Are you worried that there’s too much of your personal information on the internet? Are you scared by the growing number of news reports of large companies getting hacked? Well, you’re not alone. The fear of being hacked is expected now that almost everyone on the planet carries a device that can access the internet.
When there is a problem, there will be a solution, and that solution is an antivirus. Look at any PCProtect review, and you’ll come across users that are curious as to how many problems an antivirus can solve and even how many risks there are from the internet. In this article, we’ll take a look at the numerous risks you can face on the internet and how antivirus can be a saving grace.
Malware
Malware is the blanket term for any addition to a virus placed in your system by an outside party. Malware can occur in many shapes and forms and have a varied way of compromising your system.
Luckily, an antivirus is first and foremost programmed to detect any malware by merely keeping a vigilant eye on all your system processes and detecting the outliers. Once found, these outliers and any places they may have frequented in your system are thoroughly cleaned without compromising the existing files.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that aims to monitor your system functions even while working on it. This means that Spyware can access any password, banking credential, or even card details. All you have to do is type anything, and the spyware will send your key’s inputs to the third party.
Every time you log your password into a website or when you’re typing your card details to a family member, the spyware will send this information, and your entire system will be compromised. Antivirus can detect any overlay or input memory save files to a wrong party and notify your system for a scan until the spyware is removed.
Adware
Adware is a relatively old form of malware that is gaining more traction each year. Remember all those annoying ads on unverified websites. Even if you click on the close button, these ads can make their way into your system and overload it with pop-ups and banners. Antivirus can detect adware as they monitor your system while browsing and immediately block any unknown source infiltration.
Data Interception
Many times, you are being monitored while surfing the web. There will be no malware or hacking attempts, but someone in the background might monitor all your web activity to gather information.
Your antivirus will detect nothing as they are merely piggy-backing on your IP and aren’t causing any immediate harm. Luckily, most antivirus comes with a VPN that allows you to hide your IP address and browse the web anonymously.
Phishing
The most significant risk of the internet is that anyone can masquerade as any entity or individual they desire. If you’re a serial surfer, you’re no doubt plagued by e-mails from the IRS or your bank requesting you to “update” certain information.
Once you comply with these mails, the hackers have everything they need. Antivirus solutions are built to detect phishing attempts and will continuously prompt and block any source that it deems unverified or potentially dangerous.
Web Page Risks
Only a tiny handful of websites on the internet are verified and risk-free, and it takes a lot of money and workforce to keep them that way. This means that 2 out of 4 unknown websites you visit have malware just waiting to infiltrate your system.
Any good antivirus will detect these risks before you even get to the website by blocking your access with a warning. You can still go ahead and ignore the warning, but that’s on you.
Trojans
As one of the most notorious forms of viruses, Trojans have earned their notoriety as they operate very similar to the famous Greek myth. They can lie in your system in the guise of friendly software and will not do anything suspicious until it knows that your antivirus isn’t searching for any risks, and then they strike.
Fortunately, most antivirus made today will be specifically programmed to detect Trojans’ unstable behavior and immediately take protective measures whether there is a clear risk or not.
The Outlook
The recent PCProtect review brought to light many problems that users face when surfing, even safe and friendly websites. Viruses and hackers are evolving every second, and antivirus needs to grow with them. Make sure you go for an antivirus that continually updates and notifies you of new and potential risks on the internet.