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Antivirus software is a critical need for all computers, especially when you rely on them for your business. How do you know which one to use? What factors should effect your decision?

Why do you need antivirus anyhow?

Hackers and viruses have grown more sophisticated over the years, right along with technology. No longer is malware just self-replicating viruses or hackers after data. Malware can now erase all your information, spread it online, or worse, hijack your system entirely and demand money for unlocking it. Any malware opens you up to fines and lawsuits from regulators and clients. A data breach could cost you thousands, especially if you’re in the medical field. HIPAA and HITECH have teeth, and those teeth hit you directly in the wallet.

Paid vs Free:

While there are many people who choose to use unpaid antivirus on their home computers, there are far fewer who do so at work. This is because a loss of business data is a far more serious issue than the loss of personal data. While it might upset or inconvenience you to lose personal photos or a long-held music collection, losing business data will cost you money, time, and possibly clients.

A free antivirus program, in general, will only scan when told to scan. It will also, in general, only run while it has an internet connection. This means that most of the time, it will be catching threats after the fact. Some do offer active scanning, but they often come with pop-ups demanding you upgrade to the paid version or bog down your system. In contrast, a paid virus monitoring software, such as Avast, will monitor your computer in real time. Real time monitoring can warn about suspicious links before you allow them to load. It can also scan all incoming email, and continue to monitor your PC even while offline. Even better, the right paid antivirus program can allow remote monitoring and support. Your IT support can see, block, and remove threats in real time.

How do I pick a paid Antivirus software, when there are so many to choose from?

It’s very true that there are many paid antivirus programs. Some, such as McAfee and Norton, were once lauded as the most reliable but have that lost reputation over time. Some have been implicated in national security scandals. Many of them are from companies you’ve never heard of. How best to choose? Ask an expert!

We here at Problem 86 have been in the computer and IT security business for 15 years. We’ve researched every option, factored in cost, benefits, and tested many programs along the way. We’re happy to recommend Avast Antivirus. It has all the features needed for a solid, reliable antivirus program, and none of the bloat that bogs your computer down. Call us today, and we will make sure you have what you need to stay safe from hackers, malware, lawsuits, and regulators.