VPN vs Antivirus: What You Need To Know

Online security has become more essential than ever before as cybercrime continues to rise, especially in the United Kingdom. The 2023 Cybercrime report indicated a 41% increase in these criminal activities, with over 7 million people losing their money to online fraud or hacking. Furthermore, financial losses associated with cybercrimes were reported to surpass £4.1 billion. According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey conducted by the UK government, 39% of the businesses in the UK faced cyber attacks at some point last year, with the common form being phishing attacks.

To safeguard personal information, most companies and individuals use VPNs (virtual private networks) or antivirus software. These technologies differ greatly in terms of their features and how they work, but both are designed to keep your data private.

What Is An Antivirus Software, And What Does It Do?

On the other hand, antivirus software is an application that prevents, detects, and removes malware and viruses present in a computer or mobile device. They have been designed to monitor the system actively or at set periods to find and stop threats before they inflict damage. Most of the modern anti-virus solutions available on the market include even more advanced options. These can range from firewalls to phishing protection and even the ability to clean the computer of potentially unwanted programs.

What Are The Benefits of An Antivirus?

Here are a few benefits of antivirus software:

• Antivirus programs are low maintenance and usually run in the background.

• Most good antivirus programs are free.

• Sandbox mode allows you to open a suspicious file without risking infection.

What Are The Drawbacks Of An Antivirus?

When it comes to an antivirus, there is only one main drawback:

• Some free antivirus programs attempt to monetise their users.

What Is a VPN, And What Does It Do?

A VPN is a service that works by obscuring your browsing activity by encrypting your Internet connection. When you are using the Internet with a VPN, your information is sent to a server via a tunnel which is safe and encrypted, and the server, in turn, accesses the sites that you want to use. By concealing your actual IP location, hackers, advertisers and third parties are unable to access your information or see your online activity.

What Are The Benefits Of a VPN?

A VPN does have a few benefits, such as:

• Masking your IP address.

• Protecting your data.

• Enhancing security and privacy.

• Covering multiple devices.

What Are The Drawbacks Of a VPN?

A VPN does have a few drawbacks, such as:

• Potentially decreasing your internet speed.

• High-quality VPNs requiring a monthly or annual fee.

What Is The Difference Between VPN And Antivirus?

Both are programs that are installed on your devices, but they focus on different areas when it comes to securing and protecting information online.

Range Of Protection

While VPN’s can keep your location and browsing activity unknown, it can’t protect your device from any malicious threats. It targets the data while it is being transmitted between networks, but it can’t stop a virus from entering the device’s system. Conversely, antivirus software works to protect your device from internal threats but it isn’t able to secure the connection itself.

Main Objective

The purpose of a VPN is to safeguard your information and privacy while using the Internet. It is especially useful to have if you need to use a public Wi-Fi network. Hackers commonly use these to access personal data such as passwords and financial details. Additionally, VPNs are also used to access content that may otherwise be restricted in certain regions. You can choose to set your location to one that supports the content that you are trying to view, and this way you can bypass geographical restrictions.

Extent Of Data Security

When using a VPN, your data is encrypted which makes it inaccessible to third parties even if they attempt to intercept it between networks. If you already have a virus or malware on your device, it won’t be able to pick that up or remove it. Antivirus programs usually run in the background of your devices to continuously scan for any suspicious activity from applications or downloads. If something unusual is detected, it will block the program or remove it entirely before it infects the device.

Is A VPN An Alternative to Antivirus?

VPNs are a type of safeguarding software designed to provide a secure and private internet connection. While they do enhance online security, they are not a direct defense against all online threats. By encrypting your data, particularly on unsecured public Wi-Fi, VPNs reduce the risk of cyber threats and help prevent hackers from accessing personal information. Many also include features like ad-blocking, which can further protect against malware by blocking harmful ads and pop-ups. However, VPNs and antivirus software serve different purposes. Just as antivirus software doesn’t secure your internet connection, VPNs aren’t designed to protect against viruses. While they can reduce the likelihood of infection, relying solely on a VPN for virus protection isn’t enough.

What If You Don’t Use a VPN Or Antivirus?

If you choose not to use a VPN or antivirus software, it leaves both your devices and online activity vulnerable to unauthorised access. Without a VPN, hackers are able to intercept your information and your location is made known which third parties can use for targeted advertising. Similarly, not having antivirus software allows viruses and malware to infect your devices and can result in a complete loss of control of it. Moreover, cybercriminals can hack into the device to access personal information and can use it for identity fraud.

Which One Do You Need: VPN vs Antivirus Software?

If your primary objective is to shield your IP address, online traffic, and geographic location to enhance secure communication online, or to work on a protected network even while accessing unsecured public Wi-Fi, or even to optimise your streaming and gaming experiences, the various uses of VPNs may better serve your needs.

However, for those prioritising defence against viruses and other cyber threats, antivirus software may be a more effective solution. Even though VPNs and antivirus software are designed for different functions, they can work together to work as a strengthened security system. Having the dual protection of both programs can significantly reduce the chances of cybercrime and offer peace of mind while using the Internet or simply using your device.