Why use a paid antivirus program?

With the increasing prevalence of malware, spyware, cryptojacking, and other Trojans, having effective antivirus software is now essential. But how do you choose?

Free software is tempting. After all, if you don't need thousands of features, it's legitimate to wonder why you should spend the money. You sometimes hear that free antivirus programs aren't comprehensive and don't provide enough protection. In short, they offer reassurance rather than actual protection.

What is the real situation? Let's try to get a clearer picture.

Free antivirus software vs. paid antivirus software: what level of protection?

Every day, we send billions of data points across the digital world. Billions of emails, billions of searches, and… billions of pieces of personal information. Beyond the fact that your privacy is nobody's business, the lack of protection on your devices can expose you to numerous risks.

Free antivirus software will offer basic protection against common viruses, warn you about suspicious websites, and block applications and files that are dangerous to your computer. So why pay when there are so many free options?

First, while free software is usually specific to a single device, paid software can secure all your digital devices. But beyond this minor detail, it's the effectiveness of the protection that you should consider when making your choice.

A paid antivirus program won't just protect your computer from existing threats; it will prevent attacks before they even have a chance to occur. How? By monitoring and analyzing their behavior. Therefore, while free versions offer a relatively low level of protection, choosing a paid version might be more reassuring for tech enthusiasts.

A second, rather problematic point: antivirus software is created by companies, comprised of engineers and researchers in computer development. This represents years of work, dozens or even hundreds of people involved, and that's without considering the daily updates necessary for its maintenance.

Okay. So, it's volunteer work?

If these programs were truly as effective as the paid versions, there would be no buyers left on the market. And therefore, no businesses would be left.

This is where the slogan "When it's free, you're the product" takes on its full meaning. The famous free antivirus, Avast, is a prime example: this company allegedly profited handsomely, without the knowledge of its hundreds of millions of users, by selling all its data to third-party companies. Logical, indeed, for software meant to protect us! Far be it from us to accuse all software publishers of the same negligence, but it's still an interesting fact to consider.

In short, the principle is simple: an antivirus program can only be effective if it is adjusted and improved daily. If an antivirus program is not free, the vendors will – in principle – have more money to spend on its maintenance, and therefore on guaranteeing optimal effectiveness and protection.

A paid antivirus for more features

The number of features obviously increases with the price, which can become interesting for heavy web users: network protection, parental control, anti-spam, identity theft protection, firewall, password management, and advanced file protection.

Paid options are especially valuable if you regularly share sensitive information online: checking your bank accounts, making online payments, filing tax returns, downloading files, etc. Keep in mind that data loss or leaks can have serious consequences, so it's always best to be cautious.

Automatic and more advanced updates for paid software will offer versions adapted to new viruses and other hacking methods; conversely, you always run the risk of obsolescence when using free antivirus programs. They may not detect new threats and other unknown viruses, as their virus database is not always up-to-date. Quality comes at a price.

Speaking of quality, a quick note: don't expect personalized technical support with free software. Naturally, this type of service requires an investment from the company, meaning money. Be prepared to figure things out on your own.

Finally, and importantly, there are the intrusive ads on free software. This is precisely how free software companies generate revenue, by offering a paid version that removes these constant prompts. A good compromise.

A paid antivirus is therefore software that does not interrupt your online activities and thus lets you breathe: no advertisements, banners or other unpleasant pop-ups.

How to choose your antivirus software?

Most antivirus software offers two solutions to protect you from threats: a basic solution, and another with more advanced features and enhanced security. The latter protects you completely, not just a portion of your data. You're essentially buying peace of mind.

Subscriptions often cost only a few tens of euros per year, with little difference between basic services and more advanced features. For example, Bitdefender, considered a giant in the antivirus industry, offers the best antivirus protection on the market : the Antivirus Plus package provides optimal security on three devices for the modest sum of approximately €29.99 per year.

Obviously, any antivirus protection, even free, is better than no protection at all. But keep in mind that free solutions are only suitable for limited internet use. If you only use the web to watch YouTube occasionally, without clicking on suspicious links, you can opt for a free version.

However, if you are looking for peace of mind when making online transactions, or you like the idea that in case of a problem, someone will listen to you – or you can no longer stand the incessant advertisements! – the option of a paid antivirus may be the solution for you.