Cybercriminals are always tweaking their methods, so you need comprehensive virus protection to guard against the latest threats. A good antivirus program can identify, scan and eliminate viruses, worms, trojan horses and spyware. Certain antivirus programs offer additional security options like a virtual personal network with password management and parental controls along with protection against phishing.
Antivirus software must also protect your computer from keyloggers and rootkits that secretly track all the information you input into your keyboard, including passwords and credit card numbers. It also needs to guard against ransomware, which can infiltrate your computer and take files hostage unless you pay a ransom.
The most reliable antivirus software will have a high rate of detection for known malware and consistently high scores in independent testing labs. A good security suite will also have other safety features, like an algorithm-based detection system that looks for the kinds of behavior that viruses tend to display. It should also have security features like firewalls, and some programs have a sandboxing function that lets you run malicious programs in a virtual setting in which they aren’t able to do any damage.
A good antivirus program is updated frequently, typically once or twice per day. It should also work with a variety of devices, ranging from PCs and Macs to smartphones and smart homes. Pricing for antivirus programs varies in some cases, with some offering low initial rates. Some antivirus programs charge monthly or annually, whereas others charge per device. The cost of a software should be based on the variety of devices and types it safeguards, the frequency of updates, its ease of use and other security features.
