Installing an antivirus means installing software that will monitor the behavior of your system and potentially have an impact on its performance. And like all the good advice we hear everywhere, we ask ourselves the question of its validity. Is an antivirus really useful? Isn’t it enough to just pay attention to what we do on the Internet? You can also use a Mac – they seem to be safe from viruses and malware! It will be understood, there are many received ideas on the subject and if it is possible to do without an antivirus on your machine, the most important thing is above all to know and measure the consequences of this choice. . Because no device is immune to security vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals, and no user is vigilant enough to evade all attempts to steal personal data. We explain exactly what an antivirus is for and what threats it can protect you against.
Antivirus: what does this well-known software protect against?
The term “antivirus” is somewhat misleading. The virus is a very old type of malware, which existed even before the Internet and was transmitted via floppy disks. A virus is exactly what its name suggests: it is software that is transmitted from PC to PC, for example over the network or an external device. Antivirus protects against much more varied types of threats. For example, you can block spyware, or spyware, whose purpose is to monitor user activity and steal personal data. An antivirus uses an engine that can detect suspicious activity and block a site that looks real. If you are not careful, it is easy to be deceived. Ransomware is one of the most talked about threats in recent years. Ransomware usually targets folders that include documents or images. They modify them by applying an encryption algorithm, making them accessible. To unlock them, you need a key, which the attackers claim to give you for ransom, which is not necessarily true. An antivirus will monitor sensitive folders and prevent these changes. In the event of an attack, it can also help you revert to a previous version via a backup. Trojans are another well-known threat: a Trojan horse is legitimate-seeming software that hides malware that can . spam emails, and you can block pop-up ads and “tracking” scripts.
Why install an antivirus (the reasons)?
An antivirus performs several functions. The first is to scan your system for threats already present? It scans all areas of memory and disk and detects viruses, trojans and other malware that may be there. An antivirus can also scan other devices, such as USB sticks or external hard drives.
The other function is preventative and is to monitor your system. The antivirus is installed in the heart and runs in the background. Real-time protection analyzes operations and can block operations it deems malicious, even before they realize their misdeeds. An antiphishing module can also have a database of malicious sites and prevent you from accessing them, or block access to email attachments that may contain viruses.
Is antivirus mandatory on your computer?
This is the big question, and in general no, an antivirus is not mandatory and you can use your computer without having it installed. Also, even without installing an antivirus in Windows 11 or macOS, we have basic protection. Windows integrates Windows Defender, Microsoft’s antivirus, which is still effective. MacOS activates several security mechanisms by default: the only applications that can be installed are those from the Mac App Store and those with a certificate signed by Apple, which limits the risks. Apps are regularly scanned for malicious code.
So what is an antivirus for? Just to gain serenity. If you do not have such software, you should be vigilant and know if the sites you are connecting to are risk-free. You cannot download any file without thinking about the consequences. You should avoid certain activities that can be potentially dangerous. In short, you must do the work that an antivirus can do for you, allowing you to be calm. If you’re familiar with PCs, Macs, or mobile devices, you may be at less risk. On the other hand, your less “informed” loved ones will need one more antivirus as a safety net.
Mac and macOS: machines that don’t need antivirus?
You’d think the Mac doesn’t need antivirus, because that’s a statement that’s been true. Instead, in 2023 and for a few years we can no longer say that. While Windows continues to be more exposed due to its much larger market share, Mac’s is making progress and the platform is therefore of greater interest to cybercriminals. So you can no longer say that a Mac is immune to viruses and even ransomware, and especially if you’re using an older Mac that doesn’t have access to the latest versions of macOS, you may need antivirus software to navigate it. Internet with peace of mind.
Is antivirus enough to protect yourself online?
An antivirus, no matter how good it is, is not infallible, not even when it comes to protecting against malware. Malware can go undetected, and that’s completely normal. Malware writers and antivirus vendors play cat and mouse games, and cybercriminals are constantly finding ways to evade antivirus protection mechanisms. On the other hand, a large number of threats appear every day and may target an unknown flaw.
Also, vigilance is always required. While antivirus can detect fraudulent sites, again, that’s not an exact science, and if you download software that looks legitimate and it steals your data, or if you connect to a site that asks for credentials and then exploits it for malicious purposes, you’re also in danger. above. to read the terms of use, or not to click the “Next” button repeatedly without paying attention to all the messages.
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Source: BFM TV
