Antivirus software will only get you so far in the world of cyber security, but that doesn’t make it pointless. In fact, antivirus software is not only recommended to stay secure but it’s necessary.
Without an effective antivirus in place, your system will become vulnerable to all sorts of cyber-attacks – from malware and ransomware to phishing and general hacking attempts.
On the other hand, there are a few tricks to utilizing antivirus software for maximum potential. While most people will know these tricks (and hopefully be implementing them already), some novice online users might not. So let’s get started . . .
Use Multiple Programs
First and foremost, you don’t want to limit yourself to one antivirus program. Most people will keep 2-3 programs on their computer. The point to doing this is one antivirus program might catch something that the other doesn’t. The fact of the matter is that no singular antivirus software is indestructible.
You will not find a sole program that detects every single malicious file, which is why it’s important to utilize a variety of them. A few popular antivirus programs include Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Immunet, and Norton.
Schedule Frequent Scans
Too many people will let their antivirus programs sit in the background until something fishy arises. Sometimes, by that point, it’s also already too late. This is why it’s important to set frequent virus scans.
The recommendation is scanning your computer every other day, but depending on how frequently (or infrequently) you use it, you can also consider daily or weekly scheduled scans.
Premium vs. Freemium
A debate of the century is on whether or not premium antivirus software is worth the purchase. Ultimately, it comes down to you and your willingness to spend money.
There are a large variety of effective and free antivirus programs out there, but some people feel more secure knowing they paid real money for their online security. To each their own.