By Jim Gilbertson
The truth is there are bad people lurking online waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of the available information from Internet users. The havoc caused by malware goes beyond data corruption. These days, malware does not only cause computer systems to crash, they can also to steal personal and financial information from people. Aside from standard viruses, other types of malicious software are on the prowl, including ransomware, Trojans, and rogue security software. They are being used as tools by organizations that seek to profit by committing heinous crimes such as identity theft.
Why do you need antivirus software?
Antivirus software is a type of computer program that is intended to protect computers against malicious computer software. New and more formidable anti-virus programs are available today that are designed to protect computer systems from malware that could invade a PC when a person visits a bait site. Although people still get viruses from downloading files, just enabling the browser’s Java plug-in feature makes the system vulnerable to malware. Oftentimes, clicking on a URL is the only invitation that a lurking malware needs to corrupt a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Even trustworthy sites could be harboring an invisible monster.
The necessity for online security
No matter how careful a computer user is there is always a risk for invasion if the system is connected to the World Wide Web. People are now extra cautious when visiting websites and downloading files from the Web. Still, computer systems are highly vulnerable because viruses are engineered to counter existing defenses.
The bottom line is antivirus software is the last line of defense against rootkits, keyloggers, and all sorts of malware. There really is no reason why a computer should not have this form of protection, especially when plenty of reliable free antivirus software is available for download. Moreover, they provide an additional layer of protection without hogging computer resources. Most are lightweight and require very little disk space.
Finding the best free antivirus programs
There are many ways to improve computer security. A cursory Google search will reveal a long list of options, many of which offer hassle-free installation, automatic updates, and best of all free usage. The Web has so many resources to offer, and for someone who is serious about fortifying systems security, they have the option to download for free or purchase more than one antivirus program to protect themselves from harmful elements online. There are programs offering multiple device protection as well as utilities that provide comprehensive and effective defense against privacy incursion.
It helps to learn about the performance of an antivirus program before downloading or buying it. If reviews are available, then they are worth reading. Utilities that are deemed ineffective, problematic, or outdated should not be patronized lest they cause more problems than solutions. People are usually very generous with their feedback, and so it makes sense to read reviews determine which antivirus applications are worth installing. Learning about the reputation of the software developer helps in the decision-making process as well.
