Do I need a paid antivirus?
Protecting your company's IT infrastructure is a priority. The key is to find the antivirus software that will put you in the clear once and for all. That's why it's useful to compare antivirus software.
SUMMARY
Equip your company with the right anti-virus software
A security issue
An attack on your company's servers, or on one of your employees' workstations, could result in information leakage, identity theft or, more simply, the loss of business-critical data. That's why cybersecurity needs to be an integral part of your entire business IT environment.
What is malware?
Hackers represent a threat that can take many different forms. Malware includes :
- spyware, which seeks to steal your data,
- Trojans, which enter the system without your knowledge,
- phishing, in which the recipient is tricked,
- ransomware, which demands payment from you,
- keyloggers, which record your keystrokes,
- adware that makes you the target of advertisements,
- dialers that launch a paid connection from your modem,
- flooders that disable your website,
- rootkits that take remote control of your device,
This list is not exhaustive. And the most dangerous malware is that which combines several of these types.
How do viruses get into my computer?
Malware can enter your device by ..: -
- simply clicking on a malicious link, - downloading an attachment
- downloading a corrupted attachment, - plugging in a USB stick.
- plugging in a contaminated USB key or external drive.
The spread of viruses and worms is often facilitated by the presence of seemingly harmless executable files, known as Dowloaders and Droppers. Once installed, they then open the door to far more aggressive programs.
The solutions available to you
What is the purpose of antivirus software?
Antivirus software is used to monitor all a company's servers and peripherals. Their preventive functions help reduce sources of infection. They will block access to certain high-risk websites, control the installation of new software, analyze the content of an attachment before it is downloaded. In the event of an intrusion attempt, the IS (Information System) administrator is immediately informed so that action can be taken as quickly as possible.
Free antivirus software...
There are both free and paid antivirus products. As a private user, you generally opt for a free one. As a company, what should you do? For VSEs (Very Small Enterprises) and SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), a free antivirus may be all you need. The widely used Avast and AVG solutions are often considered the best free antivirus solutions. There's also Comodo Internet Security and Malwarebytes. Or you could just as easily opt for Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-virus.
... and their limits
Freeware does have its limits, however. In a sector as fast-moving as cybersecurity, there is a risk that it may not be at the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field. What's more, features are generally less comprehensive. The absence of a firewall, antispam or parental controls can prove problematic.
Pay-as-you-go antivirus for greater reliability
More comprehensive protection
Pay-as-you-go antivirus vendors offer complete suites. All their functions are controlled from a single administrator interface. Their continuously updated databases provide the most advanced and up-to-date behavioral analyses of the many forms of computer piracy.
Which is the best paid antivirus?
Paid antivirus products all offer a relevant level of security. Now, the difference depends on your own equipment and needs. Ad aware is perhaps the best known. Bitdefender follows close behind, with its protection compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Android. Others include Kaspersky, Eset and G data, as well as Symantec Norton, which won an award from av-test, an independent rating organization. McAfee is also getting good press, particularly among Windows users.
Freemium scanners
Paid antivirus publishers often offer a free online scanner application. These are applications you can launch to test whether or not your device is infected. Some, like Panda, will partially disinfect the device. Others, like F-secure, will completely decontaminate the device.
A question of power
Antivirus programs, whether free or paid for, take up memory space that should not be neglected. Before making any decisions, you need to assess the power of your device, based on its processor in particular. Software such as Avast, for example, takes up so much memory that it often slows down the terminal's operation by reducing the availability of its bandwidth.
Anti-virus scans and trial versions are good opportunities to test them out. Before you renew your subscription with a provider you're not happy with, keep this in mind. The choice of antivirus for a company is so important that it should not be taken lightly.
Article translated from French