What to Look For in an Antivirus Program
About Antivirus
Antivirus software protects devices and data from malware (malicious software) infections by scanning files, programs and operating systems for malware patterns and flagging any suspicious activities that may be signs of infection. It then quarantines or deletes any viruses or threats it finds to prevent them from spreading and damaging your device, data or network. Most contemporary antivirus programs use multiple layers of defense to protect against spyware, keylogging and credential theft, unwanted cryptocurrency mining, unauthorized information extraction (by banking Trojans), ransomware, spam and scams, and many other types of cyberattacks. A good antivirus program will also update itself regularly to stay ahead of current and emerging cyberthreats.
The first thing to look for in an antivirus program is its detection rates, reported by independent labs. Although a high number doesn’t guarantee the software can stop every piece of malware, it’s a good indication that it will do its job well enough to be worth your while.
Another important factor is whether a product offers additional safety features, such as identity theft protection and parental controls. Some products may offer these features as add-ons, while others will include them in a subscription package.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether the antivirus you’re interested in has support for IoT (Internet of Things) devices. This is important because these devices are often given open access to the internet and can be prone to infection by malicious software designed specifically for them.