Almost 68% of the global population uses the Internet, according to a report by Statista. From mobile devices to laptops, each person in one household can have an average of two to three devices, whether it’s for work or personal use. This makes your personal information more susceptible to falling into the wrong hands, or stolen and used for criminal activity.
Anti-virus programmes have been to designed to protect your devices from potential threats, including malware, ransomware and hackers. They can offer a safer browsing experience by detecting suspicious websites that could steal your data, or make your information accessible to cybercriminals. But can you stick to a free anti-virus software, or are you better off paying for one to protect yourself?
What Does Anti-Virus Software Do?
Whether you’re using a paid or free programme, the point of the software is to keep your information safe from cybercriminals. Some may have more features than others, especially if you are using a free version. But in a nutshell, these programmes will block any potential harmful content, alert you if there is any suspicious activity on your devices and continuously check for anything that shouldn’t be there.
The Benefits Of Free Anti-Virus Software
Anti-virus programmes that are free of charge can provide basic protection features, which you may think is enough to keep you and your information protected. There are plenty of free programmes that you can choose from, which can cover you from common threats.
They Are Cost-Effective
This is naturally the biggest draw to free anti-virus software, especially for those who may not be able to avoid the premium programmes. Unless you use your devices for work purposes and your company may offer to pay the anti-virus monthly subscription for you, choosing free options can still keep you protected while browsing the Internet.
You Are Still Protected
If you don’t regularly use the Internet too often, basic protection from free programmes may be sufficient enough for you. Free anti-virus software can still detect threats and malware in real-time, as well as remove them from your devices. If you are happy to just have the basic features, then a free programme is an option for you.
They Are User-Friendly
Free anti-virus software has been designed to be used by just about everybody, even those who may not be as tech-savvy as others. They are straightforward to use and easy to navigate. Also, they usually offer automatic updates for you to always remain protected, and you don’t need to worry about renewing any paid subscriptions.
You Can Use It As A Free Trial
Most paid programmes will offer a free trial version first, so you can test out a few to see which one is right for you before paying for it. Different software will have different features, and you may not know which one suits you best until you try out a few before making your final choice.
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Where Anti-Virus Programmes Fall Short
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and this is true even for anti-virus software. Free programmes don’t always have the capabilities of their premium counterparts, and you could be selling yourself short when it comes to protecting sensitive information.
Limited Features
These programmes will offer basic protection for your devices, but it usually stops there. Cybercrime has become incredibly sophisticated in recent years, and cybercriminals are constantly refining what they do. Free programmes usually don’t have strong enough firewalls or features for secure browsing, which can make you an easy target.
Use Of Advertisements
Companies that offer free software still need to generate some sort of income, and they often charge other businesses to display their adverts on the programmes. This can become frustrating for users to constantly have ads popping up, and can interfere with the overall user experience.
Issues With Data Privacy
Aside from using adverts, these free programmes will also typically sell the data that they collect from users as another means of income. This raises the issue of privacy concerns, as your information is sold to third parties without your knowledge or consent.
Limited Customer Support
Free anti-virus programmes need to keep their costs low, so they usually have very limited customer support or none at all. If you do find yourself implicated in a breach of privacy or a target of cybercrime, there may not be the necessary assistance you need to get help or resolve it before it escalates.
Paid Vs Free Anti-Virus Software
Whether you want to have a paid or free programme, the choice is entirely up to you. The decision will largely depend on how much personal information you store on your devices and what you use the Internet for. If you use it for occasional browsing, you can get away with using a free software. However, having a premium programme will give you peace of mind that your information will always be protected.
