The internet now rules the world. Whether it’s smart phones, smart appliances, smart homes, self-driving cars, online shopping, posting pictures on social media, connecting with people from all over the world or even saving sensitive information on our computers – the World Wide Web has touched every aspect of our lives.
A Lack of Safety
The problem is that there are bad people out there, and they use their skills to undermine the security of the internet. They hack into our computers and networks and spread viruses so that they can take control of the information in our systems. Some of them do so just because they can.
Things are going from bad to worse. The World Health Organization and major news networks have reported a significant increase in cyber-attacks against government organizations as well as the general public in 2020 after the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Things have gotten so bad that the US and UK governments have issued warning about such cyber-attacks. And according to Compliance Week, the US is one of the most-targeted countries in the world.
The Necessity of Using Antivirus Software
Because the security of the internet has become increasingly compromised, it is important to use the right kind of antivirus software for your device. Any old antivirus software will not do the job. You need to choose the software that will suit your device the best.
Here are some of the criteria you should keep in mind when choosing your antivirus software:
- Compatibility with Other Software
The antivirus software you select needs to be compatible with the other software in your computer system. If it is not, it will not function properly, or even worse, it won’t work at all.
We need to remember that computers or devices with different operating systems work differently, and therefore you need to choose an antivirus version that will be compatible with the specific OS that your systems have.
- Ease of Use
Most of us are not tech savvy and use technology as a means to an end. If antivirus software is not easy to use or even difficult to install, then we may end up making mistakes which could lead to the software not working or working sub-optimally.
- Umbrella Protection
The antivirus software that we choose should give all around protection for our devices. This means that every point that connects us to the internet should be protected, be it our social media platforms, our emails, the cloud or even general surfing.
This software should also be able to identify all types of malicious codes and prevent them from entering our computer systems. And if they have entered your computer systems, your antivirus software should be able to remove them effectively so that your cyber security is protected.
This is an especially important point because there are new types of viruses being created every single day, many of which are designed to circumvent antivirus programs.
Doing Our Bit
Because of the ever changing and constantly increasing threats from viruses, the antivirus software you choose should offer frequent updates. There are many of us who keep postponing updates, but that is a bad idea.
It is our responsibility to ensure that antivirus software we are suing is regularly updated so that your computer systems, your money and even your digital identity is kept safe in an age where online attacks are becoming increasingly common.
Doing Your Research
Before you finally settle on a specific kind of antivirus software, it is best to read not just customer reviews, but also experts’ reviews about the product. While there are users who are extremely knowledgeable about such products, it is best also to get an expert’s opinion.
For example, you may find a lot of reviews about an antivirus software called Bitdefender. While you will find many reviews about this company’s antivirus products online, according to the Bitdefender antivirus review by Joseph Steinberg, this is a really good product.
Why we are giving this example is because Joseph Steinberg is one of the world’s leading Cyber Security advisors. His advice is followed by millions of people around the globe, so getting his opinion – or others like him – would be a more reliable source of feedback about an antivirus product that a customer’s review.
Creating a Safer Digital Environment
Thanks to the massive pandemic that has engulfed the world many of us have been forced to work from home. A larger number of people than ever before are shopping online, not just for luxuries, but also for their basic necessities like groceries and medicines. And because of this, more people are now vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Therefore, if you wish to create a safer digital environment that will protect you, your family and your work or business, a good quality antivirus software is a must.