Compare Paid Antivirus 2024

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The ranking of any company in this table does not indicate there product is better than worse than anyone else on the list.

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Why do I need Anti Virus software?

If your device is connected to the internet then it is a potential target for hackers and viruses. An Anti Virus is a program developed by security experts which makes your device / network secure from threats or can remove current problems on your device.

How to stay safe online

Don't download attachments from unknown email addresses Email is still the biggest ways the criminals target you, DO NOT open any attachments from unknown sources or click on links in the email text if you were not expecting the email or do not know the sender

Keep your software up to date

No matter how new your device is, always look for the latest updates or download the ones when you are prompted to. These updates will contain any bug fixes but also increase your protection because new threats come about daily.

Make your passwords strong & different for each site

Ensure your passwords are strong and not easy to guess (do not include your name or date of birth), they should be different for each site, whilst this may sound impossible to try and remember a different password for every site, you could have the same format but just change 3 or letters that are related to the site you are logging into. This means if your email and password falls into the wrong hands it is just for 1 site and not your whole online footprint. You should also change these passwords regularly but do not just go 1 number higher or lower.

Have knowledge of what the threat is and what they do

No matter how new your device is, always look for the latest updates or download the ones when you are prompted to. These updates will contain any bug fixes but also increase your protection because new threats come about daily.

Make your passwords strong & different for each site

Ensure your passwords are strong and not easy to guess (do not include your name or date of birth), they should be different for each site, whilst this may sound impossible to try and remember a different password for every site, you could have the same format but just change 3 or letters that are related to the site you are logging into. This means if your email and password falls into the wrong hands it is just for 1 site and not your whole online footprint. You should also change these passwords regularly but do not just go 1 number higher or lower.

Have knowledge of what the threat is and what they do

A virus will get into your machine from a website, downloading an email attachment or from a removable device such as an external memory card that had been infected.

A trojan is also known as things like spyware, malware or adware these are downloaded when you download something that looks innocent (such as a file or a program) that will then spy on everything you do, create pop up adverts and take the information you input

A worm will send out malicious messages from your email or social media accounts and you wont have any knowledge of this. A worm can get in from any open web connection which is why protection is essential.

Signs my computer has a virus

Malware can cause problems in deleting a file or encrypting the file which means you have to pay a ransom to be able to open the file.

The device is slow

As a general rule devices slow after time because they run out of memory or not having enough RAM, however, if there was a sudden or significant reduction in speed you may have a virus

Suddon lack of storage space

Following on from the previous point, if you see a sudden loss in storage space in your hard drive then a virus may be present trying to make your compter unusable

Over active hard drive

If your computer is idle but the hard drive is still active and making a loud noise then this is a sign that you might have a virus

Unexpected adverts

If you get a lot of pop up adverts or unexpected adverts in a web page (such as adverts if you hover over a word) then you could be infected with malware. Never click on alerts that have popped up with mesaages such as "You have been selected" or "Virus detected" as this will download more malicious software to your device

Accounts are hacked

If your email or social media accounts start sending out messages to your contact list automatically then this is trying to spread the virus to others, change your passwords immediately.