Security software and antivirus software

Author: Zuzana Kocáková

Digitization

10. 05. 2024 25 reading minutes

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work and communicate. But it also brought cyber threats on the internet that can disrupt our privacy and security. These cyber threats can come in many forms, from hackers and cybercriminals to viruses and malware. They may use a variety of deceptive tactics to gain access to their victims’ accounts or systems in order to obtain personal, financial or sensitive data. In this article, we’ll take a look at what threats we know about on the internet and how to protect ourselves against them.

Cyber threats on the Internet

The most common threats on the Internet include the following:

• Malware: malicious software that is designed to disrupt or damage computer systems. This includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware and spyware.
• Phishing: a tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal information such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers. This is often done by sending emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, but are in fact designed to deceive the recipient into giving their personal details.
• Hacking: involves gaining unauthorised access to a computer system or network. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities in the software or using social engineering tactics to trick users into providing their login credentials.
• Denial of Service (DoS) attacks: are aimed at overwhelming a computer system or network with excessive load, preventing it from functioning properly. This can be achieved by sending a large number of requests to the server or by overwhelming the network with traffic.
• Social engineering: represents the use of psychological manipulation to trick users into giving up their personal information. It can include tactics such as phishing, pretexting and baiting.
• Botnets: is a network of compromised computers that can be used to carry out a variety of malicious activities such as DDoS attacks, sending spam and stealing personal data.
• Insider threats: involve individuals within an organization using their access to confidential information for malicious purposes, such as stealing data or damaging the network.

What is an antivirus definition?

In order to effectively defend against existing threats, we need to install a suitable antivirus software on our device. What is an antivirus meaning, you ask? Antivirus is a type of software that is used to prevent, scan, detect and remove viruses from a computer. Once installed, most antivirus software runs automatically in the background and provides real-time protection against virus attacks.

What is security software?

Security software is any computer program designed to affect information security. It is often used in the context of defending computer systems or data. Security software is designed to protect and secure servers, laptops, mobile devices and networks from unauthorized access, intrusion, viruses and other threats. It can help protect data, users, systems and companies from a wide range of risks.

Antivirus protection

Anti-virus protection helps protect files and hardware from malware such as worms, Trojans and spyware, and may offer additional protection such as customizable firewalls and website blocking.

How antivirus works

Anti-virus software works by regularly scanning your devices for and blocking known viruses, as well as new and emerging malware mutations. If your device becomes infected, antivirus software will help you remove it. These programs use several forms of detection to provide the best possible protection.

Antivirus benefits

The goal of antivirus software is not only to protect the system from security threats and vulnerabilities, but also to provide real-time protection through automatic vulnerability scanning. An antivirus program provides the following benefits:

• Virus and malware protection: the main advantage of antivirus software is protection against malicious viruses such as malware and spyware.
• Protection against spam and pop-ups: one of the most common ways viruses infect and infiltrate your system is through pop-ups and spam-based websites. Antivirus software secures the system by automatically blocking pop-ups and spam originating from malicious websites.
• Real-time protection: antivirus software acts as a real-time shield that scans every incoming file and program. Depending on the settings of the antivirus program, when an infected file or program is detected, it is automatically removed or moved to a quarantine folder for further analysis. The quarantined file is prevented from interacting with the rest of the computer and its programs to mitigate damage.
• Boot-scan command: sophisticated viruses can often duplicate themselves while the system is active. However, an antivirus program can prevent the virus from self-replicating by invoking the boot-scan command. This command shuts down the operating system (OS), restarts the computer, and checks the entire hard drive for viruses and malware. During the scan, the virus is detected and thanks to the deactivation of the operating system, it has no chance to self-replicate.
• Scanning the dark web: data from most data leaks, such as ransomware attacks, often ends up on the dark web. Many antivirus tools can help companies detect whether their sensitive data has been leaked to the dark web or not. For example, if antivirus find an associated email address or account number on the dark web, it can alert the user and update the password to a new and more complex one.
• External device protection: most people regularly connect external devices such as hard drives and USB adapters to their computers. The antivirus software scans all connected devices and peripherals to prevent potential viruses from entering the system through external sources.
• Spam protection: this is basically protection against unwanted messages or unsolicited advertisements.
• Identity theft protection: antivirus can protect your sensitive information from hackers.
• Parental controls: many antivirus providers also offer parents the ability to control their children’s online activity and prevent them from visiting inappropriate websites or downloading harmful content to their devices.

Why antivirus scan failed ?

The role of an antivirus is to protect our devices from malware attacks such as viruses, malware and ransomware. However, what happens when your antivirus program suddenly crashes and says “virus scan failed”? Here’s a look at a few possible causes of this problem and how to treat them.

1. Software updates

One of the most common reasons why an antivirus scan can fail is because of out-of-date software versions. Antivirus programs regularly release updates that include new cyber threat definitions and bug fixes. If you don’t update your antivirus program, its ability to detect and remove threats may be limited. The solution is to regularly update the software and its definitions.

2. Software conflicts

Another reason could be a conflict between the antivirus and other software installed on your device. Some applications may compete with an antivirus program for access to system resources or may contain elements that are interpreted as threats. In that case, you can try disabling or uninstalling other apps that might be causing the conflict.

3. System errors

Some system errors or file corruption may prevent the antivirus program from working properly. In such cases, you may need to use system repair tools or reinstall an antivirus program to fix the problem.

4. New threats

Sometimes a new, unknown threat can be the cause of an antivirus scan failure. Antivirus programs rely on their threat definitions to identify and remove threats. If a new threat appears before your antivirus database is updated, your scan may fail. In this case, it is important that you inform the antivirus provider of the problem and request a database update.

Antivirus – best options and criteria for choosing

All of us are looking for the best antivirus to protect our devices, but unfortunately, not all antivirus products provide a reliable and usable solution that provides an adequate level of protection against malware. When evaluated against the following criteria, even the top 10 antivirus solutions on the market can score very differently, so think carefully about your choice.

• Reliability

Even the most thorough antivirus solution can prove completely useless if it conflicts with other software running on your computer. If these conflicts lead to malfunctions or temporary suspension of antivirus protection processes, it can make your device vulnerable to attacks.

• Usability

If the day-to-day use of an antivirus solution requires special skills, it may be impractical for many users. In some cases, if the antivirus software is too complex to run, the user can simply turn it off and remain unprotected.

• Speed and performance

Although you can’t avoid slowing down your system after installing an antivirus, you should at least check and compare how much your chosen antivirus programs will tax the performance of your computer or smartphone.

• Comprehensive protection

An antivirus solution should provide continuous protection for all computer domains, all file types and all network elements that could be subject to attack by a computer virus or other malware.

• Quality of protection

Regardless of whether you need security software for Apple or Windows , each must be able to operate in an aggressive environment that is constantly changing – with new computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses that can be far more complex than previously known malware and may include new ways to evade the effects of antivirus programs. The quality of protection depends in part on the following:

• the effectiveness of malware detection processes
• frequency and regularity of updates
• the ability to remove infections from your computer
• the effectiveness of providing computer protection – without significantly impacting computer performance

• Affordability

The antivirus should be affordable and the price should match the quality of the service.

• Application intuitiveness

An antivirus program should be easy to use and intuitive – there is technical complexity and technical jargon associated with computer security, but these should not be a barrier for the user.

• How many devices can you use it on

Many households no longer have just one desktop computer and family members often have their own laptops and smartphones or tablets. That’s why antivirus manufacturers offer the option to use it on multiple devices – so you can protect the whole family for just one fee.

• OS compatibility

Today, it is no longer the exception that every device in the home runs a different operating system (e.g. Windows on a laptop, Android on a tablet and iOS on an iPhone). So check in advance which OS the selected antivirus supports. When choosing an antivirus, you can rely on user and discussion forums where users share their real experiences and knowledge, or you can check sites with independent antivirus tests and expert reviews, for example here.

What antivirus for laptop?

1. Norton 360 Deluxe If you need an antivirus for your laptop or PC, this antivirus includes almost everything most users need, without the extras. In addition to an antivirus engine and firewall to protect against malware and network threats, you’ll also get malicious link and attachment scanning, dark web monitoring and webcam protection. Norton also offers 50GB of cloud backup storage, access to a password manager and VPN, parental controls, and desktop tools that include the ability to monitor outdated software. The only downside is that it can have a high impact on the performance of some computers. 2. Bitdefender Total Security Bitdefender Total Security Antivirus is a comprehensive solution that provides cybersecurity for your Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices without affecting their performance or battery life. Bitdefender antivirus can eliminate all forms of network threats, including traditional viruses, worms, Trojans, as well as modern threats such as RATs, ransomware attacks and various types of exploits, rootkits, botnets and spyware. It provides theft protection, parental control, VPN, Firewall, webcam and microphone protection, web browsing protection and secure online payment. 3. ESET HOME Security Ultimate ESET HOME Security Ultimate Antivirus protection is a complete home security solution that effectively guards your computer while minimizing the impact on your operating system performance. It uses advanced AI-based technologies that actively fight all forms of internet threats without slowing down your computer or affecting the functionality of your operating system. Whether you need privacy protection, do online banking, shop online or just read the latest emails, ESET HOME Security Ultimate is the ideal choice. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Android phones or tablets. ESET antivirus also offers the option to take an online antivirus test for one free scan of your device, which also removes all threats. Click on the link and select the free trial option. It will download an installation file, which you can run to get here: Now just set your language and click Run. Hopefully your test result will look like this: 4. McAfee Total Protection McAfee Total Protection security software and protection package provides protection from the latest spyware, malware and ransomware threats not only for you, but also for your family, ensuring maximum protection for your privacy and identity. It also protects your computer and personal data from attacks by hackers and cybercriminals. Antivirus McAfee is highly regarded for its ability to optimize your computer’s performance – automatically blocking videos from running on websites and minimizing bandwidth usage. You’ll surely appreciate that McAfee Total Protection is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android, meaning you can easily secure all the devices in your home with one software. McAfee provides secure web browsing, home network security with a firewall, online support with security experts, secure storage and password management. It offers a license for 3 devices for 12 months. 5. Avast Ultimate Avast Ultimate Antivirus includes every product you need to take care of your devices, all in one convenient package. Avast is one of the most reliable antiviruses, but puts more strain on device performance than its competitors. There’s also a free version that offers you protection from viruses, malware, ransomware attacks, as well as WiFi network protection and network device monitoring. The paid version provides powerful real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware and other threats on all devices, Avast AntiTrack Premium helps users protect their personal data from online tracking and provides enhanced anonymity when browsing the web. It provides a protected mode for online banking and shopping. It also includes a built-in Firewall and anti-spam filtering to protect your computer and your email inbox from unwanted content and unauthorized access. The following products are part of the license:

• Avast Premium – reliable antivirus protection
• Avast Secureline VPN – protects your network privacy
• Avast Cleanup Premium – for thoroughly cleaning your device of unnecessary files
• Avast Passwords Premium – password manager
• Avast AntiTrack – helps users protect their personal data from online tracking

6. AVG Internet Security AVG is best known for its excellent free antivirus software, but there’s good reason to upgrade. AVG Internet Security not only offers more comprehensive protection, but also easy management of these tools. The Internet Security plan builds on the free version’s protection against malware and web, email and network threats by adding five features. You get protection for passwords stored in browsers, webcam hijacking, unknown access to sensitive data files, malicious redirection of websites you’re trying to visit (DNS hijacking), and attacks conducted through the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol. As well as scanning your computer and network in real time, AVG Internet Security monitors malicious websites as you surf online – and even monitors where your email address appears online. If it detects it in a data leak, an alert will appear in the app. You can use AVG Free as your antivirus for windows 10 protection. You can also use it as a Windows XP or Windows 11 antivirus. 7. Windows Defender We’re all familiar with Microsoft Defender – it’s a simple, free protection against malicious cyber threats that’s automatically installed on your Windows devices. Because Microsoft Defender is free, you can run and use it instantly, anywhere. Windows also offers security protections for larger enterprises, if needed. As an antivirus, it covers everything you need to protect – from scanning your device, to quarantine prevention, to removing viruses that may have been on your computer. You’ll find more features in other antivirus packages, such as online privacy tools, VPNs and encrypted cloud backup. However, this free protection provides everything the average user needs and protects your device well against most threats. 8. Avira Avira is a free protection for Windows devices that uses a variety of supervised and unsupervised artificial intelligence methods, as well as machine learning techniques to improve malware ad detection. The antivirus tool also includes an ad monitoring feature, digital footprint cleaning tools and a shield for scanning emails and social networks. In addition, Avira offers its own free VPN protection. 9. Total AV Total AV is a powerful and easy-to-use antivirus program that uses the Savapi antimalware engine, which is used by more than 500 million users worldwide. Total AV protects your computer and mobile devices from viruses, malware, adware and spyware in real time. It offers a feature-rich package with an intuitive interface. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs an affordable and effective cybersecurity tool that’s easy to manage. It is compatible with Windows, Apple Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android devices. Total AV has built-in phishing URL blocking, they also have a password manager, VPN and ID protection to give you the highest level of security. Full system scanning and real-time scanning will work silently in the background, constantly and consistently checking for potential threats and overall device health. The results are displayed in a clear and transparent format. Total AV has many other features such as VPN, Ad Blocker, Browser Cleaner and System Tuning. 10. Sophos Intercept X Endpoint – Linux antivirus Sophos Intercept X Endpoint provides excellent network protection for home and business users. It uses an extensive proprietary malware database and advanced heuristics to find and remove all types of malware. Intercept X Endpoint is compatible with all major Linux distributions and allows easy security management of all types of devices through the Sophos Central control panel (which is similar to the Bitdefender control centre). Sophos Intercept X Endpoint includes:

• Malware scanner on request
• Firewall management
• Real-time malware protection
• Scheduled scanning
• Wide support for distributions

Antivirus programs – comparing the best antivirus for your device

Antivirus & Mobile – antivirus for Android and iOS devices

Antivirus for Android

1. Bitdefender Mobile Security Bitdefender Mobile Security provides excellent malware protection with little impact on performance. It also includes tools such as app lock, Wi-Fi scanner, anti-theft features, and data breach alerts. Price: €12/year 2. Norton Mobile Security Norton Mobile Security provides great protection against malware and has an intuitive design. Its App Advisor feature checks apps that use too much data or behave suspiciously, which could indicate they are malicious. Price: 9.70€/year 3. Avast Mobile Security Avast Mobile Security provides good protection against malware with minimal impact on system performance. The paid plan also includes additional anti-theft features, an app clipboard and technical support. You can also get access to Avast’s SecureLine VPN service as an add-on to one of the paid plans. Price: 6.99€/year

iOS antivirus (antivirus for iPhone)

iPhones are generally considered more secure compared to other types of smartphones due to Apple’s strict security measures and the closed nature of the iOS operating system. However, it is said that every device should have an antivirus installed for its security – is iOS an exception? Partly. Although Apple has designed its iOS system to be relatively untouchable, it’s still possible to get a virus on your iPhone. The most likely way for this to happen is the so-called jailbreak, when you’ll go around operating system restrictions. You can do this to get more control over your device and download any apps or programmes from anywhere on the internet. Basically, it lets you do whatever you want with your iPhone. But when you also allow your device to download apps from unknown sources, you’ve opened up iOS to a wider range of apps, features, and themes, none of which are approved by Apple! This means that without antivirus protection, you’ve just exposed your device to all kinds of attacks. 1. Norton Mobile Security This antivirus was already mentioned above, but it’s not only the best for Android devices, but also for iOS devices, which is why it deserves the top spot on this list. 2. Avira Mobile Security Avira’s Avira Mobile Security Antivirus is a free, all-in-one antivirus that protects you from theft and scammers. It may not offer as many features as other antivirus programs, but you’ll still get basic security for your iPhone without paying huge amount of money. Avira may also be the best choice if you feel your iOS device is already largely secure and doesn’t need additional security features like online shopping and identity protection. Price: free 3. McAfee Mobile Security This antivirus provides a secure VPN for online privacy, protecting your identity from risky Wi-Fi connections, secure browsing, system scan for the latest updates. It comes with a free VPN to secure public wi-fi. Price: 10.99€/year 4. Bitdefender Mobile Security With Bitdefender’s antivirus, you get the most effective threat protection with the least impact on your battery. Protect your personal data such as passwords, addresses, social and financial information, check your phone’s security, prevent accidental disclosure and misuse of data for all installed apps, protect your calendar and messages from fraud and phishing attempts, get an overview of your online activity and history of attacks you’ve defended against, and enjoy online communication with a sense of security by checking your online accounts against data breaches. Price: 14.99€/year 5. AVG Mobile Security Pro If you have an iOS device and want to get free antivirus, iPhone, Mac and iPad can all be protected by simply downloading the AVG Mobile Security app from the App Store. While you won’t have the network protection of a VPN, it will provide you with monitoring and password leak protection, as well as photo protection with a security vault. We hope that our article has helped you to get an overview of antivirus and security software.

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Security software and antivirus software

Zuzana Kocáková

At msg life Slovakia I take care of the company culture, events and I am part of the marketing team. I like a job where I can be creative and contribute to making my colleagues at msg feel good. I regularly prepare for you not only news and interesting things from the world of information technology and insurance, but also from behind the scenes events at msg life Slovakia.