Have you tried to search for an antivirus software download in Google today? You must have discovered that there are already hundreds of them. They come in different forms and sizes. But—and it’s a big one—there are also a number of them that are not worth downloading or even buying at all.
It is thus very essential that you can learn to compare antivirus software using the following factors:
- Effectiveness. More than anything else, you want an antivirus software download that really works. This means that it can prevent and get rid of as many types of viruses as possible. It should be your perfect partner of keeping your PC healthy. How easy can it detect threats in my PC? Can it easily quarantine them, or do I have to do it manually?
- Control. We are all control freaks. Though we want our antivirus software download to be as user-friendly as it can be, we also like it to give us a lot of usage control. Perhaps you want to set its update schedule, or you like to do the scanning by yourself. There are programs that slow down computer activities when it performs this function, so you want to take the reins. Parents may also like to tinker with parental controls. This is so they can prevent their children from visiting websites or downloading programs that could be harmful to your computers. There are also a number of antivirus software downloads that permit you to tweak the features. Perhaps you don’t need a number of them, and you like to keep them hidden unless necessary.
- Price. Price will always be one of the fundamental factors in our “Should I use this or not?” mind-set. If you don’t want to spend for anything, you can always go for the free versions. They are also quick to install, and few of them are completely safe, such as Norton Antivirus and AVG. But their functions can also be very limited, and sooner, they will just stop functioning at all. If you want complete protection for your PC, regardless if you’re using it for personal or business reasons, better stick with paid ones. You can even get free upgrades. You will also have comprehensive features and unlimited access and control over them.
- Updates. Updates are mandatory, because every day a new virus is being introduced in the World Wide Web. If the antivirus software download doesn’t have this one, then it will not be able to detect these new threats. Upgrades can either be done manually, which means you’re going to schedule it, or automatically. It’s also ideal to pick a software that is capable of detecting spyware too.
- Customer Support. There’s no such thing as a perfect antivirus software download. You will need the help of a technical support agent later. You should be provided with one immediately, and you must have several options, including phone, e-mail, or chat.