With more and more malware, spyware, crypto-jacking and other Trojan horses, it is now essential to have an effective antivirus. But how to choose?
Free is tempting. After all, if you don't need thousands of features, it's fair to ask why spend the money. It is sometimes possible to hear that free antiviruses are not complete and do not provide enough protection. In short, they reassure rather than act.
What is it really? Let's try to clarify this.
Free antiviruses VS paid antiviruses: what level of protection?
Every day, we send billions of pieces of data across the digital world. Billions of emails, billions of searches, and… billions of personal information. Beyond the fact that your privacy is no one's business, the lack of protection on your devices can expose you to many risks.
Free antivirus software will give you basic protection against common viruses, warn you of suspicious websites, and block applications and files that are dangerous to your computer. So why pay, with so many free options?
First thing: where free software is usually specific to just one of your devices, paid software can secure all of your digital devices. But, well beyond this small detail, it is rather the effectiveness of the protection that you will have to take into account in your choice.
A paid antivirus will not only protect your computer from an already present danger, but it will ensure that attacks are prevented before they even have a chance to manifest themselves. How ? By monitoring and analyzing the way they behave. So, where free allows you to obtain a fairly low level of protection, choosing a paid version could be more reassuring for digital fans.
A second rather problematic thing: an antivirus is software created by companies, made up of engineers and researchers in computer development. Count years of work, dozens or hundreds of people involved, and without taking into account the daily updates necessary to maintain it.
All right. So, is it volunteering?
If this software were really as effective as the paid versions, we would no longer find any buyers on the market. So, no more business.
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 good example: this publisher would have nicely remunerated itself without the knowledge of its hundreds of millions of users, by selling all its data to third-party companies. Logical, from software supposed to protect us! Far from accusing all publishers of the same negligence, but it is still an interesting fact to consider.
In short, the principle is simple: an antivirus can only be effective if it is adjusted and improved daily. If an antivirus is paid for, sellers will – in principle – have more money to spend on its maintenance, and therefore to guarantee optimal efficiency 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, protection against identity theft, firewall or even management of your words password and advanced protection of your files.
Paid options are all the more appreciated if you are used to sharing sensitive information on the Internet: consulting your bank accounts, online payments, tax returns, downloads, etc. Note that a loss or leak of data can have serious consequences, so you can never be too careful.
Automatic and more advanced updates of paid software will offer you versions adapted to new viruses and other hacking methods: conversely, you will always have a risk of obsolescence when using free antiviruses. It is possible that they do not detect new threats and other unknown viruses, as the virus database is not always updated. You pay for quality.
Besides, speaking of quality, a quick digression: don't expect personalized technical assistance with free software. Naturally, it is a service that requires an investment from the company, therefore money. Prepare to have to fend for yourself.
Finally, last argument and not the least: unwanted advertisements on free software. This is also how free software intends to get paid, by offering a paid offer to eliminate these incessant invitations. 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?
Most antivirus software has two solutions to protect you from threats: a basic solution, and another with more developed features and greater security. These allow you to protect your entire data, and not just part of your data. So you buy your peace of mind.
Subscriptions often only cost a few dozen euros per year, with little difference between basic services and more advanced features. For example, Bitdefender software, considered a giant in the antivirus industry that offers the best antivirus protection on the market : The Antivirus Plus pack, offers optimal security on three devices, for the modest sum of around €29.99 per year.
Obviously, any antivirus protection, even free, is preferable to no protection at all. But keep in mind that free solutions are only reserved for restricted Internet use. If you use the web just to watch YouTube from time to time, without clicking on questionable links, you can opt for a free version.
However, if you're looking for peace of mind when transacting online, or you like the idea that if something goes wrong, someone will listen to you – or you just can't stand ads anymore incessant! – the option of a paid antivirus may be the solution for you.
