One of the best ways to protect ourselves against threats is to have a good antivirus solution. In the market there are many options to choose from, so it is possible that you end up a bit messy when choosing one. The first thing you have to ask yourself is: "what type of use do I give the computer?" It is not the same that you need an antivirus for work, in which the data must be as protected as possible, as it is for personal use. In the latter case, other things also matter, such as having parental control, if you have children at home, or that it does not affect performance.
In any case, beyond the use you give it, there are some tips that you should put into practice . If you want to enjoy a good antivirus that keeps you away from dangers, both for you and yours.
1. Trial version
Most antivirus have a trial version that will allow you to try it before paying for a license. We recommend that you do it, because that way you will better check if it is really effective and if it is valid for what you need. For example, some like ESET Internet Security or Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2018 give you the possibility to try it free for a month. Others like G Data Internet Security 2018 allow you to try it for 30 days without obligation and receive a refund in case it has not met your expectations. The latter is a current solution that will keep you sufficiently protected against any type of malware and that, in addition, will run a quick scan of the system.
This antivirus includes firewalls, as well as protection against network attacks (IDS) or against the dreaded ransomware. It also offers a UEFI scanner, the current equivalent of the old BIOS, and integrates with the mail manager in search of possible malware. It works with both POP3 and IMAP. This software has a cost of 35 euros per year.
2. Firewall included
When faced with an attack on your network from the Internet, the firewall is, without a doubt, the first line of defense. Therefore, you have to be prepared to fight against any type of unauthorized access, thus preventing an attacker from entering the local network or your PC. Therefore, it is essential that the antivirus you choose has this function. If this is the case, we recommend that you disable the Windows firewall. Some users claim that they notice a higher performance when this happens. In addition, today's antivirus are prepared to work without problems while consuming few resources.
3. Protection for ecommerce
Buying online is already something of the most common in any computer worth its salt. We advise you to check that the antivirus you install has protection for ecommerce. It will keep you protected during transactions from possible data theft or phishing, one of the methods most used by cybercriminals to fraud and obtain confidential information fraudulently. For example, detailed information about credit cards or passwords.
4. Parental control
Do you have children at home who use the computer? If so, we recommend that the antivirus you choose has parental control. It is a tool that allows parents to limit access to different applications or services that minors can access. It also allows to limit the time of use that is given to the equipment. Imagine that you want your child to be online for only one hour. After that time the computer will turn off automatically.
The best thing about an antivirus with parental control is that it restricts access to web pages based on their content. Likewise, it also blocks the transfer of personal data through instant messaging clients. When parental control is activated, messages with personal information are frozen and message attempts are displayed in the report. The great advantage of this function is that in the configuration tab you will be able to know if your child may be in danger when using the PC and put a stop to this.
5. That you consume little
It is true that all antivirus use computer resources, but a good one should protect without slowing down the system too much. Therefore, another of our tips is that you opt for quality software to enjoy maximum security, and thus continue working on your computer without delays. Keep in mind that with some more limited solutions the protection is reduced in order to achieve greater fluidity.
6. Banking Trojans
Some antivirus have protection against banking Trojans. What does this mean? Basically, that we will have a security plus when entering our bank account through the Internet and operating with it. Remember that new threats appear every minute and that cybercriminals are in charge of distributing them. Therefore, it is one of the best ways to be completely and instantly protected.
7. Technical support
It is very important that the antivirus you choose has a technical support to match, trained to advise and help in case of problems. Current threats such as Ransomware can cause that, at a certain moment, we need extra help in the event of a blockade or hijacking. Antivirus like G Data or ESET offer quite professional support. Whether you have problems with the invoice, with the software, with a virus or with an order. The contact can generally be made by email, or a telephone that is operational from Monday to Friday 24 hours.
8. Global solution
Finally, if you have the possibility of opting for a much better global solution. In this way, you will be safe, not only when you use the computer, but also when you are operating the mobile or tablet. Being protected on all the devices you use at the same time is a way to avoid malware and other dangers that lurk on the network.