With cyberattacks on the rise and increasingly more prevalent, it has become all too easy to drop your guard and expose yourself to tech-savvy criminals who can leak your financial data. Therefore, installing antivirus software on your computer is paramount in terms of providing you with the necessary security to ward off such threats.
Protecting yourself at all costs
One abundantly clear thing is that there is a variety of important criteria to ascertain when picking the best antivirus software for your computer. Regardless of any site you wish to visit to make financial transactions, such as paying for products at online retail outlets or settling outstanding payments with your bank, you will need to make sure you have robust protection to secure your computer should it come under attack.
This central tenet of being vigilant online applies to all types of consumers, including ones that may have antivirus installed for playing at digital casinos. Many of the top operators that are contained in the list of best payout online casinos in Canada will not only have a proven track record for facilitating swift withdrawals for players, but they will also utilize the latest SSL protocols to keep players safe. This includes North Casino which has a Curacao license that will underline its security credentials.
Antivirus programs have upped the game, and you can’t afford to take any chances at least when it comes to providing a buffer to deter any potential cyberattacks. Although not all antivirus programs are fool-proof, the best ones will alleviate any outstanding malware and ransomware issues on your device. But which programs should you sign up for? Our guide will give you the lowdown, drawing attention to a few of the finest products, and we will discuss the merits of each.
Norton360
At the vanguard of technological evolution, and perhaps one of the more ubiquitous antivirus programs out there, is Norton360. Deemed to be user-friendly and very effective, Norton360 is adept at performing a range of various monitoring and safeguarding operations to keep your Mac desktop out of harm’s reach in terms of browser attacks and search engine hijacks.
Norton360 predominantly focuses on spotting and dealing with unwanted software. Aside from being able to run a full scan which will check your system memory and startup programs, there are an array of other handy features available, such as tools for managing and securing passwords for banking and other financial information.
Should you wish to upgrade to Norton Deluxe, then you can expect other robust additions, such as Dark Web Monitoring, which will shield you against identity threats. You can also get VPN access which will secure your data online when you move over to Norton 360 Deluxe. While this will be a paid-for subscription, the deluxe version represents excellent value for money.
McAfee
Arguably one of the most trusted for privacy, McAfee identifies itself as being a versatile product for all people, especially for those who aren’t surrounded by a team of IT experts. Yes, McAfee covers many bases, and that includes a firewall, email security, and ransomware protection.
The user experience is very clean, and there is a password manager feature and parental controls available for those who wish to monitor their children’s digital footprints. McAfee has become renowned for strong performance levels, and typically, the Antivirus Product package will cost you $19.99 for a one-year subscription.
However, those wishing for a more premium experience can upgrade to McAfee Total Protection. Having adopted a new design on Windows, this builds on what we have seen previously, and you can expect to tap into Identity Protection Service. This will establish your online profile and protect you from weak spots so your data isn’t breached.
Avira
Avira is also held in high regard when it comes to purveying comprehensive antivirus protection. When it comes to malware cover, including ransomware and phishing attacks, Avira won’t let you down. Moreover, it can repair damaged files in real-time.
Not only that, but it comes in a bundle with a password manager, free VPN, and tracker remover, so you can sync up and shore all your personal devices in one place. Although there is a free version of Avira available, the premium version tends to start at the $34.99 mark for the first year, rising to $57.99 thereafter.
Indeed, those customers who wish to have more robust antivirus measures without breaking the bank may gravitate more towards Avira.
AVG
Although more targeted towards Mac products, AVG performs the core tasks well, and that revolves around being able to protect you from viruses, spyware, and malware.
With a vastly improved interface, AVG is very meticulous, and it will scan applications and check every file, as well as remove any lingering threats. One of the main selling points of AVG is that it contains auto-updates, so you won’t miss out on protection from the latest threats, and it performs core tasks well.
To resolve more advanced issues, you will need to pay to upgrade to the full version. However, users will be delighted to know there is a 60-day free trial which may be sufficient.
Who to partner up with?
This is perhaps the million-dollar question! After all, each antivirus program offers something slightly different, and there are plenty of things that you will need to take into consideration. Whether it is performance, level of security coverage or cost, some consumers may have differing opinions about how much protection they need to do their everyday online tasks.
However, based on our careful and thorough research, Norton360 excels across many key areas. Whether it is carrying out a quick scan of your device or having extra features, such as Dark Web Monitoring and VPN implemented, Norton360 ticks a lot of boxes, and we are convinced that users will feel the same.
With antivirus programs, there is an expense involved, but ultimately you can’t put a price on your computer’s security. This guide has given you a flavor of what to expect when it comes to picking antivirus software, and now it is up to you to decide what to do next.
By Charles Perrin