What to look for when buying antivirus software

Now, more than ever, the security of your personal devices is absolutely necessary. Due to the global pandemic, more and more people are stuck inside their homes, and so are cyber thieves, trying to wreak havoc in your life. From spreading malware onto your computers to stealing your private data, these cybercriminals won’t think twice if they find security holes in your equipment.

It is imperative that you choose the best defending software for your computers and mobile phones to follow the safety protocols and secure your sensitive information.1 Emerging threats of viruses and malware make you even more vulnerable without an antivirus program.

There are several such antivirus companies in the market, however, few are worthy of your consideration. A Security Software has to be reliable, robust, advanced, and convenient. It all depends on the company, whether they comply with these features or not.

Unfortunately, not all security companies follow the same belief and system. With security start-ups and even antivirus freeware providers, consumers have to do their own research and decide if they are trustworthy.

Choosing the perfect security software for your devices may seem challenging, but understanding what features your computer requires, and which companies provide similar facilities can make it easier.2

There are a few factors to consider while buying antivirus software. Following is a list of similar points to keep in mind as you shop for one:

1. Free or paid?

Cost is a crucial part of the decision-making process. While free always sounds great, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Most free antivirus software delivers only the most basic services, which may not fully guard your devices, and sometimes, they are probably riddled with adware and other software. You might have to upgrade to the paid version to get comprehensive protection. Some software are free often because they collect your information and sell it to third-party groups.

2. Speed vs. performance

Although antivirus software is perceived to be heavy, intrusive software that may slow down a device, new technologies have resolved many speed and performance issues. But then, too, performance outweighs speed. So make sure your antivirus software does a thorough job and doesn’t compromise protection for the sake of speed. All it takes is one overlooked piece of malware that can bring down your whole system.

3. Compatibility with all versions of every device you own

You probably use more than one device, such as computers, smartphones, and so on.3 It will be impractical to purchase different software for all your equipment. That’s why always buy security and antivirus software that helps protect all the versions of every device you own.

4. Customer service and support

Before you put your trust in your antivirus software, make sure the company has a reputation for dealing with the changing threat landscape and for rapidly developing solutions to combat emerging threats. Better still, pick a company that responsively updates and informs customers about critical safety issues, offers excellent customer support, and includes a 100% money-back guarantee.

5. Comprehensive protection from threats

Security and antivirus software should not only help protect you from well-known viruses and malware, but also be able to detect other dangers. Lesser-known threats, including harmful downloads, threats embedded in USB drives, and viruses attached to emails and messages, should be no exception.

Since cybercrime spares no one, the antivirus software you decide to use on your device must provide all-round protection from various risks and threats.

6. Privacy Policy

It may be hard to believe, but some of the most popular security software manufacturers also share your personal information on a large scale. It’s important you consider looking into whom you’re giving your data to and where it is being transferred or sold. Reading the privacy policy of the software company and questioning confusion about their data access may help you learn more about how legitimate the antivirus is.

7. Free Trial Policy

A security software that provides free trials can help you decide if it is appropriate for your devices or not. Often, antiviruses do not offer complete accessibility to all the features in a free trial. Look for software that lets you take a thorough peek into their service first, making it easier for you to decide whether you should purchase it or not.

8. Payment terms

Before purchasing an antivirus, it’s crucial to inspect the payment terms of that company. Most manufacturers offer yearly subscriptions for security services, along with additional charges that you must look into. Consider inquiring about the efficiency of the software along with payment terms, such as if regular upgrades increase the price, whether the free-trial duration is enough, if the purchased software is the latest version, and so on. Only proceed with the purchase if both the service and price are reasonable.

Be smart, choose Norton Antivirus Software

If you are thinking of buying security and antivirus software, do consider Norton Security Premium, which comes with PC cloud backup and family safety features. Norton Security is highly recommended by Andreas Marx, the CEO of AV-TEST, an independent laboratory that conducts comparative tests and reviews for antivirus software, anti-malware tools, and security software for Windows, Mac, and Android. In a series of 2016 tests, Norton Security scored a perfect 6 out of 6.

Awards and accolades aside, Norton Security products are made for you, your family, and the people you care about.4 With over a quarter-century of experience safeguarding customers’ physical devices or the personal information on them, Norton software is committed to enabling people to explore the online realm confidently.

The Norton team educates and alerts their customers about digital dangers that have the potential to harm them. Their responsibilities are taken very seriously and have high professional standards. The fight against cybercrime is real, and Norton believes its customers and partners should never feel victimized.

1 https://in.norton.com/blog/how-to/ten-ways-to-keep-your-data-private.html

2 https://in.norton.com/blog/iot/protecting/privacy/on-connected-devices.html

3 https://in.norton.com/norton-family

4 https://in.norton.com/norton-family