Which Antivirus to choose? Tips & Advice
The news is full of them: mailbox hacking, Trojans, phishing... But which antivirus software should you choose? Equipping yourself with antivirus software is crucial. So it's legitimate to ask which antivirus you should choose to protect your PC. And when you're talking about a business, even a VSE (Very Small Enterprise) or SME (Small and Medium Enterprise), the stakes are all the higher. We'd like to take this opportunity to encourage you to compare antivirus products using our search engine...
CONTENTS
Protecting your SME
Risk awareness
The risk associated with a breach of an IT system is so high that it is rarely valued at its true worth. Whether it's data specific to your business, the leakage of which to the competition would be dramatic, or customer data, to which you are bound by a duty of confidentiality, the damaging consequences for your competitiveness or your image can be immense. Not to mention the operational setbacks, with temporary interruptions to access to tools and loss of data.
Built-in protection
Hardware and IT tools often have built-in security features. Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.) include an anti-phishing function. Messaging systems have a spam filter. Operating systems contain a firewall (Windows defender antivirus ). And Internet service providers offer parental controls.
Security essentials
In addition to these layers of protection, it is advisable to equip every computer with an antivirus and a firewall. The firewall is used to control data exchanges between the computer and the network, and the antivirus to identify malicious code attempting to reach the hard disk.
Which antivirus should I choose? And how?
Download a free antivirus
Many antivirus programs exist and are available to download free of charge. All you have to do is run their installation file. They will then be continuously active on your computer, protecting you as you browse the web, check your email, download attachments, etc.
Scan your computer
If you didn't have one, or if you have any doubts about the effectiveness of your previous solution, run a scan. Online antivirus software all have this facility. This starts a complete or partial analysis of your terminal. You will then receive a report. Cybersecurity publishers such as Bitdefender, Kaspersky, eset, McAfee and Norton, published by Symantec, each offer a free scanning solution. Some offer simple, total or partial detection. Others offer disinfection of your device.
No overlapping
Out of overzealousness, you might think it's a good idea to superimpose layers of protection. Not a good idea. Firstly, because the accumulation of layers doesn't do any good. Secondly, multiplying them increases the amount of storage space and memory required, slowing down the whole operating system.
Criteria on which to base your decision
Depending on your computer
Installing an anti-virus requires a minimum of power. For devices with too little capacity, the programme risks compromising the fluidity and operation of all other applications. Even if you only install one. Avast, for example, which is widely used, requires a lot of power.
The user-friendly aspect
Let's not forget that you use this tool on a daily basis. So it's not a question of disrupting your environment by making changes that will be inconvenient for you in the long run. Some antivirus programmes are intrusive. They may want to inform you of the slightest detail at the first opportunity. In the form of pop-ups, this can divert your attention. To find out before you decide which tool to use, use the trial versions.
The problem of fake viruses
Being warned when there's a real threat is all very well. If, on the other hand, it's unjustified, it can be a real pain. Some programmes are suspected of blocking fake viruses, like AVG, which was bought by Avast, which is suspected of this kind of practice.
Features
To choose your online antivirus, compare its features: does it have a firewall? Parental control? Is it possible to test an isolated file? Or a site itself? Depending on your needs, choose the solution that seems most accessible. Because it's the ergonomics and ease of use that will encourage you and your colleagues to adopt the right reflexes.
Today, cyber threats are real, whether you're using Windows, Android or even an operating system. For your business, large or small, an anti-virus is essential. You don't need to spend a lot of money on it, as many of them are free. It's up to you to identify the one that's right for you, and install it across your entire IT estate.
Article translated from French