What is Antivirus Software and How Does it Work?
Antivirus
If you want to keep your computer, phone, or other internet-connected devices secure, you will need proper antivirus software. Antivirus software detects, halts and removes various types of malware so that they cannot access your systems. Consequently, you are less likely to fall victim to spyware, keyloggers or trojans.
Everything You Need to Know About Antivirus Software
The online world is full of opportunities as well as dangers. Cybercriminals who try to steal your data, viruses that are loaded onto your device without you noticing..., and the list goes on. Malware comes in all shapes and sizes. There are trojans, computer worms and keyloggers, for example. Or, even more popular, spyware and computer viruses. To learn more about all of these online dangers, you can dive into our special category on malware, which gives you more insight into the various types of threats.
Just rest assured that you are not defenseless. Virus scanners, also called antivirus software or antivirus programs, help you detect and remove malware from your computer. And if you also have a proper firewall, viruses and other dangers will be much less able to enter your computer via the internet.
Do you want to know more about antivirus software, how it works, and why it is important? Then read our informative articles below.
Do I Need Antivirus Software?
You may be wondering whether you really need an antivirus program. As long as you are cautious about which websites you visit, you should be fine, right? To some extent, you are correct. Legitimate, well-encrypted websites probably will not dump viruses on your computer. But cybercriminals might. And they are getting smarter.
Antivirus Software on All Your Devices
Most laptops and desktops have their own firewall. It is also relatively easy to download antivirus programs onto these devices. Yet it doesn’t stop here: how often are you on the internet with your smartphone? Viruses can also penetrate your Android or iOS system. Therefore, it is very important to also protect your phone and other devices.
But how do you know which antivirus software is best for you and your device? We tested different antivirus programs with all kinds of devices so you know exactly what to expect.
Antivirus Software Reviews
There are several virus scanners that can help you keep your devices safe. As with VPNs, it is important that you make the right choice. After all, you don’t want to end up with a virus scanner that is more trouble than it is worth. A proper virus scanner works efficiently and effectively without annoying you. You shouldn’t even notice you have one, so to speak.
Unfortunately, some antivirus software can slow down your computer considerably, which of course is not ideal. There are also (free) virus scanners out there that don’t respect your privacy or are themselves a sort of malware. Obviously, you would want to steer away from these programs.
Still, a proper antivirus program is very important. To ensure that you install the right program on your device, we have tested a number of popular antivirus programs. We have taken a hard look at well-known free programs, such as Avast Free and AVG Antivirus, as well as paid software, such as Bitdefender and Kaspersky. This way we can tell you without a doubt whether a certain program is a good choice or not. Click below for an overview!