Free antivirus software is a great choice if you only require basic protection. However, they do not offer the same level of protection as paid solutions. The best free AV software typically has top malware detection rates that are approved by independent labs such as AV Test or AV-Comparatives. However, they don’t have the added extras that are generally included in premium programs. These extras can be vital to ensuring complete online security. They include threat detection for networks VPNs, usage profiles, parental controls, password managers and parental control.
Moreover, free antivirus programs aren’t as frequently as paid solutions as well, which opens up a window of opportunity for spickandspan malware to avoid detection. The majority of free antivirus programs rely on signature detection. This involves checking malware samples against strings of characters that are associated with known attacks. This method is efficient when attackers employ the same patterns. However sophisticated hackers are using techniques which are unique enough to avoid detection.
You should also take into consideration the conditions of use of a particular antivirus software. The majority of free antivirus programs are licensed for personal use, and could not be suitable to business users. Additionally, some free programs might contain software that could be considered adware or spyware therefore they should be downloaded with caution. Paid solutions are more likely to have warranties and guarantees that define what the user can expect in the case of an attack.
