one of the most difficult forms of viruses, and can cost people and businesses a lot of money.

Best Computer Virus Cleaner for Malware and Frauds

With the best computer virus cleaner, you won’t have to worry about being a victim of any kind of malware attack or fraud. You won’t even have to do any manual updates if you choose the right program, as the leading virus cleaning software is programmed to update itself automatically with the latest definitions of malware and the required tools to detect and eliminate the malware should it find its way to your computer.

While it’s essential that you choose a virus cleaner that has aggressive scanning technology, it should not be so aggressive that it slows your computer down. The ideal antivirus program will run quietly in the background when you are doing things like streaming videos, watching movies, playing games, etc. In the event that it mistakes a legitimate program for being malicious and tries to mark it for removal, you should have the option to undo the results of a scan.

The one best computer virus cleaner that you can really count on, that offers the best features and has a high detection rate is Norton Power Eraser. It’s one of the best “Rescue Tools” offered by this leading cyber security company. Consider trying Norton Security (by Symantec), which is available as a 30 day free trial.

Antivirus

Antivirus for Android Phone: Tips on Finding and Using the Best Security Tools for Android Devices

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People often get anti-viruses for their computers but forget about their Android phones and tablets. They are vulnerable to many types of malicious files and scams as well these days. Hackers and cyber criminals are going to do everything they can to get into any device that has the internet. The important thing to do is to decide whether you want a standalone antivirus for Android phone or a security suite that offers a protection plan for all of your devices and computers.

A free antivirus app might be enough, just as long you are always super careful and play it safe with everything you do. You could just have a free app just for precaution. However, if you think you need other security tools, like a password manager, VPN, malware detector, etc., then it’d probably be best to invest in a security suite.

Usability is also important, as it is with any kind of app or program. There is more room for “tinkering” when it comes to desktop anti-viruses. For mobile devices, that isn’t really necessary, so the app you choose should be as simple as possible. If you have an older version of a smartphone, make sure the antivirus for Android phone is compatible with it and won’t bog the device down, whether you’re doing an active scan with it or just allowing it to run in the background.

Ratings of Antivirus for Android Phone

Another thing to look at is the number of reviews and the overall rating. A high number of reviews and an overall 4+ / 5 rating indicates that the developer must be doing something right. Take the time to read some reviews to see if people are praising things like speed, intuitiveness of the interface, the app’s ability to detect and remove malware and adware, and so forth.

Will the anti-virus program you are considering offer Android-specific features, such as filtering for texts and calls? Will you be warned about messages that could potentially be malicious? There should also be anti-phishing tools. After all, most people make purchases here and there via their smartphone, so it makes sense to protect your financial information as secure as possible and to make sure that you don’t fall for any phishing scams.

Lastly, anti-theft protection is essential as well. You should opt for an Android security app that allows you to wipe personal information from the device if it is ever stolen or lost.

The first antivirus or Android phone you might want to try is Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus (AppLock & Web Security). It’s free to download and use, and comes with tons of positive reviews.

Antivirus

Good Antivirus for Windows 7: How to Choose Internet Protection Software for a Windows 7 PC

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There are still a lot of people who use Windows 7, either because they are unable to upgrade to 10 or because they prefer 7. Either way, it’s good to know that there are still some antivirus programs that work with 7. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money, since some of the top names in the computer security industry offer a good antivirus for Windows 7 at a very affordable price.

There are free versions of security programs, but they are very limited and usually come with ads. It’s better to take advantage of a free trial of a paid program and then decide whether or not it is worth paying for when the free trial period is up. If you want to try another one, make sure you uninstall the first program and get rid of all traces of it on your PC.

Whichever program you choose, make sure it has features like a software updater. Outdated software is a huge potential risk on computers as it can leave the system vulnerable. Hackers always figure out a way to get through unpatched vulnerabilities. A good antivirus for Windows 7 will also update itself regularly and automatically so that users won’t have to.

Good Antivirus for Windows 7 for Just One PC

If you only need protection for one Windows 7 PC then you can save money, since most security programs offer a cheaper subscription price for those who don’t require protection on multiple devices. If you do need that, however, you still might be able to find a good deal with coupons and promo codes.

Another thing for which you might want protection is spoofed websites and phishing scams. They are become increasingly sophisticated. Even those who know how to identify legitimate sites from fake ones are having to be extra careful. Look for an antivirus program that will automatically redirect you to secure sites, and block spoofed sites from ever being loaded on your computer. Just to ensure that it doesn’t mistakenly block a site that you know is legit, read reviews to see if there are a lot of complaints about false positives. If so, consider using another antivirus program.

You’ll obviously want protection in real time from all types of threats, including spyware, viruses, ransomware, and other threats, as well as prevention tools.

If you really want a good antivirus for Windows 7, then start with Avast Antivirus Pro or Avast Premium Security. These products are very affordable and easy to use.

Antivirus

Good Virus Protection Guide – Top 4 Products to Consider Buying

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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.