Antivirus Software – What to Look For in a Security Suite
Cybercriminals are constantly changing their methods. You require comprehensive virus protection in order to protect yourself from the latest threats. A good antivirus program will search for, detect and eliminate trojans, viruses, worms and spyware. Some antivirus programs also come with additional security options, like a virtual private network, parental controls, password management and phishing protection.
Antivirus software must also protect against keyloggers and rootkits which can stealthily record everything you write on your keyboardincluding passwords as well as credit card numbers. It should also protect against ransomware, which can hijack your computer and keep files hostage until you pay ransom.
The most reliable antivirus software will have a high detection rate for known malware, and consistently high scores in independent labs for testing. A reputable security suite will also have other security features, including a heuristic-based system of detection that analyzes the types of behavior that viruses are known to exhibit. It should also include security features like firewalls, and some software packages have a sandboxing option that allows you to run malicious programs in a virtual environment that will not cause harm.
A reputable antivirus program updates often, typically once or every two days. It should also work with a range of devices, ranging from PCs and Macs to smartphones and smart homes. Certain antivirus applications offer low initial prices. Some offer annual or monthly subscriptions in addition to charging per device. The price of a program should be based on the variety of devices and types it protects, its frequency of updates as well as its user-friendliness and other security features.