If you spend a significant amount of time surfing the internet (and who doesn't these days?) then it's absolutely imperative that you protect your computer from the various threats your online presence opens you up to. Fortunately, it doesn't take much to ensure safe browsing sessions. A bit of common sense coupled with the best antivirus software should do the job very nicely.
Choosing the best antivirus software largely comes down to personal preference, so I'm not going to sit here and debate the merits or demerits of each particular program. Instead, I'm going to tell you which kinds of protective features you should look for, and let you make the final choice on your own. Even though I'm not going to endorse a specific product, I do want to tell you to forget about free programs like AVG, Avira, and Avast. Though these programs have some support in the online community, they are also frequently blamed for missing viruses, not being able to quarantine or remove infections, and not stopping other types of malicious attacks. Yes, you'll save a few bucks by going with one of these free downloads, but your computer will still be fat risk.
Okay, so what about the best antivirus software features that I promised to tell you about? Well, here are some of the things you should definitely look for. First, the program should come with an adequate database of current and past viruses, trojans, and malware, and that database should be updated frequently. This feature is a no-brainer because an out-of-date program will not provide you with the kind of protection you need.
Second, the product should also come with a firewall to protect you against immediate threats while online. This is something you need to be very careful about, as not every program has this capability. Typically, you'll need to upgrade to the "internet security" package rather than just the antivirus software, but the extra money is definitely worth it. A firewall can help protect you against "phishing" sites or other sites that try to install a script as soon as you land on the page.
The best antivirus software programs also have tools that guard against identity theft. These include such things as a virtual keyboard that you can pop out to securely type in passwords, and controlled access to identity data contained in sensitive files on your computer. These are options you certainly won't find in free programs, and you'll be glad to have them at your disposal if someone ever tries to steal your financial data.
Before you go spend money on computer protection, it would pay to make sure you're getting the best antivirus software features in return. A virus can wreak untold havoc on your system, so it's definitely in your best interest to take all necessary precautions right now!
