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Antivirus Software: How to Choose the Right Protection for Your Android, Mac or Windows System
Tempo: Jan. 23, 2020Whether your computer or device runs Android, Mac or Windows, cybercriminals have
sophisticated attacks to target machines across operating systems (OS). It's important to
choose antivirus software that's designed for your OS and tailored to your computing behaviors.
Not all antivirus software is created equal, so there are many factors to consider. There's
nothing worse than perusing the Internet only to have your computer slow to a crawl as your
antivirus software "thinks" about your decisions. If the software happens to detect a problem,
is it going to fix it without making you take 20 complicated steps?
Poorly designed antivirus software can be as useless as a bike without wheels. The last things
you want to deal with when your information is at stake are errors, crashes and botched attempts
to protect against cybersecurity threats. Here's a guide to choosing antivirus software, including
common pitfalls and recommendations.
Consider Software with a Light System Load
With antivirus software running in your computer's background all the time, it's important
that it performs efficiently. Effective products are capable of scanning during a variety of tasks,
including:
·File copying
·Archiving and unarchiving
·Installing/uninstalling applications
·Launching applications
·Downloading files
·Browsing websites
Not all security software performs perfectly across testcases. However, you'll notice some
programs are more efficient at certain tasks than others. Pick software with features that are
tailored to the type of computing you're most commonly doing.
In addition, consider choosing a comprehensive package that you can customize to suit your
needs later on, should they change. Even if you think you might not need a certain feature now,
it may become helpful in the future.
Choose an Antivirus Program That's Easy to Use
One way to open yourself up to attacks and vulnerabilities is to purchase antivirus software and
turn it off because it's too complicated to use. Worse yet, people often let the programs run but
fail to keep them updated with the latest software releases.
Most people aren't cybersecurity professionals, let alone well-versed in the inner workings of
antivirus programs and settings. You don't necessarily need a program to setup firewalls or run
side programs that take up half of the average computer's computing resources. It depends on the
type of computing you do and if you keep sensitive data on your machine, like patient records or
corporate finance documents.
The basic features you'll want automated for you include software that updates, patches and re-configures
on the fly without your intervention. Another bonus is a program with a nice user interface so you can quickly
determine if a threat's been detected and remediated.
Customer support is an important component of increasing a program's usability, too. People often
choose free software and, when they run into issues later on, don't have access to assistance that helps
them solve their problems.
Even if you aren't well-versed in using antivirus programs, having access to competent customer support
teams can help you get the most from the software. You'll have more peace of mind and confidence that
your system is well-protected, too.
Figure Out What Works in Detecting and Removing Malware
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, so it's impossible to rely on antivirus software to
protect your computer against every piece of malware, spyware or adware. But some
tools are better than others. The threat detection and remediation of products also varies
across operating systems.
The best Mac antivirus software is not necessarily the best performing software on a PC.
Read up-to-date news and testing analyses from reputable bloggers and trusted news sources
to determine the most current, high-performing programs for your OS.
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