Protect Your Virtual World by:Francis Regan
Technology is definitely very seductive
Technology is definitely very seductive. The thrill of getting more into newer technologies and the wow factor of sleeker design are irresistible. But as we all know, every step we take has some drawbacks. Definitely as tech-lovers, consumers must ensure that every gadget we have offers a safe and enjoyable experience.
But what about the Internet, the most happening place for crowds under any generation. Many people use internet for various purposes such as social networking, buying tickets, net-banking, etc. Well, internet can be quite risky if you do not have the right security. With hackers and malicious software evolving everyday to get you private data or get into your PC, you are forever at risk of identity theft, phishing or PC getting crashed. There have been several instances where the web user's credit card details have been used to shop online and people have paid huge bills for items they have never purchased. While, one can only hope to never be victimized. So, as a consumer we need to be proactively taking steps towards keeping our PC and family safe.
As many software giant's fight against these problems, it is our duty to use our options properly and select them accordingly. Microsoft, the world's largest software company has taken several measures to ensure secure computing with its antivirus suites. These suites are created in such a way that it does not interrupt while we work, play and browse.
A computer which does not have any antivirus is not just vulnerable; it's probably been infected already. New viruses, spywares, trojans, worms, and other malwares are created on a daily basis. New threats are disguised to bypass other security measures by merely changing the names or formats, and specifically designed to catch you and your PC off guard.
All security software's are different in its own way. Like all consumer products, antivirus software has the good, the bad, and the ugly part. The choices for antivirus protection are many and varied. There are several key points to look for in an antivirus. Some of the key points are,
Level of Protection
While many products tend to offer security to consumers such as multi-layered protection, 360 degree defense or even 100% security, some are certainly more thorough than others. The best antivirus must have all the traditional protection from viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware, and must also provide defense against keyloggers, phishing scams, email-borne threats and rootkits. No antivirus suites can give complete protection against hackers but they should protect the PC from as many threats as they can.
Efficiency
An antivirus is specifically designed to protect your PC and yourself from hackers, so if it doesn't do that well, what good is it? All the features, look and feel, or sleek interface cannot make up for poor performance. As consumers, before we buy any antivirus we look to seek reviews from the industry-standard security software testers and professional security organizations to find the most effective software available and evaluate the overall effectiveness against threats. Mostly general, the highest ranked programs are the most effective.
Installation Process
Security software should not be a trouble to install, and should protect you as soon as possible. From the software download to install, to the first scan; implementing the antivirus software to PC should be quick and made easy.
Usability
Knowing about an antivirus software is quite complex, but that should not require a degree in computer security. The best security programs in the industry have all the high end security features in them, but are easily used by a beginner. Everyday computer users want a security solution that they can install and forget about all the threats; software that doesn't require constant upgrade or have interruptions. The best antivirus software is flexible enough to do exactly what you want, even if that means running by itself without human intervention.
Specifications
A well-rounded antivirus set takes security specifications from good to great. More than look and feel, added features provide security, usability and performance benefits.
Auto updates
Security software's are good as its latest updates. Viruses are being identified by the software and added to the signature databases all the time, so it's important that your virus definition list gets updated on a regular basis. The latest antivirus software's are equipped with automatic updates that run automatically and get all the latest updates required for the PC. The best security providers even send requests to update the antivirus soon as they get a new set of signatures.
Support and Help
The best antivirus software does not require reading an in-depth manual to use, but still has one available. For QA, troubleshooting, and additional help, the best antivirus manufacturers provide superior support both online and offline. Additional support for software's may come in the form of assistance over the phone, email, live chat, or through a number of additional resources.
About the author
Francis Regan authors numerous articles on consumer related issues.Francis Regan works for consumerdaddy website. Together, their mission is to spread consumer awareness. Consumerdaddy provides India's largest consumer awareness portal with consumer reports on 40000 companies and 200000 products.
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