Browsing the internet is free, but it is it safe? Technically, the internet is not safe at all. You might wonder if there is a need for an antivirus if you want to browse the internet.
There are many benefits of having an antivirus, but we will explore deeper for you to understand why you need one when browsing the internet.
Lessening the Risk
Maybe you don’t already have an antivirus in your computer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t access the internet. You can still browse the web, but you have to be extra careful.
Avoid wrong downloads
You might wonder which is a wrong download, and which is the ‘right’ one. Well, any download from a suspicious source is bad for your system. For instance, if you visit a site with multiple ads popping or redirecting you to other websites, you might end up downloading a virus.
Another experience is when you try to download a song or an image, but when you try downloading, it comes as a program file. Do not attempt to install that program, lest you expose your system to an attack/spying.
Have you ever received an email or message on the social media and the sender asks you to click on a specific link? Well, don’t ever do that. And by the way, have you noticed that since you clicked on that link, you’ve had some unwanted popups on your monitor?
Usually, the strange links will redirect you to a suspicious website, which then exposes you to a virus/malware attack. Some links might even be an automatic download. For that, avoid clicking links from people you don’t know.
Do not enable the Java plugin
Did you know that the Java Runtime Environment is one of the leading security holes? You might visit a website that requires the Java plugin, which may force you to enable it. Doing this will open your system to a risk of an attack. Make sure you disable the Java plugin and even uninstall it from your computer.
The Right Way: Installing an Antivirus
While you need to be careful when accessing the internet, you can never be 100% careful. Having an antivirus is the only sure protection for your system. This way, you can comfortably browse the internet, and be confident of safety.
Usually, a website would use a security hole to try installing malware to your computer. Some malware like rootkits, Trojan, and keyloggers are the typical bad content that a suspicious website would try installing to your computer.
An antivirus will help you stay safe by alerting you whenever you are about to install malware or any bad stuff. The malware will then want to gather your financial information and just shut down your computer’s ‘immune system.’
What is the main purpose of AntiVirus
The antivirus will catch the malware and quarantine it as needed. However, some antivirus might only point out the malware without taking any other action. These are mostly antiviruses that are not upgraded. Typically, they are the free-version antivirus.
However, a good antivirus should detect the malware, and take the necessary action. There is the zero-day attack, which happens when the people after your financial info attack you when you least expect.
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Typically, some websites are trusted, but they are paid by some bad people to release the malware to you. Some trusted sites can be the source of your malware. Most probably, you might be a victim of malware. Those ‘trusted’ websites could be compromised, which will then release the bad stuff to your computer through the browser.
But what if the antivirus behaves like the virus?
A lot of people have believed that running or installing an antivirus will slow down the computer, hence limiting them in whatever they are doing. Here, someone would opt not to run the antivirus because they don’t want the computer to lag as they browse the internet.
Some older antivirus versions were heavy, and they forced the computer to use more RAM. This then made the entire system slow. Even though viruses are known to slow down the computer, these older antivirus versions slowed down the machine even more.
Even worse, some antiviruses will have several popups prompting and reminding you to pay for a special offer or upgrade your package. This can be annoying to the user since viruses and malware are known to have a similar pop-up behavior.
What Should You Do?
The only solution to this is to find a good antivirus software. The problem with most computer users is that they don’t consider the negative effects of malware.
Even though the viruses/malware might slow your system down and have multiple pop-ups, they also spy and collect your financial information. An antivirus wouldn’t do that.
But if you do not want an antivirus that would slow down your system as it keeps it secure, you will need to be cautious when finding one.
You can opt for Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender, which is the most popular and light antivirus. It won’t slow down your system, neither will it have multiple ads or paid upgrades. You will not be asked to buy anything with the Windows Defender. However, it might be limited to some features other antiviruses might have.
For that, you might need a different antivirus. The free Microsoft Windows Defender might be free, but buying a detailed antivirus might be the best option for you.
What things to keep in mind before you buy AntiVirus in 2019
Before you step out to purchase antivirus, you need to know that the antivirus can never be perfect. Just like a coat on a cold day, you some cold air can still penetrate to your skin.
For that, always run a test regularly with the antivirus to detect any possible malware in your system. Also, don’t just download any content because you have an antivirus on your computer. Be wise and careful when browsing the internet.
The best way to find a good antivirus for your computer is to compare the features concerning reliability, affordability, and how it protects you from malware/virus. Just ensure that you find the right antivirus for your PC.
At thetop10sites.com/antivirus/mcafee-vs-totalav, you will find the best antiviruses and compare them according to your preferences.