Do I need a paid anti-virus?
Protecting your company's IT infrastructure is a priority. The key is to find the antivirus software that will protect you once and for all. That's why it's useful to compare antivirus software.
SUMMARY
Equip your business with the right anti-virus software
A security issue
An attack on your company servers, or on one of your employees' workstations, could result in information leakage, identity theft or, more simply, the loss of data that could damage your business. Cybersecurity must therefore be integrated into the construction 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 recover your data,
- Trojans that enter the system without your knowledge,
- phishing, which consists of deceiving the recipient,
- ransomware, which demands payment from you,
- keyloggers that 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?
Malicious software 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 stick or external drive.
The spread of viruses and worms is often facilitated by the presence of seemingly harmless executable files called Dowloaders and Droppers. Once installed, they then provide access to far more aggressive programmes.
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 to reduce sources of infection. They block access to certain high-risk websites, check the installation of new software and analyse the content of attachments before they are 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 an individual, you generally opt for a free one. Now, as a business, what should you do? For very small businesses (VSEs) 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 to be the best free antivirus products. There's also Comodo Internet Security and Malwarebytes. Or you could just as easily opt for Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-virus software.
... and their limitations
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, the functionalities are generally less comprehensive. The absence of a firewall, antispam or parental controls can prove problematic.
Pay-as-you-go antivirus for greater reliability
A more comprehensive system
Pay-as-you-go antivirus publishers offer comprehensive suites. All their functions are controlled from a single administrator interface. Their databases are continually updated, providing the most advanced and up-to-date behavioural analyses of the many forms of computer piracy.
Which is the best pay antivirus?
Paid antivirus products all offer an appropriate level of security. The difference will depend on your own equipment and needs. Ad aware is perhaps the best known. Bitdefender is a close second, 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 organisation. McAfee is also getting good press, particularly among Windows users.
Freemium scanners
Paid antivirus publishers often offer a free online scanner application. These applications can be launched to test whether or not your device is infected. Some, like Panda, will partially disinfect the device. Others, such as F-secure, will completely decontaminate the device.
A question of power
Antivirus software, whether free or paid for, takes up memory space that should not be neglected. You need to assess the power of your device, based on the processor in particular, before making any decisions. Software such as Avast, for example, takes up so much memory that it often slows down the operation of the terminal by reducing the availability of its bandwidth.
The scans and trial versions offered by anti-virus products are good opportunities to test them. Think about this before you renew your subscription with a service provider you are not happy with. The choice of antivirus for a company is so important that it should not be taken lightly.
Article translated from French