What is Virus?
Virus is a type of malware(any malicious software is called a malware) that
can attach itself to any other software and can replicate itself to infect
other files and softwares of the target system. Different kind of Virus can
behave differently but most common attributes of a virus is to be able to
destroy data, slow down the computer and even log keystrokes.
Why do only Windows users need antivirus? Are Linux and MacOS some kind of 'Super Operating System' that can't be affected by viruses?
Usually when it comes to Viruses, only Windows users seems to be worried.
It is not like that Mac and Linux users can't get a computer virus, their
user base is relatively small. More than 70% of PC users worldwide are
running Windows. So it is easier and more beneficial for cyber-criminals to
write virus programs for Windows as there is a higher probability of human
error. MacOS has a pretty isolated ecosystem and Linux users are often
nerds, so it is not so easy to get those users to install third party
malicious softwares.
How can one get viruses?
The biggest vulnerability of any computer is often the human user. Viruses
can replicate itself but it needs human intervention to transfer itself onto
other computer. These are the most common ways people get their system
infected
- Using their external/removable device to copy files from public computer(cafe, library PC) - Those public computers are usually infected and if you copy something from them, you most probably are copying the viruses too.
- Clicking misleading ads and downloading whatever they're offering - Well established websites often use legitimate ad services and contain safe to click ads. But some dodgy websites(often the ones offering pirated softwares) use ads from that might not be safe.
- Installing pirated softwares - Who doesn't like free software? Even I like free softwares. But free softwares tend to have some limitations. People are tempted to use pirated softwares to remove those limitations. Therefor they end up installing an infected software.
Getting infected from email was once one of biggest reason to get infected
but email service providers are evolved so much that they can filter
suspicious links and files.
Antivirus - What it "can" do and what it "can't" do?
In early days, Antivirus softwares used to come with very little
capabilities. There used to be different softwares for removing virus,
removing spywares, internet security, etc. But these days a good Antivirus
must have all those features to attract the consumer. In other words, they
are more powerful than ever. But still they are not fool proof way to
protect the system, user can still tell them that the file is safe and
install it. Or they can just temporarily disable the antivirus to install
the infected software. So an Antivirus software can detect and warn
the user about an infected or potentially dangerous file but it
cannot stop the user to override itself.
What are the best Antivirus Softwares?
Honestly, I'm not an expert on these softwares so I'll leave that decision
on the experts. But I can still summarise the lists released by those
experts. So here are the best Antivirus softwares that often make top 5 in
those lists, a regular PC user won't go wrong with any of these choices.
(Note: most of them also offer smartphone protection suite)
Best Paid Antivirus
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
- Norton 360
- Avira Prime
- McAfee Antivirus Plus
- Kaspersky Antivirus
Best Free Antivirus
- Bitdefender Free
- Kaspersky Free
- Avast Free
- Avira Free
- Panda Free
Note: Even though Android OS is based on Linux and are less likely to get infected by a virus, it is not totally immune to other form of Malwares. Android allows installing third party apps, so installing 'modded' apps and games are very common. But those apps/games may contain malwares. Basically if you don't install apk files downloaded from suspicious websites you will be fine. However, Android antiviruses come with additional perks like VPN, AppLock, Internet security, etc. So you may benefit from getting one.
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