We live in an age where malware is more sophisticated than ever before. Gone are the days when viruses gave us grief by corrupting our data. Malware like spyware or ransomware can cause financial problems, Trojan horses can get past our defenses by relying on deception, and rootkits can hit the core of our operating systems and take over our computers. Even simpler threats like adware can slow down our computers, Internet connections,. and annoy us with unwanted popup ads and toolbars.
Neither Windows-powered PCs nor Macs are safe. In fact, one report finds that Mac malware threats per endpoint now outpace Windows! Unfortunately, default operating system tools are not sufficient, shielding mostly proprietary software. The solution is to download the right antivirus software to keep you safe and secure. Here are a few qualities of top cybersecurity software:
1. Stable and Future Proof
Whether you’re looking for macOS, Windows 10, or Windows 11 Antivirus software, you need a cybersecurity brand that's future-proof. Remember, every time Microsoft releases a new operating system, compatibility issues can affect early adopters. Incompatible software may not function correctly, or it could even crash your computer. Similarly, it would help if you had an antivirus that keeps up with the latest updates for your current operating system.
2. Light and Fast
Your antivirus software must be light. It shouldn’t burden your computer by consuming too much memory or processing power. Whether you have an 800MHz CPU or a cutting-edge processor, the software should run competently. In addition, it should be fast. You don’t have all day to wait for your cybersecurity tools to scan your system!
3. Very Smart
Researchers find thousands of new malware threats every day. And conventional antivirus tools that scan threats for known signatures struggle to stop new threats with unknown patterns. It would help if you had advanced antivirus software that employs heuristic analysis. “Heuristics” is a term researchers coined for a strategy that detects threats by analyzing the program's structure, its behavior, and other attributes.
Heuristics analysis relies on artificial intelligence and machine learning to proactively crush malware before it can do damage. So, find anti-malware software that’s smart and proactive to protect your computer from emerging threats.
4. Doesn’t Lie
Unfortunately, many antivirus programs throw up false positives because they’re buggy or want to exaggerate their importance. Be wary of cybersecurity technology that seems to randomly throw up warnings before asking you to pay for an upgrade.
5. Doesn’t Spy on You
Sadly, at least one leading antivirus program has been caught spying on users. Research your antivirus software before downloading it to avoid sharing your data with marketers or bad actors. Find antivirus software from a renowned anti-malware cybersecurity company with a good reputation.
6. Uninstall Protection
Remote users who control your computer using a backdoor will first uninstall your antivirus software before infecting your computer with malware that extorts you for money, like ransomware. To stay in control of your security, you need cybersecurity tools with Tamper Protection features. Such features prevent bad actors from removing your computer’s defense mechanisms.
These are six features of top antivirus software. When it comes to cybersecurity, there’s no need to compromise.
