MARCH 2020 • TECH ADVISOR 53You could, for example, visit a website that
unintentionally displays malicious ads. Or accidentally
clickona phishingemail(ithappens).Orgetstung
byazero-day threat, where an undisclosed bug in
Windows, your browser, or an installed program gives
hackers entry to your system.
We’re not suggesting that PC security software is
fool-proof. Antivirus software often can’t do much to
stop zero-day exploits, for example. But it can detect
when the undisclosed vulnerability is used to install
other nasty bits, like ransomware, on your machine.
Anyone who actively uses email, clicks on links, and
downloads programs will benefit from an antivirus suite.
Our recommendations strike a balance between
excellent protection, a worthwhile selection of features,
and minimal impact on your PC’s performance.
What to look for in an antivirus suite
There are three basic requirements that an antivirus
suite needs:
- Highdetectionrateformalwareand other threats
- Lowimpactonsystemresources
- An easy-to-use interface
That’s not all to consider, however. These days,
many security suites come with extras such as a backup
service for your most essential files, Android apps
for mobile security, a more advanced firewall, family
protection (read: child restriction) features, and the right
to use the program on multiple PCs. Whether you need
those extras depends on your personal situation.