Time flies, but it’s been more than 20 years since the first massive virus attacks hit our PCs, once running Windows XP. And we can say that at the time it was mandatory, and even urgent, to install an antivirus on your machine if you did not want to be infested with intrusive ads, unwanted applications or worse. Since then, things have changed considerably. Systems have strengthened their protection against threats, and mobile devices, still much more blocked than a PC, have taken up more and more space in our digital life. So one might think that it is no longer essential or mandatory to use an antivirus in 2023. True, this is probably not the case anymore, but installing an antivirus is still highly recommended, especially for users who are not necessarily aware of the risks. that run run.
Antivirus: what is it really for?
An antivirus has two basic functions. The first is to protect the PC from malware. It runs in the background on your PC and monitors your activity in real time: the sites you visit, the files you download or copy to your PC, the applications you install or run. If you download a file that is known by its malware base, it deletes it. If you run malicious code, its heuristic analysis mechanisms detect harmful activity and try to block those actions. If you receive an email that contains a link to a fraudulent site or a suspicious attachment, it warns you of the risks.
The other function of the antivirus is to remove the threats that may be present on your PC. When launching a scan of your system, it scans all the contents of your drives, analyzes the different memory areas where malicious software may be hosted and tries to remove them from the system, which is not always easy because it is always easier to stop it. malware before it commits its misdeeds.
Finally, an antivirus today is often more than just an antivirus, it includes features that can help you speed up your PC startup, update all your software to prevent security vulnerabilities, block access to fraudulent sites and online scams, or block tracking mechanisms established by websites.
Do you really need to install an antivirus?
Today we can say that it is no longer mandatory to install an antivirus. Gone are the days of a newly installed PC being riddled with malware within an hour of being connected to the Internet without protection. Microsoft has added many successive layers of security to versions of Windows, from Vista to Windows 11, and today the system includes antivirus and antiphishing within its web browser, technologies that are already effective enough for basic coverage.
However, it would be equally wrong to say that an antivirus is useless, because no protection is infallible, and it is always good to have an additional safety net. Good practices for using a PC and the Internet are well known: do not download software from any site, be careful with suspicious-looking attachments, make sure you are on the official site of your bank or an administration and not a malicious copy… However, we are never 100% vigilant all the time, and many users always tend to repeatedly click the Next button without asking any questions, or use the password “abcdef1234”.
Antivirus for Mac and macOS: is it necessary?
The Mac was long believed to be immune to viruses and malware, and it’s true that at a time when its market share was small, it was. Those days are over, however: the Mac enjoyed growing success with computers like the MacBook Air, and the “halo” effect of the iPod and iPhone led more and more users to adopt the Mac. However, these users are less vigilant and still consider themselves safe from threats, which is of particular interest to cybercriminals.
We are not going to lie to ourselves: the Mac is much less exposed to viruses, Trojans or ransomware than the Windows PC. In addition, the latest versions of macOS have further tightened the screw on the installation of applications from the Internet and/or that do not include a certificate signed by Apple. Even so, there are threats on Mac, so an antivirus can be useful.
And on smartphone/tablet, do we install an antivirus?
The observation is the same as on PC: we cannot say that an antivirus is essential on mobile. And on iPhone or iPad, in particular, the system is so locked up that it is unlikely to fall victim to malware. On the other hand, Android is more permissive and highlights the possibility of installing applications outside of the Google Play Store, with the risks that this entails.
In addition, a mobile antivirus may also have an interest in protecting the user against fraudulent sites: a fake banking site that steals your information is just as dangerous on PC as it is on mobile. Some Android antiviruses also have interesting anti-theft functions: remote deletion of data, sending alert messages to the thief, or even capturing stealthy photos to try to see their face.
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Source: BFM TV
