It’s 2019 – most operating systems come with built-in firewalls and antivirus. Still, third party antivirus software companies are in business. As the end-user, you can’t help but wonder if antivirus software is worth its price and effort.
Related Ads:
Antivirus Software Protects Against All Types Of Threats
Cyber threats are more severe than ever. For that reason, Windows 10 and later versions have an improved Windows Defender.
Windows Defender will keep common viruses and malicious software at bay. But compared to third party antivirus software, Windows Defender is relatively ineffective against malware.
To prove this concept, run the free version of reputable antimalware such as Malwarebytes. You’ll be surprised to find out the number of threats Defender was unable to flag.
Related Ads:
Regular Updates
Defender receives regular updates, like any other antivirus software. However, premium third-party antivirus programs receive updates more frequently and in a timely manner. Additionally, high-end third-party software, such as Bitdefender, have integrated AI to improve threat detection.
Moreover, these third-party antivirus programs come with extras, such as:
- Email and web browser plugins for web protection
- Malware protection
- Exploit protection
- Ransomware shields
- Password management
The web protection in some of these programs is as adequate as to block access to malicious sites.
You Can Never Be Too Careful
It is possible to avoid threats. You can avoid viruses by visiting reputable sites, and only downloading applications from official sites like Windows Store. Other measures include avoiding inserting external drives in your system and not opening suspicious emails.
However, malware and virus coders are always devising more sophisticated methods of attacks. Eventually, you will fall victim to their new tricks.
Using your PC without an antivirus software is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Just because you are careful, there’s always a chance of an accident.
Fewer False Positives
An antivirus program scans all your folders and system files for threats. Sometimes, these programs can incorrectly flag safe files as threats. In the tech world, such mistakes are called false positives.
False positives can block access to a safe file or site and even prevent the installation of a genuine application. Such situations are frustrating and annoying.
According to an AV Comparatives study, compared to other antivirus programs, Defender has a high rate of false positives. Users work around the false positive by turning of Defender, thereby becoming susceptible to real threats.
Standard Antivirus Protection Is More Vulnerable To Attacks
Windows Defender comes with Windows 10. Such pre-installed programs are convenient when you consider performance.
However, when coding attacks, Defender becomes a priority to work around since it is the primary protection in most PCs. So, to increase the chances of success, hackers make sure their malware beats Defender’s protection. When something is standard, it is easier to circumvent.
The takeaway here is that antivirus programs are still worth the cost. They will provide an extra layer of security on top of what Defender provides. Remember, threats have evolved beyond viruses to sophisticated types of malware such as spyware and ransomware. Opting for paid antivirus is deciding to be safe rather than sorry.
