Virus Attacks
Virus attacks are currently more rampant, with most attacks affecting users utilizing free virus software programs. The best way to guard against virus attacks is by carrying out a virus check on any file, data, or programs you download or receive from an external source. You can use the free version of antivirus if you cannot afford the premium antivirus solution. This article dives into the benefits and drawbacks of using free antivirus.
An unguarded computer is open to viruses, which harm your computer system, files, and data in various ways, including the following.
- It slows down your browsing device, for instance, computers and smartphones.
- The virus can delete or destroy files
- It can reformat a hard disk
- It causes a computer to crash frequently computer crushes very frequently
- It causes data loss
- Renders a computer useless as you cannot use the infected computer to perform any task
Benefits of Free Antivirus for Virus Check
Free antivirus software has the following advantages.
1. Price
Free antivirus versions are not paid for; you find the software online and download it into your computers, laptops, or any browsing device. You do not incur any costs, and you enjoy standard virus protection. This feature attracts numerous users who are looking for simple virus protection.
2. Good basic virus defense
One would expect free antivirus not to offer meaningful protection from virus attacks. Free antivirus provides a descent guard against virus attacks. They can detect and remove any virus trying to access your computer device to steal passwords and other valuable personal data. It guards the files and data stored within your computer system. Hence, you enjoy some level of protection from the free antivirus software.
3. Free access to a variety of products
Numerous antivirus solution providers are present online. You have a wide variety to choose from, meaning you can try out as many as possible until you find one that serves all your protection needs. You do this without using any money. The free antivirus provides an excellent trying ground for the virus that you finally settle on and decide to upgrade to premium.
Drawbacks of Free Antivirus for Virus Check
Like any other good thing, free antivirus software presents the following limitations.
1. Devoid of complete virus protection
The free versions of antivirus are free, meaning the providers do not benefit from them. The providers only provide essential protection, which leaves you vulnerable to virus attacks. Also, free antivirus versions can only detect particular forms of viruses, which means you have to get another protective feature to boost your safety. For instance, you will be forced to have a firewall to double up the scans of files entering your computer devices.
Suppose you are going to a site for the first time or downloading files or programs you are unsure of to your computer. In that case, a free antivirus will not provide maximum protection, and you may infect your computer systems with a virus. Also, hackers are continuously developing new viruses, malware, and Trojans. Free antivirus cannot recognize new viruses, meaning a new virusfinds its way to a computer system.
2. Bothersome upgrade prompts
Antivirus program providers provide free antivirus versions as a form of marketing to numerous internet users. They only offer essential protection and will constantly prompt you to upgrade to the premium version to enjoy comprehensive virus protection. They entice you with the benefits you stand to gain by upgrading, which may finally cause you to upgrade to premium antivirus versions. Moreover, you will get prompts telling you that your security has been compromised and that you need to check or upgrade to get better features. Those could be viruses masked as authentic prompts.
3. Lack of customer support
Free versions of antivirus limit the help you can receive from an antivirus provider. You do not have access to customer support while using free antivirus versions because a company would not be interested in spending more of its resources on a free service.
You may experience a technical hitch while using free antivirus versions and may require help solving it. You will be forced to find help from the antivirus knowledge bases or online forums. The lack of customer support may cause you to upgrade to a premium version, especially if the problem you wanted help with had something to do with a virus threat to your devices.
4. Irritating advertisements
In addition to the premium antivirus solutions, antivirus software providers must find ways to generate more income. The most typical way to make extra income is through advertisements, which often destroy the customer experience. So, if customers were considering upgrading to the premium version, they would be put off by the irritating advertisements.
Conclusion
Performing a regular virus check is the surest way to protect your computer systems from a virus attack. You can use the free or paid versions of antivirus. Both can scan and detect viruses, but the free version is less effective than the paid version. If you are a first-time antivirus user, you can assess the free version by analyzing the benefits and drawbacks before settling on it.
