Whether you’re looking at improving the security of your personal or professional computers, it can be tricky to understand why a security suite is necessary when most modern computer packages already include components such as an antivirus and a firewall.
However, these built-in features aren’t as effective as third-party vendors in preventing outside programmes from breaching your network. To help you choose which products might be best for you, read on to find out more about the three main kinds of security products and what they do.
Anti-virus software
Whilst SSL certificates are a great way to build confidence in consumers it is vital to have more than one layer of security to protect your private data. A very basic computer virus transferred via an email, an infected USB memory stick or by clicking on a malicious link can wreak havoc on your system in seconds, corrupting, deleting or replicating private data to devastating effect.
An anti-virus package will regularly scan your computer’s memory for suspicious patterns that suggest ‘infection’ and remove them at the source. To ensure the software stays at its most effective you must update it regularly by scheduling automatic updates. The best antivirus software available this year includes Avast Free Antivirus, Avira Free Antivirus and Kaspersky Antivirus.
Firewall software
Many people neglect to invest in Firewall software because of the basic hardware version created when you connect to the web via a router. However, without Firewall software to monitor and filter your computer’s traffic, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. The best Firewall software to invest in this year includes Agnitum’s Outpost Free Edition and the Comodo Personal Firewall. Always remember that after installing your Firewall you will need to tweak it to prevent it blocking files that you do want to download.
Anti-spyware software
Antispyware software is necessary to protect you from particularly insidious malware files known as Trojans. Often hidden within a harmless-looking file or masquerading as an antivirus tool,a Trojan aims to trick you in to installing spyware and adware. Spyware packages have become particularly advanced in recent years, monitoring your activity and collecting personal data to send back to the creator. Whilst anti-spyware software does a good job of protecting your computer by detecting and removing suspicious files, it is also a good idea to use a pop-up blocker and delete any unused programmes that might be harbouring spyware. The best antispyware software available this year includes Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Ad-Aware Free Antivirus and Spybot Search and Destory.
Recovery programs
Although it goes without saying that regularly backing up your data is a must, if you do find yourself having lost some valuable files to malware, try data recovery services such as Restoration, Recuva and PC Inspector to attempt to recover some of your documents.
Remember: whichever software you pick, always do your research and visit the official company site to download it. Avoid third party sites that come up during in a web search asyou could end up making your computer vulnerable to dangerous malware disguised as security products.